The Oaks Christian softball team of Westlake Village collected a trophy after the way it played at tourney in Bakersfield. Photo: @oaks_softball/Twitter.com.
While we don’t agree with Oaks Christian being in front of Mission Viejo at No. 1 among CIF Southern Section Division II teams, we are bringing up the unbeaten Lions to No. 12 in this week’s rankings. This week’s other three newcomers are Hart of Newhall, Clovis and Escondido.
Note: There are not going to be separate free and premium posts for new rankings this season in any sport. All new and final rankings will be for Gold Club members only. This also is a great time to sign up for our Gold Club to see all of our great content, including just published 20,000 word feature on the 50 greatest football teams in state history (basketball coming soon). Our yearly rate has gone up, but you can now get it for just $9.99 to check it out for three months. For details, CLICK HERE.
(After games of Saturday, March 19)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(Some results from Monday of current week mentioned where applicable)
(Paul Muyskens contributed writeups to this post)
1. (1) PIONEER (SAN JOSE) 6-0
Not long after releasing last week’s rankings, we were informed that the Mustangs had agreed to play fellow NorCal powerhouse Amador Valley in a game at Pioneer. State rankings consultant Harold Abend was able to attend and witnessed the Mustangs getting out to a three-run lead and holding on for a 3-2 victory. Later in the week, Pioneer kept winning with a 5-0 shutout of Santa Clara Wilcox. Ace pitcher Holly Acevedo out-dueled Amador’s Danielle Williams and had a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts vs. Wilcox.
2. (3) ETIWANDA 17-0
After a 7-3 win over M.L. King of Riverside in the semifinals, the Eagles blanked Chino Hills 3-0 to win the Redlands tourney last week. Taylon Snow got two hits for Chino Hills, but Briana Wheeler held the rest of the Huskies to two hits. Etiwanda hasn’t played any of the big-time teams in Orange County, but has in the Inland Empire and will be playing Norco on April 2. With the OC teams now beginning to beat each other, the Eagles get moved up to second in the state this week.
