Orange Beach (Ala.) resumes its journey at the 2025 season’s opening, keeping its spot at No. 1 in the Top 25 high school softball rankings.

With aspirations for a fifth consecutive state championship, the Makos are bringing back nearly all their starters from an impressive 46-1 squad, shattering 51 home runs and racking up 319 strikeouts collectively. 

The majority of those strikeouts were credited to Class of 2025 South Carolina signee K.G. Favors. This standout pitcher and powerful hitter recorded 197 strikeouts, finishing her season with a remarkable 21-1 record and a 0.77 ERA. Meanwhile, two of the nation’s top juniors, Arkansas commit Ava Hodo and Mississippi State commit Teagan Revette, accounted for a combined total of 24 home runs and 114 RBIs during their sophomore year.

Texas showcases five Top 25 teams, led by Melissa at No. 2. The Tigers closed out the 2024 season with an impressive 15-game winning streak, culminating in the Class 5A state championship. The 2025 roster will see the return of Texas signee Caigan Crabtree, Michigan State commit Alex Starr, Florida pledge Kennedy Bradley, and rising Class of 2027 talent Hutton Adrian among others.

Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) emerges as Florida’s leading team entering the season. As the defending 3A state champions, they retain a majority of their lineup, including Florida State commit Danika Spinogatti and Georgia commit Luna Taboas. Ole Miss pledge Nevaeh Williams will also be returning to the mound for the Eagles.

In Northern California, Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) is the early frontrunner. The Trojans are bolstered by two elite junior catchers and hitters: LSU commit Sam Alekman and Washington commit Brooklyn Paratore. In the pitching circle, Santa Clara commit Ellison Schroeder and sophomore Kennedi Freeland teamed up to strike out 265 batters last spring.

Summerville (S.C.) finishes 2024 at No. 5 after a flawless season and kicks off 2025 in the same position. Seniors Abby Driscoll, a Charleston commit, Charlotte pledge Melanie Edwards, and South Carolina signee Ansley Bennett aim to clinch a third consecutive title.

2025 Preseason Top 25 High School Softball Rankings

1. Orange Beach (Ala.)

The Makos stand out in all facets of the game, especially on the base paths. Auburn commit Daigle Wilson stole 57 bases in 2024, while Class of 2026 Arkansas pledge Katie King has tallied 90 career stolen bases.

2. Melissa (Texas)

The Cardinals belted out 92 home runs last spring. Hutton Adrian, Rihanna Wheeler, Amariee Bradford, and Izzy Gonzales made an impression as freshmen, combining for 43 home runs.

3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)

Class of 2026 standout Colby Reish delivered a clutch two-out line drive single in the eighth inning to secure a walk-off win during the 2024 Class 3A state championship. She returns along with a wealth of talent aiming for back-to-back titles.

4. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)

The Trojans have clinched consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 titles and possess a roster filled with players committed to Washington, LSU, Nevada, Santa Clara, and a duo heading to North Carolina State.

5. Summerville (S.C.)

The Green Wave’s Class of 2026 includes Missouri commit Katie Guilliam and all-state standout Hope Chase, both eager to extend the program’s impressive 50-game win streak.

6. Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)

After finishing No. 6 in the final Top 25, they will kick off 2025 from this position. One of the leading talents in the Class of 2025, Georgia Tech commit Sydnie Watts, proves to be a dominant force on both offense and defense. Class of 2027 standout Kaliana Ray had an exceptional freshman year, boasting a batting average over .700.

7. Katy (Texas)

The Tigers faced disappointment in their pursuit of their ultimate goal last season when they were eliminated from the 6A state playoffs in the regional semifinals. However, they return a talented roster, including pitcher and Oklahoma commit Ella Kate Smith, Missouri signee Avery Porter, LSU commit Lauryn Soeken, Houston pledge Hailey Gore, and power hitter, Oklahoma State commit Montgomery Henderson.

8. Norco (Calif.)

Consistency defines Norco’s program, which has achieved 20 or more wins in every season for the past 20 years. Their pitching ace, junior Peyton May, is an Oklahoma State commit, and she will be joined by seniors Dakota Potter (South Carolina), outfielder Tamryn Shorter (Boise State), and junior Sasha Pham (California).

9. Etiwanda (Calif.)

The Eagles ended last season with an impressive 13 consecutive victories, culminating in a Division 2 SoCal championship. Michigan State signee Alyssa Galindo posted a 0.83 ERA while throwing over 100 innings and also contributed 12 home runs offensively. Fellow seniors Kimberlee Aleman, who has committed to Oregon State, and California-Riverside commit Taylor Wren are set to return after each recorded over .400 batting averages last spring.

10. Ridgeline (Millville, Utah)

The Riverhawks concluded their previous season with an outstanding 30-1 record and captured a Class 4A state championship. Brielle Gardiner delivered one of the standout freshman seasons nationwide, achieving a 27-1 record with a 0.78 ERA. She’s also a capable hitter, teaming with Class of 2025 Texas commit Anne Wallace to hit a combined total of 19 home runs.

11. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

The team closed out 2024 with an impressive 18-game winning streak, adding a 5A state championship to their list of accomplishments. Northwestern commit Lilly Goodwin will return to the mound, complemented by formidable hitters Zoe Horning and Grand Canyon University commit McKinsey Beyer.

