Here is the first edition of the Post-Crescent area high school rankings of top softball, baseball and girls soccer teams. Records are through May 4.
Softball
1, Fox Valley Lutheran: The Foxes are 13-0 and sitting atop the Bay Conference with a 10-0 mark. They have one of the top pitchers in the state in junior Madison Babcock, along with top players Natalie Bromm, Claire Pfrang and Nora Probst. FVL is coming off a 2-0 victory over Appleton North and plays New London on May 5 before a showdown with Seymour on May 7. It has outscored opponents 151-5 this season with 10 shutouts.
2, Hortonville: The Polar Bears are off to a tremendous start with an 11-1 record. Grace Danoski is putting herself on the short list for Post-Crescent player of the year candidates. Hortonville suffered its first loss of the season in a 5-0 defeat at Kaukauna.
3, Kimberly: The Papermakers beat Fond du Lac, 5-1, on May 4 and are 9-2 overall and have won four of their last five. Team has home dates against Hortonville (May 5) and Stevens Point (May 6).
4, Seymour: The Thunder is 10-2 and in second place in the Bay Conference behind FVL. Kendra Rettler is having a strong season, batting .476 with three home runs and 10 RBIs. She also has a 0.64 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched.
5, Brillion: The Lions are 11-4 overall and are led by senior Amaya Brooks (.500 average, three home runs, 26 RBIs). Grace Krueger is batting .404 for the Lions and is 6-2 in the circle.
Also: St. Mary Catholic, Freedom, Appleton North, Neenah, Hilbert.
Baseball
1, Kimberly: The Papermakers vault to No. 1 after a 3-2 victory over Appleton North on May 4. Lex Knaebe had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs for Kimberly. The Papermakers are 10-1 overall and 7-1 in the Fox Valley Association.
2, Appleton North: Lightning is looking to rebound after 3-2 loss to Kimberly. Record is 10-2 overall and 6-1 in the FVA, a half-game behind league-leader Kimberly.
3, Hortonville: Third-ranked Polar Bears are 14-1 overall and 7-1 in the FVA. Team’s lone loss was to Appleton North on April 21. Team plays at Kimberly on May 5 and at home against Neenah on May 7.
4, Fox Valley Lutheran: Foxes are 10-4 overall and lead the Bay Conference with a 7-1 record. Team hosts Xavier on May 5 and travels to Xavier on May 7.
5, Xavier: The Hawks are second in the Bay Conference with a 6-1 record and 6-2 overall. Team’s two losses have come against Notre Dame and Seymour.
Also: Seymour, Brillion, Kaukauna, Neenah, Winneconne.
Girls soccer
1, Kimberly: The Papermakers are 8-0 and ranked second in Division 1 in the latest maxpreps.com rankings. Defense has allowed just one goal and has seven shutouts. Team has Fox Valley Association showdown at home against Appleton North on May 5.
2, Appleton North: Lightning boasts 11-1 mark and has battle for FVA top spot with Kimberly on May 5. Team’s lone loss was to Sheboygan North.
3, Xavier: Hawks are 10-0 and coming off 3-0 victory over Ashland on May 2. Team has allowed just two goals and has shut out its past seven opponents. Hawks host undefeated Winneconne on May 5.
4, Winneconne: Wolves having banner season and are 9-0 overall. Team has powerful 1-2 punch with Harper Neace (21 goals) and Suri Hottmann (17).
5, Neenah: The Rockets are 5-3-1 overall and 3-1 in FVA play. Losses include a 1-0 defeat to second-ranked Appleton North and 2-1 setback to Kettle Moraine.
Also: Kaukauna, Freedom.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Which area teams top our softball, baseball and girls soccer rankings?
Reporting by Ricardo Arguello, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
