This is the first installment of what hopefully will become a weekly feature here on Topp’s Tips. Every week — likely Tuesday or Wednesday — I’ll post my updated power rankings of the top five high school softball teams in the area.
Here’s the initial top five teams:
1. Quincy Notre Dame (2-0)
The Lady Raiders have had to come from behind to claim their first two wins, but they’re undefeated nonetheless. They picked up an 8-5 win against Griggsville-Perry — another quality area team — at The Backyard on Monday.
Danielle Sanders has been absolutely raking at the plate so far and should be a steady bat in the middle of the lineup throughout the season.
2. Central-Southeastern (1-1)
It’s too bad the game scheduled for today between C-SE and Griggsville-Perry was canceled. It would’ve pitted two of the better teams in the area against one another.
C-SE returned a lot of talent from the team that upset QND in the regional championship game last season.
Taylor Dralle and Torie Thomas give C-SE a nice 1-2 punch in its pitching rotation.
3. Griggsville-Perry (3-1)
G-P can put up runs. Marlee Bradshaw and Rhea Hobson are two hitters who can slug the ball. Hobson hit a grand slam in Monday’s 8-5 loss to QND. The Lady Tornadoes let a chance to pick up a marquee win slip away in that QND game, as they couldn’t preserve an early 5-0 lead.
McKenzie Vose is generally pretty reliable on the mound.
4. Liberty (3-2)
The Lady Eagles picked up a nice win back on March 21, when they defeated Payson Seymour 6-4.
Pitchers Brooke Wellman and Mackenzie Buyck have both already had impressive outings. Buyck also has proven she’s pretty dangerous at the plate.
5. Payson Seymour (3-1)
In wins against North Greene, Immaculate and Unity, Payson Seymour pitcher Cheyanne Bowman allowed a total of three runs. She’s also been racking up the strikeouts early in the season.
Kristen Loos and Dakota Flesner give the Lady Indians a couple solid bats in the lineup.