12. Murrieta Mesa (Murrieta, Calif.)

The Rams boast a deep lineup of talent. Junior Arizona commit Lilly Hauser returns after an impressive 23-1 season with a 0.63 ERA in 2024. Another standout, Tennessee commit Taelyn Holley, established herself as one of the most feared hitters in Southern California, blasting 11 home runs and hitting .598 over the last spring.

13. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)

The Firebirds wrapped up the 2024 season with a 26-2 record, falling in the 6A state semifinals. They will welcome Clemson commit Sarah Breaux back after she achieved a remarkable .603 batting average with 15 home runs. Junior Texas commit Anabela Abdullah, known for her impressive defensive skills in the Class of 2026, is also a significant offensive threat with her power bat and speed on the bases.

14. Coahoma (Texas)

The Bulldogs enjoyed a perfect 32-0 season last spring, powered by two Texas commits: senior pitcher and slugger Hannah Wells and junior hitter Mia Clemmer, who collectively hit 28 home runs. Junior Bree Lewis also contributed five home runs and batted .530 during her sophomore campaign.

15. Carterville (Ill.)

The squad finished with a 37-1 record and earned the No. 13 ranking nationally in 2024. Two of the finest juniors in the country, Taryn Ford and Caidence Phillips, return after a stellar combined season that saw them compile a 34-1 record and strike out 494 batters while pitching.

16. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.)

The Mountain Lions concluded 2024 with a commendable record of 27-5. With the roster brimming with talent, they are well-positioned to contend for a state championship, starting in the circle with senior Utah State commit Kendall Cochran, who recorded a 19-3 record with a 0.80 ERA. Juniors Taylor Hampton, a Texas A&M commit, and Oklahoma commit Payton Westra are just a few standout hitters returning for 2025.

17. Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.)

It’s a challenge to remove a team from the top of the rankings when they’ve claimed four consecutive titles, even with the loss of key players to graduation.Back to the forefront are Carlie Guile, Baylor Bockhaus, and Loren Sivils, who collectively launched 42 home runs last season.

18. Neshannock (New Castle, Pa.)

The Lancers have achieved an impressive record of 73 wins out of their last 74 games and concluded the 2024 season undefeated. Providence College commit Addy Frye showcased her talent by striking out over 200 batters and maintaining an exceptional 0.59 ERA. Kent State commit Jaidon Nogay returns after an eye-catching sophomore year, where he boasted a .492 batting average.

19. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)

With a lineup featuring six underclassmen last season, the Lancers secured their second consecutive Non-Public A state championship in 2024. State Player of the Year Madison McDougall returns after an impressive sophomore year where she struck out 300 hitters.

20. Garner (N.C.)

The Trojans clinched their school’s first state title in 2024 and possess the talent needed for another exhilarating run. Dynamic left-handed pitcher Gabriella Czuczuk is back, having pitched a staggering 143 innings last season as a junior, and Virginia Tech commit Gaby Mizelle returns as the team’s leading hitter.

21. Weslaco (Texas)

The Panthers completed a remarkable journey to capture the Class 6A title last spring. A star was born in now-junior Andrea Ortiz, who hit a game-winning grand slam, delivering the school’s first championship. Additionally, Underclass All-American pitcher Madelynn Cantu is set to return for another season.

22. Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.)

The Pioneers reload with formidable talent at the plate. Alabama commit Torynn Slaughter returns for her junior season after an outstanding .619 batting average last spring. Another junior power hitter is Duke commit Sienna Caro, who smashed 10 home runs as a sophomore. Additionally, senior Payton Crank, committed to Utah, adds more firepower to this challenging lineup for opposing pitchers.

23. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas)

The returning 4A state champions may have lost some key players to graduation, but they still boast impressive talent for 2025. Jordyn Thibodeaux showcased her prowess by striking out 154 batters, finishing with a 20-1 record and a 0.93 ERA. Texas-San Antonio commit Brookelynn Meador had an outstanding junior year, hitting 12 home runs and achieving a .458 batting average. Class of 2026’s Texas-Arlington commit Braelyn Bailey returns after hitting seven home runs and boasting a .467 average.

24. Gaylord (Mich.)

Oklahoma State commit Aubrey Jones and Ferris State commit Kennedy Wangler are aiming to secure a third consecutive championship. The Blue Devils wrapped up the 2024 season with a 13-game winning streak, culminating in a 3-2 victory over Vicksburg in eight innings during the Division 2 final.

25. Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.)

Following a 2024 season that concluded with a dramatic walk-off state title victory, the Royals have the talent to continue their remarkable momentum. State Player of the Year Grace Swedarsky is back for her junior season after recording an impressive 18-2 record in the circle with 270 strikeouts.

Next 25

26. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)
27. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.)
28. Bloomingdale (Valrico, Fla.)
29. St. Charles North (St. Charles, Ill.)
30. Rising Sun (North East, Md.)
31. Marist (Chicago, Ill.)
32. Gray Collegiate Academy (West Columbia, S.C.)
33. Gordonsville (Tenn.)
34. Coral Springs Charter (Coral Springs, Fla.)
35. Kingwood (Texas)
36. Kenosha Bradford (Kenosha, Wis.)
37. Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.)
38. Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.)
39. Lincoln-Way Central (New Lenox, Ill.)
40. Destiny Christian Academy (Sacramento, Calif.)
41. Henderson County (Henderson, Ky.)
42. Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.)
43. Randolph (Minn.)
44. Eagleville (Tenn.)
45. Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
46. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
47. Ichabod Crane (Valatie, N.Y.)
48. Sterlington (La.)
49. Hudsonville (Mich.)
50. Wamego (Kan.)