Palm Beach County softball: Who's on top in FHSAA's first rankings of 2023 season?
Along with baseball, the FHSAA released its inaugural power rankings for the 2023 softball season on Monday.
Although the formula for the algorithm has yet to be released after seasons and seasons of deciding the top teams throughout the state, the way Palm Beach County's top softball squads fell revealed at least a couple of factors for how ratings are calculated.
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See where local teams fell in the first listings and get caught up on which games ahead could see a number of crews trading spaces.
Records listed reflect those shown in FHSAA rankings released on Monday, March 28.
Palm Beach County Girls Softball Top 5
1. Jupiter (12-0)
By the numbers: No. 12 overall, No. 2 in Class 7A behind No. 7 overall Lake Brantley, No. 1 in Region 3
The area's lone undefeated squad saw a boost in the rankings thanks to its unblemished record. The Warriors could take a big hit in the rankings should they take a loss due to strength of schedule — or the lack thereof compared with other top programs throughout the state.
At 2.56, Class 4A squad Bishop Moore has the weakest-rated route of opponents in the top 25. Jupiter comes next with a strength rating of 4.98. No. 1 for Class 7A Lake Brantley touts a strength rating of 11.95, and the average strength of schedule for the classification's top 10 teams comes to 10.035.
Who's on deck?
3/30 vs. Boca Raton (4-5), 6:30 p.m.
4/4 vs. Treasure Coast (5-6), 6:30 p.m.
2. Wellington (8-1)
By the numbers: No. 17 overall, No. 4 in Class 7A, No. 2 in Region 3 behind Jupiter, No. 1 in District 12
Wellington could be the squad that stops the streak for Jupiter when hosting its 7A foe next Thursday, set for 6 p.m. Hitting .542, senior Jordan White is leading an offensive lineup that's coming together for a lofty .346 team batting average, all while controlling the game from the circle. She ranks No. 1 in Class 7A and No. 19 in the state with an ERA of 0.69 through eight games, striking out 38 along the way.
Who's on deck?
3/30 vs. South Fork (7-4-1), 6:30 p.m.
4/4 vs. Spanish River, 6 p.m.
3. Park Vista (9-3)
By the numbers: No. 18 overall, No. 5 in Class 7A, No. 1 in Region 4
For many powerhouse programs, a coaching turnover could mean chaos. Fortunately for the Cobras, coaches Louis and George Ortiz are weathering the storm more than well, calmed by such key returning players as state stat leader Nicole Mergen, Chloe Fariello and Isabella LaGreca.
Vista's only losses have been to Stoneman Douglas, Wellington and a spring break tournament matchup with Bishop Verot, each by two runs. Bound to be even more battle-tested by districts in May, a repeat path to the final four doesn't seem out of reach for the Cobras.
Who's on deck?
3/30 vs. American Heritage-Plantation (10-2), 7 p.m.
3/31 at Palm Beach Gardens, 7 p.m.
4. Spanish River (7-2)
By the numbers: No. 55 overall, No. 17 in Class 7A, No. 4 in Region 4, No. 3 in District 13 behind Sebastian River and Park Vista
The Sharks have been riding high on a winning streak since a 9-5 loss to Park Vista in the third game of the year. Sophomore Giselle Portanova has been holding it down offensively and defensively for Spanish River, leading the team with 12 runs and nine stolen bases, plus 31 strikeouts through 28 innings as the go-to starter.
Once senior Isabella Santos is a regular at the plate again, having appeared in only four games this season, expect a spike in scoring for Spanish River. In 13 at-bats, she's accounted for six runs on six hits and a team-high 12 RBIs, highlighted by four home runs.
Who's on deck?
4/5 vs. West Broward (4-1), 6:30 p.m.
5. Dwyer (5-8)
By the numbers: No. 148 overall, No. 25 in Class 6A, No. 6 in Region 3, No. 1 in District 12
Rebuilding Dwyer is still working out the kinks of beating out a demanding schedule. That 10.41 rating is giving the Panthers the algorithm edge over lesser-ranked teams with winning records like Oxbridge, which has a strength rating of 0.07.
However, it's worth noting that the 6A squad fell to top-ranked Jupiter by just one run at the beginning of the month.
Who's on deck?
3/30 vs. Palm Beach Central, 7 p.m.
4/4 vs. Park Vista, 6:30 p.m.
Next Five
Oxbridge (8-3)
By the numbers: No. 153 overall, No. 12 in Class 2A, No. 3 in Region 4, No. 1 in District 13
Palm Beach Central (6-4)
By the numbers: No. 154 overall, No. 38 in Class 7A, No. 6 in Region 3, No. 3 in District 12
Palm Beach Gardens (6-5)
By the numbers: No. 165 overall, No. 40 in Class 7A, No. 8 in Region 3, No. 4 in District 12
Glades Day (5-1)
By the numbers: No. 191 overall, No. 12 in Class 1A, No. 4 in Region 4, No. 2 in District 8 behind No. 35 overall Williston
Seminole Ridge (5-5)
By the numbers: No. 200 overall, No. 33 in Class 6A, No. 7 in Region 3, No. 2 in District 12 behind Dwyer.
Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Who is Palm Beach's top softball team in first rankings of 2023?
