USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25 Poll 

Central Cabarrus remained the top team in the nation in this week’s USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25 Softball Poll. 

Monte Sherrill’s squad, winners of 70 straight, moved their record to 14-0 on the season to hold the top position ahead of a previous No. 1, Cactus (Ariz.). 

Keller (Texas), who held the top spot the opening weeks of the season, moved up to third, while Canyon del Oro moved up two places to fourth, jumping Garland who stayed at No. 5. 

Bartow’s continued success in the Florida prep ranks kept it advancing up the poll, moving one place to sixth. Freedom came in tops among California squads, advancing one place to seventh. 

Previous No. 2 Ft. Bend Elkins (Texas) dropped six places to eighth, ahead of a Royal (Calif.) squad that moved up to ninth. Palm Beach Gardens broke back into the top 10 at the No. 10 position. 

Escambia out of Florida improved three places this week to No. 11, while Sunnyslope (Ariz.) continued its rise with a three-spot jump to 12th. Woodcreek (Calif.), St. Amant (La.) improved to Nos. 13 and 14, respectively, while Florida standout Santa Fe jumped into the poll at No. 15 with a 22-0 mark on the season. 

Another newcomer followed Santa Fe into the poll, as Oakdale (Calif.) filled the No. 16 slot. Chamberlain (Fla.) dropped four places to No. 17, while El Dorado plunged nine places to No. 18. St. Benedict (Tenn.) improved to 26-3 overall to advance four places to 19th, while Brenham (Texas) dropped four spots to No. 20. 

Buena (Ariz.) and Bishop O’Connell (Va.) earned their first rankings of the season at nos. 21 and 22, while Regina (Mich.), Bradshaw Mountain (Ariz.) and Olathe East (Kan.) rounded out the poll.