Powerful pitching leads the way: Cape Cod high school softball rankings
We are just about halfway through the Cape Cod high school softball season and teams are starting to gel together and figure out how to beat opposing teams.
In the latest Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Power Rankings, there would be four playoff teams (Falmouth, Monomoy, Bourne, Martha's Vineyard) if the season ended today. However, there are still plenty of games to be played, and most of the Cape Cod teams technically still have a chance to make the postseason.
This list features teams with a pitcher who has thrown a no-hitter, batters who hit dingers, and much more.
Here is the first Cape Cod high school softball rankings of the season.
*Records in parenthesis as of May 4.
1. Monomoy (9-1)
The Sharks only have one loss this season to Falmouth, but also beat the Clippers on the road as well. Alana Ljoko has found success at the plate and on the mound. In a win over Sturgis East, she struck out 11, and finished 3-for-4 at the plate. When you have one loss, its not just one player that gets wins.
Kiley Mawn, Lilly Furman, Kinsey Lister, Katie Huse and Bella Bellereuille are just some of the pieces that have helped the Sharks this season. Monomoy is unbeaten on the road at 6-0. They have scored at least 20 runs in two games, and have held their opponents to single digits in every game since the season opener.
2. Falmouth (7-3)
Rylin Briggs has arguably been the best overall player on Cape Cod, and has done it all for the Clippers. She pitched seven innings, struck out 19, and allowed three hits for Falmouth in an 8-3 win over Sturgis. At the plate, Briggs went 2-for-3, with a home run, two scored runs and two RBIs. Two days later, she threw a no-hitter in a win over Monomoy, and added two RBIs.
The Clippers are currently on a four-game win streak where they have scored at least 13 runs and outscored their opponents by a combined score of 65-6. Anna Bennett, Kaylee Shaw, Christina Femino, Kendall Joseph, and Molly Belfiore have been key pieces at bat.
3. Bourne (4-5)
The Lady Canalmen started the season started the season 1-6, but instead of giving up, they have won three straight. They have only allowed six or less runs in over that stretch, as opposed to doing that one time in their six losses. Jadyn Morrell has led the way on the mound, while players like Olivia Meda, Paige Meda, Michaela Muldoon and Jill Allen have been consistent at the plate. Bourne has turned their season around at the right time and can get to, or over, .500 for the first time this season next week with four games.
4. Upper Cape (5-5)
Taysia Lopes has been the Rams best player on the mound, and also can get it done at the plate. In a 32-1 win over Mashpee, Lopes finished with 11 strikeouts and hit a three-run home run. Jaelynn Harraden, Meadow Diede (two home runs in one game), Lucy Pesta, Emma King, and Grace Delorie are some of the key contributors on offense for the Rams. In the their first three wins of the season, the Rams scored at least 22 runs in each game. In their latest win, they shutout Bristol Aggie 11-0. They have showed signs that they know how to win game, but they need to stay consistent. Their longest win streak of the season has been two games.
5. Dennis-Yarmouth (4-7)
Don't let the record fool you. In addition to having losses to Falmouth and Monomoy, the Dolphins have faced Marshfield (5-3), Plymouth South (9-1), Mansfield (7-6) and Wareham (8-3). Their road has not been easy so far, but they still have managed four wins so far. Savannah Azoff, Lily Leandre, Charleigh Hicks, Alexa Barboza, Brooke Chicoine, Makenna Garcia, and Patsy Newell have all contributed for D-Y.
Honorable Mention
Martha's Vineyard (5-4)
The reason the Vineyarders are an honorable mention with a winning record is because their five wins are against teams with a combined record of 2-22. They started off slow with a 1-3 start, but since then, they have figured it out as they have won four of their last five games. In three of those wins, they have scored at least 23 runs. Three of those victories have came on the road. The Vineyarders are young with no seniors on the roster, but that does not mean they are short of talent.
Sturgis (4-5)
Sturgis get a spot on this list because their schedule has not been the easiest. They have two losses to Falmouth and one to Monomoy as well. Ryley Mayo, Julianna Grygent, and Molly Reino have been key hitters, while Elsa Wiesner has led the way on the mound.
Nauset (5-6)
The Warriors have the talent, but just need to stay consistent. They have scored at least 34 runs in two games this season, but they have only won back-to-back games once. Brynn Kew, Naomi Francis and Audrey Silva have been some of the key contributors for Nauset so far this season.
Contact Courtney Jacobs at cjacobs@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @CJ_Journalist.
Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod high school softball rankings
