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The Orange County softball rankings as of Tuesday, March 31.
Notable this week: Fullerton takes over the top spot in the Orange County rankings entering the Michelle Carew Classic this week. The Indians are on a five-game winning streak, having defeated Norco, Orange Lutheran, Brea Olinda, Los Altos and Long Beach Poly. … JSerra drops to No. 2 after a 1-0 loss to Santa Margarita. … Cypress rises to No. 10 following an 8-2 victory against El Modena.
ORANGE COUNTY SOFTBALL TOP 25
(Records through Monday, March 30.)
1. Fullerton (12-1): Katelynn Mathews enters the Carew Classic with an 8-0 record and 1.79 ERA.
Previous ranking: 2
2. JSerra (15-3): Liliana Escobar is 8-2 with a 0.55 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings.
Previous ranking: 1
3. La Habra (13-3): Alyssa Hernandez and Sadie Wyse each had games with two home runs apiece last week to help the Highlanders win a pair of Crestview League games.
Previous ranking: 6
4. Pacifica (11-6): Freshman Raquel Pineda fired a complete game in a win against Cypress last week in her first start since March 7.
Previous ranking: 3
Pacifica second baseman Natalie Pacheco, right, tags out Cypress’ Callie Kissell as she tries to advance to second in a Crestview League softball game in Garden Grove on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
5. Orange Lutheran (6-3): Rylee Silva allowed one run in six innings and hit a home run to lead the Lancers past Mater Dei 11-1 in their Trinity League opener.
Previous ranking: 4
6. Santa Margarita (15-3): Lyla Morales tossed two shutouts last week, including a 1-0 win against JSerra.
Previous ranking: 9
7. El Modena (7-6): The Vanguards open the Carew Classic against Vista Murrieta on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Peralta Canyon Park.
Previous ranking: 5
8. Marina (12-3): Mia Valbuena struck out a season-high 16 and had two two hits in a 2-1 win against Los Alamitos in the Sunset League.
Previous ranking: 8
9. Los Alamitos (8-7): Erin Denny belted her fourth home run and Ryann Velazquez made two outstanding plays in left field for the Griffins against Marina.
Previous ranking: 7
10. Cypress (10-5): Freshman Callie Kissell and junior Tia Hernandez each have five home runs.
Previous ranking: 11
Cypress shortstop Tia Hernandez fields a grounder by Pacifica to throw out the runner at first in a Crestview League softball game in Garden Grove on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
11. Canyon (9-5)
Previous ranking: 10
12. Aliso Niguel (9-10)
Previous ranking: 13
13. Mater Dei (10-7)
Previous ranking: 16
14. San Clemente (12-4)
Previous ranking: 17
15. Whittier Christian (10-8-1)
Previous ranking: 14
16. Edison (12-7)
Previous ranking: 20
17. Huntington Beach (6-7)
Previous ranking: 21
18. San Juan Hills (13-3-1)
Previous ranking: 19
19. El Toro (7-6)
Previous ranking: 15
20. El Dorado (11-5)
Previous ranking: 18
21. Yorba Linda (11-5)
Previous ranking: 22
22. Dana Hills (9-3)
Previous ranking: 24
23. Villa Park (5-10)
Previous ranking: 25
24. Brea Olinda (11-7)
Previous ranking: 12
25. Capistrano Valley (8-7)
Previous ranking: 23
Also considered: Trabuco Hills (12-6-1)