Super 10 Arizona High School softball rankings
With the weather heating up, it’s time for bat and ball sports across the Valley. On the professional front, there’s spring training and the World Baseball Classic. College baseball and softball seasons are well underway. And in high school sports, last week’s basketball championships have moved into the rearview mirror, with baseball and softball stepping to the forefront.
With three weeks of the season in the books, here is The Republic’s first Super 10 rankings of the season.
1. Willow Canyon
Because of the ability for pitchers to pitch game after game in the postseason, there’s no more important asset in high school softball than an unhittable ace. In Marissa McCann, that’s what Willow Canyon has. McCann is striking out 13.7 batters per seven innings and has a 0.74 ERA.
2. Salpointe Catholic, 14-1
There are a handful of undefeated teams below the one-loss Lancers in these rankings, but that’s the buffer room you earn with four straight titles. Plus, Salpointe’s only loss came against Hamilton in a game that derailed because of a fourth inning error. The Lancers, who are led by All-Arizona selection Gianna Mares, may well be the best team in the state.
3. Greenway, 9-3
The way last season ended had to sting for Greenway. The Demons absolutely dominated the regular season before being upset twice by Mingus Union. But they’re back for revenge this year, as evidenced by an 11-3 win over Xavier Prep on the second day of the season. Kaitlyn Terry is one of the best hitters and best pitchers in the state.
4. Hamilton, 9-3
After their upset run to the 6A championship game last year, the Huskies are primed for another big season. Their lineup is ridiculously deep with five starters hitting .400, but the question will be whether they can get enough pitching. The early returns are good — only Red Mountain has beaten them among in-state teams.
5. Basha, 8-1
Since an 8-1 loss to Queen Creek in the opener, Basha has won eight straight, allowing just 11 runs in those eight games. Both of their starters have ERAs under 2.00 — in part because of a strong defense behind them.
6. Queen Creek, 5-1
Like Basha, Queen Creek’s only loss is in the two games that the teams split. The Bulldogs have no weaknesses in their lineup, but they do have a tendency to issue too many walks on the pitching side.
7. Paradise Honors, 14-3-1
When Paradise Honors lost All-Arizona selection Amailee Morales, it seemed that it would be difficult for the Panthers to replicate last year’s 32-3 season. Instead, this year’s upperclassmen have stepped up in a big way, providing offensive support for Samara Romero’s dominance in the circle.
8. Sunnyside, 13-0
Sunnyside hasn’t played the state’s most difficult schedule, but starting 13-0 with a 10.5 run average margin of victory is impressive against anyone.
9. Red Mountain, 5-1
Red Mountain bounced back from a loss to Desert Mountain with one of the most impressive results possible in the state, knocking off Hamilton, 3-1.
10. Desert Mountain, 13-3
It’s still early, but Desert Mountain has the ceiling of a top three team in the state. Why? Because freshman Lily Goodwin has a 0.33 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 21 innings. She shut down Red Mountain in an impressive 1-0 win.
Teams to watch: Xavier Prep, Canyon del Oro, Empire, Desert Vista, Horizon Honors.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Super 10 Arizona High School softball rankings
