Two Teams in Georgia Battle for #1
It is down to one of three teams that will finish No. 1 in this year’s fall season version of the Extra Elite national high school softball rankings.
The race became very complicated with what happened in last week’s Class 7A state playoffs in Georgia. It wouldn’t have been complicated if No. 1 ranked Buford had either won all of its games and was still unbeaten heading into this week’s state finals. It also wouldn’t have been too complicated if Buford had lost twice and was eliminated.
In the double-elimination format of the Georgia playoffs, however, the Wolves were able to bounce back from an opening 1-0 loss to Lambert of Suwanee in the super regional round. They did and defeated the Longhorns twice, 5-4 and 4-3, and have advanced to their 18th straight state bracket final.
So was that enough to keep Buford No. 1 in this week’s rankings with one week to go? It was a close call, but no.
Pope of Marietta has been elevated from the No. 2 position. The Greyhounds didn’t lose in their path to the Class 6A state finals and they also have an avenging win over the only team they’ve lost to, nearby Lassiter of Marietta.
Plus, one of Pope’s big wins during the regular season also was against that same Lambert team that got the win over Buford. It isn’t the reason for the switch, but it also should be noted that Buford was in the 6A state bracket last season and its last loss of the season was to Pope.
It’s not normal to root for teams to lose, but it sure would make it far less complicated for the final rankings if one of the two Georgia teams loses in its respective state finals. Both the 7A and 6A brackets were set to begin on Wednesday and will be wrapped up by Saturday.
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Columbine Gets Revenge to Win Colorado Title; Lutheran’s Hailey Maestretti K’s 17 in Championship
The third team in the mix for final No. 1, if neither Pope or Buford win state titles in Georgia, clearly is Columbine of Littleton, Colo. The Rebels capped their outstanding season with a 7-3 victory in the Class 5A state final over Douglas County. It also worked out well for them at the end since they were able to beat the only team they lost to during the regular season.
Unlike in an earlier meeting, when Columbine couldn’t score in their loss to Douglas County, the Rebels scored four in the first inning in the state final. A two-run homer by junior Eva Martinez was followed by another two-run homer by freshman Nina Vargas and it was quickly 4-0. Pitcher Araya Ogden then made it stand up and finished with six shutout innings. Columbine also won its second Colorado state title in four years.
The other major Colorado divisional state champion crowned was Lutheran of Parker. The Lions, who won the Class 3A crown last season, took it all in Class 4A this time with a 3-0 triumph over Holy Family of Broomfield. Holy Family was the defending champion in the division, but couldn’t solve Lutheran pitcher Hailey Maestretti, who struck out 17 batters.
Along with the Georgia state championships this weekend, the Missouri state finals also will be held. Blue Springs South in Class 5 and Washington in Class 2 are the two teams from this week’s top 25 looking to wrap it up with state championships.
— By Mark Tennis
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(Teams listed with most current win-loss records as of Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022)
(Previous record in parentheses)
*Indicates season complete.
- (2) Pope (Marietta, Ga.) 31-1
- (1) Buford (Buford, Ga.) 28-1
- (3) Columbine (Littleton, Colo.) 28-1*
- (4) Blue Springs South (Blue Springs, Mo.) 32-2
- (5) Marian (Omaha, Neb.) 33-2*
*** Scroll down to see the rest of the Extra Elite Fall Rankings including the rest of the Top 25, ones that dropped out and teams on the bubble!
