Prep softball rankings: There is a new No. 1 team in The Fresno Bee’s rankings
For the first time this season, there is a new top-ranked team in The Bee’s rankings.
Buchanan takes over the top spot after picking up victories over Clovis and Central, while former No. 1 Clovis North lost to No. 2 Clovis.
Buchanan already picked up wins over Clovis North and Clovis this season. The Bears defeated the Cougars last week, too.
Buchanan and Clovis North have split two games this season and will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Buchanan for the Tri-River Athletic Conference title.
There were other changes in the rankings following last week’s games. See what changed below with the previous rankings.
Around the horn
County/Metro Athletic Conference: Madera has a one-game lead over Bullard with two games remaining. The Coyotes and Knights will meet in the final game of the regular season at 3:30 p.m. in Madera.
North Yosemite League: With a win over Sunnyside on Wednesday, Reedley will clinch an outright league title.
West Yosemite League: Hanford has a two-game lead over El Diamante with two games remaining. The Bullpups play Golden West at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
East Yosemite League: Tulare Western is 7-1 while Monache and Mission Oak are each 6-2 with two games left.
Central Sequoia League: A Selma win over Kingsburg means an outright title for the Bears. The Vikings are in second at 7-1. The teams meet Friday.
North Sequoia League: Liberty-Madera Ranchos can clinch an outright title with one win this week.
West Sequoia League: Orange Cove needs one win for an outright title.
East Sequoia League: Sierra Pacific won the league title.
West Sierra League: One win by Coalinga means an outright title.
East Sierra League: Fresno Christian needs two wins over Summit Charter Collegiate Academy for an outright title.
Top 25 rankings
(Records through Sunday)
1. Buchanan 20-6 (Pvs. 3). Last week: Defeated Clovis and Central
2. Clovis 20-6 (Pvs. 2). Last week: Defeated Central; lost to Buchanan
3. Clovis North 19-2 (Pvs. 1). Last week: Defeated Clovis East; lost to Clovis
4. Hanford 17-6 (Pvs. 5). Last week: Defeated Mt. Whitney and Redwood
5. Bullard 18-8 (Pvs. 6). Last week: Defeated Sanger and San Joaquin Memorial
6. Liberty-Bakersfield 20-6 (Pvs. 4). Last week: Split with Stockdale
7. Central 16-8 (Pvs. 7). Last week: Defeated Clovis West; lost to Buchanan
8. Liberty-Madera Ranchos 23-3 (Pvs. 8). Last week: Defeated Sierra and Washington Union
9. Independence 20-7 (Pvs. 10). Last week: Swept West
10. St. Joseph 17-7 (Pvs. 9). Last week: Split with Paso Robles
11. Fowler 19-5 (Pvs. 14). Last week: Defeated Riverdale
12. Madera 16-10 (Pvs. 16). Last week: Defeated Edison and Madera South
13. Centennial 20-6-1 (Pvs. 18). Last week: Swept Garces
14. Tulare Western 19-6-1 (Pvs. 11). Last week: Defeated Porterville; lost to Mission Oak
15. Stockdale 18-8 (Pvs. 12). Last week: Split with Liberty-Bakersfield
16. Tulare Union 18-8-1 (Pvs. 17). Last week: Defeated Delano and Porterville
17. Paso Robles 16-7 (Pvs. 13). Last week: Split with St. Joseph
18. Redwood 15-9-1 (Pvs. 15). Last week: Defeated Golden West; lost to Hanford
19. Clovis East 11-11-1 (Pvs. 19). Last week: Lost to Clovis North; defeated Clovis West
20. Monache 16-7-1 (Pvs. 21). Last week: Defeated Mission Oak and Delano
21. Highland 20-5 (Pvs. 23). Last week: Swept South
22. El Diamante 15-13 (Pvs. 25). Last week: Defeated Lemoore and Mt. Whitney
23. Golden West 14-11 (Pvs. 22). Last week: Lost to Redwood; defeated Lemoore
24. Wasco (23-3 (Pvs. NR). Last week: Defeated Chavez and Arvin
25. Garces 12-15 (Pvs. 20). Last week: Swept by Centennial
On the bubble: Mission Prep (16-7), Mission Oak (17-7-1), Kingsburg (14-11), Dinuba (14-10), San Joaquin Memorial (12-14-1), Reedley (19-6-1), Chowchilla (14-8), Immanuel (12-11), Arroyo Grande (14-9-1), San Luis Obispo (12-6-1), Sanger (15-11), Caruthers (14-11)
