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Here are the Top 10 SJ County prep softball teams at Week 8

Shannon Mia Belt, The Stockton Record
·7 min read

The Sac-Joaquin Section high school softball playoff picture is starting to become clearer as the regular season winds down.

Maintaining its first-place status for the fourth week in a row is Tracy who is currently ranked No. 3 in the section. The Bulldogs have been a force to reckon with in the Tri-City Athletic League and will look to make waves in the Division 1 playoffs.

Outside of Tracy, other elite area teams have been beefing up their win column looking to better their chances of qualifying for the SJS playoffs. Only the top three or four teams in each league will land a spot in the postseason and these area teams are shoo-ins in their respective leagues.

Here are the Record’s Top 10 SJ County prep softball teams as SJ County teams begin to wrap up the 2023-24 regular season.

Tracy's Taylor Sansaver, left, slides safely at second as St. Mary's Alyssa Garcia waits for the throw during a varsity softball game at the Tracy Sports Complex in Tracy on Mar. 21, 2024. Tracy won 5-1.
Tracy's Taylor Sansaver, left, slides safely at second as St. Mary's Alyssa Garcia waits for the throw during a varsity softball game at the Tracy Sports Complex in Tracy on Mar. 21, 2024. Tracy won 5-1.

1. Tracy (18-2-1) 40 points

Next game: at Tokay on April 23

Maintaining the top spot hasn’t been easy but Tracy has done it for the entire TCAL season. The Bulldogs hold a 10-1 league record and they haven’t lost a league game since March 26.

Their most recent victory came against a tough Lincoln squad on April 18. Junior pitcher Elisa Galli only allowed the Trojans one run, finishing the game with nine strikeouts and one error. Tracy took the game 4-1 with four more games to go to lock in the TCAL championship.

Manteca's Nayellys Torres delivers a pitch during a varsity softball game against Oakdale at Manteca on Apr. 11, 2024.
Manteca's Nayellys Torres delivers a pitch during a varsity softball game against Oakdale at Manteca on Apr. 11, 2024.

2. Manteca (13-3) 36 points

Next game: at Lincoln on April 22

For the fourth week in a row, the Buffaloes earned the No. 2 ranking after going 2-0 since last week’s rankings. They picked up wins over East Union and more recently Kimball on April 18. Manteca went eight innings against a relentless Kimball squad and would go on to win the game 11-10.

The pressure was on for senior pitcher Nayellys Torres as the Jaguars' offense got 10 hits off her. Just a game before Torres made school history notching 438 Ks to lead the program and would need to shine once more to beat Kimball. She ended the game with three strikeouts and a W on the mound.

Kimball's Kaeliana DePerio, right, makes it to second safely before the tag by Lincoln's Alicia Ott during a girls varsity softball game at Kimball High in Tracy on Mar. 7, 2024. Kimball won 13-7.
Kimball's Kaeliana DePerio, right, makes it to second safely before the tag by Lincoln's Alicia Ott during a girls varsity softball game at Kimball High in Tracy on Mar. 7, 2024. Kimball won 13-7.

3. Kimball (9-7) 28 points

Next game: vs. Central Catholic on April 23

In the top three for the first time are the Jaguars who have survived a vicious Valley Oak League schedule this season. They hold a 2-4 league record and are in fourth place the last qualifying spot for the SJS playoffs. A game circled on their calendar to better their postseason chances is the May 2 game against East Union.

Kimball and East Union are tied for fourth place but the Jaguars hold the upper hand. They beat the Lancers 8-5 on April 11 thanks to junior Kaeliana DePerio who reeled in three RBIs, three hits and two runs.

Lodi's Allison Frank swings her bat looking for a hit during one of the Flames softball games during the 2023-24 season.
Lodi's Allison Frank swings her bat looking for a hit during one of the Flames softball games during the 2023-24 season.

4. Lodi (16-6) 29 points

Next game: at Lincoln on April 23

Since last week’s rankings, the Flames have gone 1-1 with a win against Tokay and a heartbreaking loss to St. Mary’s on April 18. The 2-1 loss to the Rams caused them to drop one spot but remain in the area's top five teams.

It was a battle between pitchers as each team wouldn’t let a run get by easily. Senior Hannah Escalante did all she could for Lodi and finished the game with four Ks but allowed six hits compared to St. Mary’s pitcher Angelina Martinez’s four allowed hits. Despite the loss, Lodi remains in second place in the TCAL.

More: Spring Signing Day: 14 SJ County athletes who signed letters of intent this spring

5. Ripon (10-4) 27 points

Next game: vs. Hughson on April 24

The Indians remain at the top of the Trans Valley League as they are still undefeated in league play with a 4-0 record. Their crosstown rivals Escalon were looking to put an end to their perfect record in a game that would go down to the wire on April 17.

