LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Ohio and New Jersey state tournaments were cause for subtle changes in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 this week, as softball seasons around the country continue to wind down.
No. 6 Austintown-Fitch (23-1) captured the Ohio Division I state title on Saturday with a 4-0 ranked victory over Watkins Memorial (31-2), which actually moved up one place to ninth in the poll. Watkins defeated Anthony Wayne (30-2), who had been ranked ahead of them in eighth, 2-0 in Friday’s Division I semifinal.
Lake Central (32-2) dropped a spot to 12th after being ousted by Penn, 4-2, in Saturday’s Indiana Class 4A semi-state semifinal, while Mount St. Dominic (30-1) remained 15th and continued to advance in the New Jersey state playoffs. Notre Dame (25-2), meanwhile, lost three places after a 3-0 loss to St. John Vianney in Monday’s South Jersey non-public Class A final.
Marist (35-3) stayed put at No. 21 after picking up a pair of Illinois state tournament triumphs. The Red Hawks play one-loss Mundelein (36-1) in the 4A state semis on Friday.
State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.
USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 6, 2024
1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)
Record: 34-0 | PR: 1
2. Calvary Baptist (La.)
Record: 35-2 | PR: 2
3. Sterlington (La.)
Record: 33-1 | PR: 3
4. Orange Beach (Ala.)
Record: 46-1 | PR: 4
5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)
Record: 25-0 | PR: 5
6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)
Record: 23-1 | PR: 6
7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)
Record: 22-1 | PR: 7
8. Diamond (Mo.)
Record: 38-1 | PR: 9
9. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)
Record: 31-2 | PR: 10
10. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)
Record: 30-2 | PR: 8
11. Jackson (Wash.)
Record: 26-2 | PR: 12
12. Lake Central (Ind.)
Record: 32-2 | PR: 11
13. Skyview (Wash.)
Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 13
14. Saint Francis (Calif.)
Record: 28-1 | PR: 14
15. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)
Record: 30-1 | PR: 15
16. Bartow (Fla.)
Record: 30-2 | PR: 17
17. Sheridan (Ark.)
Record: 29-2 | PR: 18
18. Pacifica (Calif.)
Record: 27-2 | PR: 19
19. Notre Dame (N.J.)
Record: 25-2 | PR: 16
20. Katy (Texas)
Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 20
21. Marist (Ill.)
Record: 35-3 | PR: 21
22. Oak Grove (N.C.)
Record: 24-3 | PR: 22
23. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)
Record: 16-3 | PR: 23
24. Owyhee (Utah)
Record: 25-4 | PR: 24
t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)
Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25
t-25. North DeSoto (La.)
Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25
Dropped out: none.
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