By: Ross Van De Griek
Welcome to a fresh new week of rankings across the Tampa Bay area. Following the PHU Lady Canes' Invitational, expect the rankings to be shuffled this week. Some pretty intriguing matchups are also taking place this week. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. River Ridge (4-0)
This Week: vs Admiral Farragut (Tues.), @ Land O'Lakes (Wed.), vs Wiregrass Ranch (Thu.)
The River Ridge Royal Knights are the #1 ranked team in the Tampa Bay area, in this week's softball rankings. The Lady Knights are coming off a 2-0 week, where they picked up wins over Pasco & Fivay. Sophomore Jordan Sheets is leading the team, hitting .545 (6-11) through the team's first four games of the season.
2. Newsome (3-0)
This Week: vs Plant City (Tues.), @ Lennard (Thu.), @ Robinson (Sat.)
The Newsome Wolves check in this week, holding the #2 ranking in the Tampa Bay area. In their last game vs Riverview, seniors Lindsey Harper & Madison Hudson each drove in three runs. Junior Jaeden Ruszkowski is leading the team, hitting .778 (7-9) in the first three games of the season. Newsome is back in action tonight, as they host Plant City High School.
3. Dunedin (6-0)
This Week: vs Anclote (Tues.), @ Countryside (Thu.), @ Hudson (Fri.)
The Dunedin Lady Falcons softball team is off to a roaring start to the 2020 season, as they have averaged 12.8 runs/game this season. Senior Alissa Mankiewich leads the team, hitting .769 (10-15) and has also drove in eight runs so far this season. The Lady Falcons are back in action tonight, as they host Anclote High School.
4. Sunlake (6-0)
This Week: vs Cypress Creek (Thu.)
The Sunlake Lady Seahawks are coming off winning the 2020 Palm Harbor Lady Canes' Invitational. The Lady Seahawks went 4-0 at the tournament, getting wins over Strawberry Crest, Sarasota, Bartow & Robinson. Junior Kendra Falby leads the team, hitting .583 (14-25) so far this season. Junior Bella Sanchez leads the team in RBI's (7) through the team's first six games this season.
5. Mitchell (3-1)
This Week: vs Tarpon Springs (Tues.), @ Wesley Chapel (Thu.)
The Mitchell Lady Mustangs check into the Top 5 for the first time this season. The Lady Mustangs are coming off a 1-0 win over Sickles in their last game. Sophomore pitcher Sydney Fowler is coming off a 12-strikeout performance in their shutout win over Sickles in their last game. Senior Marina Rao is leading the team, hitting .429 (6-14) so far through the team's first four games of the season.
6. Seffner Christian (6-0)
This Week: vs Indian Rocks Christian (Tues.), @ Fort Meade (Fri.)
Welcome to the rankings, for the first time this season Seffner Christian. The Lady Crusaders are averaging 10.5 runs/game through the team's first six games of the season. Senior Megan Carney leads the team in home runs (3) & runs batted in (13) through the team's first six games. Seffner Christian is back in action tonight, as they host Indian Rocks Christian.
7. Alonso (5-0)
This Week: @ Palm Harbor University (Tues.)
The Alonso Lady Ravens are in the Tampa Bay area softball rankings for the first time this season, as they check in at #7. The Lady Ravens are coming off a 3-0 week, with wins over Steinbrenner, Plant & Chamberlain. Junior Alisha Lanyon is leading the team, hitting .667 (8-12) & is also leading the team in runs batted in (9) so far through the team's first five games this season. Alonso is back in action, today as they travel to Palm Harbor University.
8. Durant (3-0)
This Week: @ Strawberry Crest (Tues.), vs Bloomingdale (Thu.)
The Durant Lady Cougars are in the Tampa Bay area softball rankings for the first time this season, as they check in at #8. The Lady Cougars thrashed Plant City, 16-0 in their last game on February 27. Senior Kelly Swank & junior Emily Smith are both tied for the team lead in runs batted in (10) through the team's first three games this season.
9. Nature Coast Tech (3-0)
This Week: vs Crystal River (Tues.), @ Gulf (Wed.), @ Weeki Wachee (Fri.)
The Nature Coast Tech Lady Sharks come into this week's rankings, at #9 in the Tampa Bay area. The Lady Sharks are coming off a 8-1 win over Springstead in their last game. Junior Lexi Lendo is leading the team in runs batted in (7) through the team's first three games of the season. Senior pitcher Alyssa Kelly has a 1.67 ERA in her three starts this season. Nature Coast Tech is back in action, tonight as they host Crystal River.
10. Hillsborough (4-0)
This Week: @ Spoto (Tues.), vs Brandon (Thu.)
The Hillsborough Lady Terriers wrap up this week's softball rankings as they come in at #10. Through the team's first four games of the season, they've outscored their opponents, 65-8. Freshman Destiny Garcia is leading the team, hitting .667 so far through the team's first four games. Hillsborough is back in action, tonight as they travel to Spoto High School.
On The Bubble: Admiral Farragut, Bloomingdale, Calvary Christian, Canterbury, Countryside, Cypress Creek, East Lake, Hernando, Jefferson, Land O'Lakes, Lennard, Pinellas Park, Riverview, Steinbrenner, Wesley Chapel