Final softball rankings: American Canyon finishes as season-long No. 1
The 2026 high school softball season in the North Bay is officially in the books and with its conclusion, The Press Democrat is unveiling our final team rankings of the season.
American Canyon closes out the season where it began: at No. 1.
The Wolves put together their best season in program history, matching the program record of 20 wins, dominating foes en route to the Vine Valley Athletic League regular-season and tournament titles and making a run to the second round of the ultracompetitive North Coast Section Division 1 playoffs.
They had a dramatic 2-1 extra-innings win over Granada in their NCS opener before falling to eventual section champion San Ramon Valley in a hard-fought 6-3 loss.
At No. 2, Vintage made the second round of the NCS Division 2 playoffs after a strong regular-season campaign. The Crushers beat Berkeley 9-7 in their opener before falling 4-2 to eventual champion Northgate in the quarterfinals.
The Crushers defeated Casa Grande, the No. 3 team, in all three meetings this year, which will keep the Gauchos below them despite a longer run in the postseason. Casa had a strong run in the playoffs with a very young roster, making its fourth straight run to the section semifinals - this time in Division 2 - before falling to eventual runner-up Foothill 8-7.
Petaluma, at No. 4, had a miracle run as the ninth seed in the Division 3 playoffs to win its first section title since 2011. The Trojans were the epitome of road warriors all postseason long as they beat 8 seed Las Lomas, top seed McKinleyville, 5 seed Arroyo and 6 seed Alhambra away from home en route to the section crown.
At No. 5, Rancho Cotate also made the second round of the Division 2 playoffs after upsetting 4 seed Redwood in the first round. The Cougars' run ended with an 11-9 loss to Casa Grande in the quarterfinals.
At No. 6, Cardinal Newman's run of consecutive section titles came to an end at three as they fell in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs to eventual runner-up Foothill.
Maria Carrillo rounds out the end-of-year top seven. The Pumas made it to the second round of the Division 3 playoffs before falling to 5 seed Arroyo.
1. American Canyon (20-4)
Last ranking: 1
Since last ranking: 1-1, finished in second round of NCS Division 1 playoffs. Beat Granada 2-1, lost to San Ramon Valley 6-4.
2. Vintage (15-12)
Last ranking: 2
Since last ranking: 1-1, finished in second round of NCS Division 2 playoffs. Beat Berkeley 9-7, lost to Northgate 4-2.
3. Casa Grande (13-13-1)
Last ranking: 3
Since last ranking: 2-1, finished in semifinals of NCS Division 2 playoffs. Beat Pinole Valley 10-0, No. 5 Rancho Cotate 11-9, lost to Foothill 8-7.
4. Petaluma (17-11-1)
Last ranking: 4
Since last ranking: 4-0, won NCS Division 3 title. Beat Las Lomas 4-0, McKinleyville 7-1, Arroyo 6-2 and Alhambra 9-6.
5. Rancho Cotate (15-11)
Last ranking: 5
Since last ranking: 1-1, finished in second round of NCS Division 2 playoffs. Beat Redwood 6-5, lost to No. 3 Casa Grande 11-9.
6. Cardinal Newman (14-10)
Last ranking: 6
Since last ranking: 0-1, lost to Foothill 11-3 in first round of NCS Division 2 playoffs.
7. Maria Carrillo (15-12)
Last ranking: 7
Since last ranking: 1-1, finished in second round of NCS Division 3 playoffs. Beat Washington 6-3, lost to Arroyo 2-0/
On the bubble
Analy (11-13), Cloverdale (18-4), Montgomery (13-12), Piner (16-8), St. Helena (17-7), Ukiah (15-9).
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