By: Ross Van De Griek
Welcome to a fresh new high school softball season, across the Tampa Bay area & the state of Florida. We will be revealing our Top 10 teams in the Tampa Bay area, each & every Tuesday throughout the regular season. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. River Ridge (2-0)
This Week: vs Land O'Lakes (Tues.), vs Pasco (Thu.), vs Fivay (Fri.)
The River Ridge Lady Knights are #1 in the first Tampa Bay High School softball rankings of the season. The Lady Knights are coming off a 2-0 week, with wins over Hudson & Wesley Chapel. Senior Madisen Vozdecky is leading the team with five runs batted in this season.
2. Newsome (2-0)
This Week: vs Riverview (Tues.)
The Newsome Wolves are also off to a 2-0 start to the young season, as they have wins over Sickles & Wharton to begin the season. The Wolves have a 0.50 team ERA through the team's first two games of the season. Newsome will be back in action tonight, as they host Riverview High School.
3. East Lake (2-0)
This Week: vs Countryside (Tues.), vs Admiral Farragut (Fri.), vs TBD (Sat.) (PHU Tournament)
The East Lake Eagles check in at #3 in this week's Tampa Bay High School Softball rankings. The Lady Eagles are averaging 13 runs/game so far this season & have only allowed one run. Senior Kansas Crean drove in four runs, in their 11-1 win over Hernando in their last game. The Eagles are back in action tonight, as they host Countryside High School.
4. Palm Harbor University (2-0)
This Week: @ Plant (Tues.), vs Sarasota (Fri.) (PHU Tournament), vs TBD (Sat.) (PHU Tournament)
The Palm Harbor University Lady Hurricanes come in at #4, in this week's Tampa Bay High School softball rankings. The Lady Hurricanes are coming off wins over Boca Ciega & Countryside to begin the season. Junior Emma Blatchley leads the team, as she has drove in seven runs so far this season. Palm Harbor University takes on Plant tonight, as they open up district play.
5. Admiral Farragut (2-0)
This Week: vs Canterbury (Tues.), vs East Lake (Fri.) (PHU Tournament), vs TBD (Sat.) (PHU Tournament)
The reigning Class 3A state champion Admiral Farragut Blue Jackets start out the season, ranked #5 in the Tampa Bay area. The Lady Blue Jackets have gotten wins over Osceola & Bishop McLaughlin to start the season as well. Senior Alexis "Lexi" Hernandez leads the team, as she has drove in seven runs to lead her team so far this season.
6. Dunedin (4-0)
This Week: Defeated Gulf 15-0 (Mon.), @ Clearwater (Tues.), @ Tarpon Springs (Thu.)
The Dunedin Lady Falcons check in at #6, in this week's Tampa Bay high school softball rankings. The Lady Falcons have outscored their opponents, 57-1 so far through their first four games this season. Senior Alissa Mankiewich leads the team with eight RBI's so far on the season. Dunedin is back in action tonight, as they travel to Clearwater High School.
7. Seffner Christian (3-0)
This Week: vs Academy at the Lakes (Tues.), vs Bishop McLaughlin (Thu.), @ Cambridge Christian (Fri.)
The Seffner Christian Lady Crusaders check in at #7, in this week's Tampa Bay High School softball rankings. The Lady Crusaders have picked up wins over Sarasota Christian, Zephyrhills & Lakeland to start the season. Senior Megan Carney leads the team with six RBI's on the season so far.
8. Calvary Christian (1-1)
This Week: vs Land O'Lakes (Fri.) (PHU Tournament), vs TBD (Sat.) (PHU Tournament)
The Calvary Christian Lady Warriors sustained a "tough" 5-4 loss vs nationally ranked Montverde Academy in their last game. Sophomore Averi Utesch, senior Hayley Eaton & junior Leah Jarnac each drove in runs, in their last game against Montverde Academy. Freshman Elizabeth Doce leads the team, with a 2.25 ERA in two appearances this season.
9. Steinbrenner (3-0)
This Week: Defeated Jefferson 2-0 (Mon.), vs Alonso (Tues.), @ Wharton (Thu.), vs Osceola (Fri.) (PHU Tournament), vs TBD (Sat.) (PHU Tournament)
The Steinbrenner Lady Warriors check in at #9, in this week's Tampa Bay high school softball rankings. The Lady Warriors are coming off a 2-0 win over Jefferson last night. Senior Sierra Carter leads the team, with a .875 batting average & has scored four runs so far this season. The Lady Warriors are back in action, tonight as they host Alonso High School.
10. Nature Coast (2-0)
This Week: @ Springstead (Tues.), vs Lecanto (Fri.)
The Nature Coast Tech Lady Sharks wrap up the Tampa Bay high school softball rankings this week, at #10. The Lady Sharks have picked up wins over Citrus & Hernando so far to begin the season. Senior Morgan Johnson leads the team, as she has drove in five runs so far in two games. Senior Alyssa Kelly has a 2.00 ERA in 2 appearances so far this season, for the Lady Sharks.
On The Bubble: Academy at the Lakes, Academy of the Holy Names, Alonso, Canterbury (St. Petersburg), Chamberlain, Countryside, Cypress Creek (Wesley Chapel), Gaither, Land O'Lakes, Mitchell, Plant, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wharton