Three teams from last week’s Top 10 faced defeat in week three of the New Jersey high school softball season, yet St. John Vianney and Donovan Catholic held firm in the top two positions of this week’s rankings.
Here’s the latest New Jersey Top 20 high school softball rankings as we see them.
New Jersey High School Softball Top 20 Rankings: Apr. 11
1. St. John-Vianney (3-0)
St. John Vianney has commenced the season with vigor, taking down two ranked teams in their initial three games with strong wins over Colts Neck, 5-1, and Morris Catholic, 9-1. Even with a team batting average below .300, the Lancers have hit five home runs, with two contributions from two-time all-state catcher Elisabeth Figliolino. Dominating on the mound, Madison McDougall, last year’s state Player of the Year, has tallied 40 strikeouts while maintaining a 0.67 ERA over 21 innings.
2. Donovan Catholic (5-0)
Donovan Catholic began their season with a solid 2-0 shutout against Southern and then showcased their offensive might, scoring double-digit runs in their next four games. Christina Ginex has been particularly impressive, batting 7-for-11 with four doubles and scoring 11 times. Olivia Kurth has been equally excellent, going 8-for-12 and also crossing home plate 11 times. Bella Maria has contributed significantly as well, with a batting line of 7-for-18, driving in six runs, and scoring six herself.
3. Steinert (3-0)
The Spartans have emerged as an offensive powerhouse, averaging 12 runs per game over their first three outings. This Saturday, they will be tested against No. 9 Red Bank Catholic, whose ace pitcher, Lily Hagan, poses a considerable threat. Early contributions from Francesca Castellano, who has driven in seven runs in just three games, have been crucial. On the mound, Katie Simonka has been stellar, racking up 29 strikeouts in 12 innings.
4. Notre Dame (4-0)
The Irish have dominated their four opponents, outscoring them 34-6 collectively. Following a 7-1 victory over West Windsor-Plainsboro in their opener, ND achieved shutout wins against Nottingham (11-0) and Robbinsville (10-0), and narrowly defeated No. 18 Allentown, 6-5.
5. Cedar Grove (4-0)
Cedar Grove enjoyed a commanding 13-5 win against No. 8 Mount St. Dominic, with Cayce Kavakich leading the charge by going 4-for-4 at the plate and notching her 150th career hit as she aims for the 200-hit milestone. This victory marked Cedar Grove’s third game in four with 10 or more runs scored, extending their remarkable streak to 10 consecutive wins that began last postseason.
6. Kingsway (6-0)
Hannah Weismer is arguably the most exciting hitter in the state at the moment. The first-team All-State selection from last season has already hit six home runs, scored 12 runs, and driven in 17 in just six games. She has ample support, with Ava Snyder batting 12-for-22 and Olivia Sciulli close behind at 12-for-23. Kingsway’s lineup has been formidable, scoring 11 or more runs in four of their six games so far.
7. Immaculate Heart Academy (5-0)
The Blue Eagles made a splash in North Jersey with a stunning 3-2 upset over then-No. 8 Red Bank Catholic. Their impressive start also includes an 8-6 win against state finalist Ramsey and an overwhelming 21-0 victory over Holy Angels. Leading the charge is Gabby Shadek, a three-time all-state catcher and Duke commit, who has already launched three home runs in five games, bringing her career total to 39, the highest among active players in the state.
8. Mount St. Dominic Academy (3-1)
Following a 3-0 start, Mount faced its first defeat of the season, losing 13-5 to No. 5 Cedar Grove. The Lions recorded 10 hits and drew two walks in that match, indicating they were able to reach base but could not convert. With five freshmen starting for coach Rob Stern, this is one of the youngest teams in the state, expected to improve as they gain experience and face more challenges. While there are still uncertainties on the mound, the offense has shown it can perform when needed.
9. Vineland (3-1)
Vineland’s offense came alive on Wednesday, overwhelming Mainland 18-1. Franki Celebre and Leah Mears continued their strong performances, each logging three hits, three runs, and three RBIs. Brooklyn Lopez made her season debut, earning the win with three solid innings pitched.
