Softball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference, area UCC, through May 20

1. South Plainfield (19-4) - last week No. 2 — The Tigers claimed the GMCT title with back-to-back, 10-0 victories over Metuchen and Old Bridge, respectively, then extended their winning streak to nine games by defeating Brearley on Monday. South Plainfield plays host to Payne Tech on Wednesday in the opening round of the state tournament.

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2. Old Bridge (19-5) - last week No. 1 — The Knights recorded their ninth consecutive win when they rallied to end St. Thomas’s five-year reign as GMCT champs in the semis, before falling to South Plainfield in the championship game. Old Bridge welcomes in Manalapan in the state tournament on Wednesday.

3. St. Thomas Aquinas (14-7) - last week No. 4 — The Trojans posted a five-inning triumph over East Brunswick in the quarterfinals, but failed to win the GMCT title for the first time since 2017 when they fell to Old Bridge in the semifinals. St. Thomas plays host to Camden Catholic in state tournament action on Thursday.

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4. Metuchen (11-10) - last week No. 3 — The Bulldogs had a five-game winning streak ended in five innings by South Plainfield in the GMCT semifinals, then lost to Dayton and Roselle Park. Metuchen faces Bordentown at home on Wednesday in the state tournament.

5. Spotswood (18-8) - last week No. 8 — The Chargers have scored five runs during their four-game losing streak, which included non-conference losses to Allentown, Elizabeth and Jackson Memorial. Spotswood plays host to Rumson-Fair Haven in the state tournament on Wednesday.

6. East Brunswick (15-9) - last week No. 6 — The Bears fell to St. Thomas in five innings in the GMCT quarterfinals, their lone outing last week, and defeated North Brunswick on Monday. East Brunswick takes on Monroe in the state tournament on Wednesday.

7. Sayreville (12-7) - last week No. 7 — The Bombers lost at Allentown last Monday and haven’t played since. Sayreville begins state tournament play at home against West Windsor-Plainsboro North on Wednesday.

8. Colonia (14-10) - last week No. 10 — The Patriots won a pair of close contests last week over Woodbridge and Holmdel. Colonia welcomes in Ferris on Wednesday in the state tournament.

9. North Brunswick (16-6) - last week No. 8 — The Raiders fell to East Brunswick on Monday and takes on South Brunswick at home in the state tournament on Wednesday.

10. Woodbridge (12-11) - last week No. 9 — The Barrons fell to Colonia and Middletown South last week, and shut out Highland Park on Monday. Woodbridge travels to Westfield in its state tournament opener on Wednesday.

ALSO RECEIVING CONSIDERATION: East Brunswick Magnet (15-5), Middlesex (11-9), Monroe (6-13), Mother Seton (15-2), Perth Amboy (12-11), South Brunswick (8-15), Wardlaw-Hartridge (15-3).

Follow GMC beat writer Josh Rosenfeld on Twitter/X @JoshPRosenfeld

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Softball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conf., area UCC, May 20