Top 10 softball rankings

Top 10 softball rankings

1. Aptos: With a tri-region best 12 straight wins, the Mariners are closing in on their first Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title since 2018.

2. Palma: The Chieftains have won eight straight games, knocking off defending Gabilan Division champion Monterey and reigning NorCal Division II champion Salinas twice in the last 14 days.

3. Hollister: The playoffs have arrived early for the Balers, who can clinch the Gabilan Division title Thursday with a win over Palma, having split their first two games with their rivals.

4. Monterey: Denae Lee is two homers away from tying the county record for home runs. Will teams be willing to pitch to the Utah-bound catcher, has been walked a county high 20 times?

5. Salinas: With no shot at gaining a share of the Gabilan Division title, the Cowboys will use their final three regular-season games as a tune-up for the postseason

6. Alisal: During their run of 10 straight wins to vault themselves to the top of the Mission Division, the Trojans pitching staff has recorded five shutouts, while allowing just six earned runs.

7. Carmel: A third meeting on Thursday with visiting Alisal gives the Padres — 0-2 in their first two meetings — a shot at redemption and potentially a share of the Mission Division title.

8. Soquel: During their seven-game winning streak, the Knights have erupted for 77 runs, while the pitching staff has posted four shutouts.

9. North County: Owners of five straight wins, the Condors can clinch their first league title in 31 years by winning two of their final three games.

10. North Salinas: Mired in a three-game losing streak, in which they have dropped three games by one run, the Vikings have three games remaining to reverse course.

On the bubble: San Lorenzo Valley, Rancho San Juan, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Soledad.

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 8:56 AM.