Ripon went two extra innings against the Cougars and escaped with a 3-2 victory. Leading its clutch win was the senior-junior duo of Kharime Caratachea and Alana Hernandez. Hernandez led offensively with a home run, two RBIs and two hits while Carartachea handled Escalon on the mound with 13 Ks.

Linden Laney Cox takes a big cut at a McNair pitch during a road San Joaquin Athletic Association League softball game vs McNair High in Stockton, CA on Wednesday, March 27
Linden Laney Cox takes a big cut at a McNair pitch during a road San Joaquin Athletic Association League softball game vs McNair High in Stockton, CA on Wednesday, March 27

6. Linden (13-5) 12 points

Next game: vs. Chavez on April 24

The Lions come into Week 8 with their highest ranking in the Record’s Top 10 SJ County prep softball teams at No. 6. They earned this spot thanks to stellar San Joaquin Atheltic Association play that has them in first place with a 7-0 record.

Linden is in a league of its own just bulldozing through SJAA play. Its most recent victory came against Weston Ranch on April 17 and the Lions had an offensive explosion.

Sophomore Audrey Pitt and junior Laney Cox had the team’s hottest bats leading the Lions to a 28-0 blowout over the Cougars. Pitt ended the night with a team-high four runs along with four RBIs and three hits. Cox led her team in hits with five and reeled in four runs and three RBIs.

More: 'We're at the top': Manteca boys volleyball beats Sierra to win VOL Championship

7. East Union (12-7) 19 points

Next game: at Oakdale on April 25

A three-game skid puts the Lancers at No. 7 in the Record’s Week 8 Top 10 SJ County prep softball teams rankings. They lost to Central Catholic, Kimball and Manteca, putting them tied for fourth place in the VOL.

East Union was able to bounce back with a dominating win over crosstown rival Sierra on April 18. The 6-1 victory was an offensive explosion for the Lancers with senior Mackenzie Nervis at the forefront. She went the distance for a solo home run, her fourth homer of the season.

8. Mountain House (16-5) 12 points

Next game: vs. Los Banos on April 23

Mountain House is working its way into the top three spots in the Western Athletic Conference. The Mustangs are currently ranked third in the league with a 7-1 record and its lone loss came against Los Banos on March 21.

With only the top three teams from the WAC qualifying for the SJS playoffs, they will need to maintain their standings as the regular season winds down. A key player in helping them do so is sophomore Isabel Obaob who has led their offense. Obaob holds a .569 batting average and a team-high 41 hits, 40 runs and 27 stolen bases.

Kimball's Kaeliana DePerio, left, turns to tag Lincoln's Mallory Wagner out at second during a girls varsity softball game at Kimball High in Tracy on Mar. 7, 2024. Pamplona was ruled safe. Kimball won 13-7.
Kimball's Kaeliana DePerio, left, turns to tag Lincoln's Mallory Wagner out at second during a girls varsity softball game at Kimball High in Tracy on Mar. 7, 2024. Pamplona was ruled safe. Kimball won 13-7.

9. Lincoln (8-10-1) 3 points

Next game: vs. Manteca on April 22

In third place of the loaded TCAL is Lincoln who holds a 5-6 league record. The Trojans worked their way up to No. 9 after maintaining its placing in the league and picking up a big-time win over crosstown rivals St. Mary’s.

Leading them past the Rams was freshman Mallory Wagner who stepped up during her at-bats. She led Lincoln with two RBIs, two hits and a run. The Trojans went on to take the game 5-4 and will look to carry that success over to non-league play against Manteca.

St. Marys' Bella Gomez hits a bunt during a varsity softball game against Tracy at the Tracy Sports Complex in Tracy on Mar. 21, 2024. Tracy won 5-1.
St. Marys' Bella Gomez hits a bunt during a varsity softball game against Tracy at the Tracy Sports Complex in Tracy on Mar. 21, 2024. Tracy won 5-1.

10. St. Mary’s (10-12-1) 4 points

Next game: at West on April 23

Back in the Record’s Top 10 SJ County prep softball are the Rams who are working to get themselves back in the SJS Division 1 playoff conversation. They are tied for third place in the TCAL with rivals Lincoln holding a 5-6 record.

St. Mary’s most recent win came against Lodi a much-needed 2-1 dub. Only the top four teams from the TCAL will qualify for the playoffs and the Rams are clinging to that last spot. They will need to beat Tokay on April 30 to ensure it doesn’t fall to fifth place.

On the bubble teams: Lathrop, Tokay, and Millennium

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Here are the Top 10 SJ County prep softball teams at Week 8