Preseason Softball Top 20

1. AMADOR VALLEY-PLEASANTON (24-3 in 2015)
One year after winning the 2014 North Coast Section Division I title behind Ms. State Softball-winner Johanna Grauer’s arm and bat, the Dons pulled off the repeat led by another multi-purpose star. Danielle Williams took on the starting pitcher role and went 24-3 with a 0.79 ERA, seven shutouts and one no-hitter. She was also the team’s top hitter, batting a robust .532. She was just a freshman. The Dons graduated just five from their 2015 championship roster and will fill in gaps from a JV team which went 16-5.

2. ALHAMBRA-MARTINEZ (25-3)
  The Bulldogs enter 2016 on a 17-game winning streak after they smashed their way to an NCS Div. II title a season ago. When we say “˜smashed,’ we mean SMASHED. Alhambra returns 2015 SportStars Player of the Year, Briana Perez (.608 average, 14 HR, 42 RBI), as well as Karlee Sparacino (.448, 45 RBI) and Cara DiMercurio (.440, 7 HR, 28 RBI). The 2015 roster’s only graduate was pitcher Shelby Clemons.

3. PIONEER-SAN JOSE (29-1)
  The Mustangs may have lost their biggest offensive weapons from their Central Coast Section Division II runner-up finish a year ago, but they still return the Bay Area’s most dominant pitcher. Junior Holly Azevedo surrendered just eight runs (ONE earned) in 177 innings last season while striking out 253.

4. BENICIA (28-4)
Another team with three-peat aspirations, the two-time defending Sac-Joaquin Div. II champion Panthers are led by San Diego State-bound infielder Shelby Thompson(.597, 39 runs, 10 HR and 38 RBI in 2015). Thompson was one of several underclassmen who contributed to the team’s .399 batting average a season ago. McKenna Gregory (.507, 6 HR, 27 RBI) returns as Benicia’s ace, having posted a 15-1 record and 1.94 ERA with 14 complete games and three shutouts as a sophomore last year.

5. HERITAGE-BRENTWOOD (20-4)
This will be the third season that the core of this team has been together. The Patriots lost just one graduate and should return a bevy of offensive talent to go with plenty of experience in the circle.

6. ELK GROVE (28-4)
Returning talent includes the pitching tandem of Miranda Miles (11-2, 2.23 ERA) and Courtney Riley (14-2, 1.41). Offense should not be a problem either.

7. SHELDON-SACRAMENTO (24-7)
  Much like Alhambra, the only graduate from the Huskies’ 2015 SJS Div. I championship squad was the team’s pitcher. Sheldon has offense to burn.

8. EAST UNION-MANTECA (30-3)
  Even with the tough break of losing junior standout Alexis Erich to injury, it’s hard not to like a team that returns seven starters following a 30-win, SJS-championship campaign.

9. ARCHBISHOP MITTY-SAN JOSE (27-3)
Much of the talent which produced a three-year combined record of 82-5 with two CCS Div. II titles has graduated, but the Monarchs are never a program to fade away.

10. CASTRO VALLEY (22-6)
  The Trojans featured just two seniors a year ago when they reached the NCS Div. I semifinals. Double-threat pitcher, Delaney Heller, leads the way.

  11. CARLMONT-BELMONT (22-6)

  12. WOODCREEK-ROSEVILLE (25-3-1)

  13. NEWARK MEMORIAL (21-6)

  14. VACAVILLE (21-10)

  15. ST. MARY’S-STOCKTON (25-6)

  16. REDWOOD-LARKSPUR (27-3)

  17. FREEDOM-OAKLEY (17-8)

  18. SIERRA-MANTECA (19-5)

  19. SAN BENITO-HOLLISTER (24-5)

  20. DEL CAMPO-FAIR OAKS (21-10)