10. Red Bank Catholic (3-1)
Red Bank Catholic stumbled in a close 3-2 loss to Immaculate Heart, squandering a 2-0 lead. Nevertheless, the Caseys boast victories over two ranked teams, having defeated Middletown North 6-2 and Marlboro 8-2. Grace Lombardi has been hitting .615 early on, while Jayden Kane, Nicole Knox, and Brianna Santangelo each have two home runs to their credit.
11. North Hunterdon (3-0)
The Lions have showcased an explosive offense, scoring an impressive 48 runs across their first three games. Their power was most evident in a dominant 19-0 victory over Hillsborough and a 13-1 win against Gov. Livingston. Sammie Dougherty and Katie Reed have both been phenomenal at the plate, with three home runs each in just three games, setting a blistering pace for the season.
12. Middletown North (3-1)
Hailey Keiser is off to a 6-for-14 start for an offense that, as has been typical, struggles to produce runs. The Lions have mustered three doubles but no other extra-base hits or stolen bases. However, ace pitcher Madilynn Boyce continues to keep Middletown North competitive, allowing them chances to score the few runs she requires. The Seton Hall commit has notched 62 strikeouts over 27 innings, and despite a shaky start, her ERA has now improved to 2.59.
13. Hanover Park (1-1)
The Hornets began their season with an exciting 6-5 victory over a No. 16 Morris Catholic, clinching the win with a strong seventh inning. Following this, they faced a challenge in the form of a 7-2 loss to Livingston, but they are set to face major tests ahead against Northern Highlands, Whippany Park, Morris Knolls, and Cedar Grove in the coming two weeks.
14. Columbia (3-0)
Coach Cliff Smith’s team is off to a scorching 3-0 start, having allowed just a single run across three games—a solitary run in an 11-1 win against Caldwell. Their most remarkable achievement came in their last game, a commanding 7-0 shutout against a state-ranked Randolph squad.
15. Watchung Hills (2-0)
Although starting their season later than most, Watchung Hills has made a strong impression, launching their campaign with a solid 7-1 victory over Cranford, then followed it with a thrilling 1-0, nine-inning victory against Summit, capped off by Peyton Kaftus’ walk-off single. All-Stater Mia Simon showcased her talent, striking out 11 batters while allowing only six hits in a commendable shutout performance.
16. Morris Catholic (2-2)
Despite finishing the week with a 1-1 record, which included a dominant 7-0 win over a Wallington squad featuring an All-State pitcher, the Crusaders encountered a hurdle against No. 13 Hanover Park. The victory over Wallington snapped a two-game losing streak, which consisted of a 9-1 setback to the top-ranked St. John Vianney. Notably, pitcher Sofia Reisinger has tallied 50 strikeouts in just 24.2 innings, marking her as one of the top strikeout artists in the state.
17. Allentown (4-3)
The Redbirds kicked off the season with remarkable energy, outscoring their three opponents by an impressive 27-5 margin. They started with wins over Delran (8-2) and Hopewell Valley (7-2), finishing with a perfect 3-0 record following a commanding 12-1 victory over Princeton. However, in their most recent outing, the Redbirds faced a formidable opponent in No. 4 Notre Dame and fell just short, losing 6-5.
18. Gloucester (2-0)
The Lions captured a gritty 2-1 victory against their local rival Audubon on Wednesday, demonstrating their signature strong defense. Emma Dick shone on the mound, giving up only one hit, issuing one walk, and striking out three batters. Additionally, sophomore Bailey Schoenfeldt made a notable impact by scoring four of the Lions’ seven runs in their initial two games.
19. Randolph (3-1)
The Rams clinched a solid 4-2 triumph over Morris Knolls last week. This success allowed them to maintain their ranking despite a 7-0 loss to 14th-ranked Columbia, during which they managed only three hits.
20. Ramsey (3-2)
Ramsey has turned things around with two consecutive wins, defeating Indian Hills 7-2 before overwhelming Ridgefield 16-1.
