One of the biggest upsets in California high school softball history on Tuesday and a big win in the Class 6A state finals in Florida last weekend has shaken up this week’s Line Drive Softball Super 70 national rankings.

Huge Upset in Cali

First, the California shocker.

It happened on Tuesday in the first round of the CIF NorCal D1 regional playoffs as a team with 11 losses, Amador Valley of Pleasanton (Calif.), knocked off previously unbeaten, state No. 1 and national No. 1 St. Francis of Mountain View, 4-1.

The Lancers didn’t start Texas A&M-bound Kate Munnerlyn and it was 3-0 by the time she came into the game. Amador Valley got an inspired effort from Kaylee Davis, who had a five-hitter with six strikeouts and hit an RBI double in the first inning. The loss ended the season for St. Francis and means the team can’t be No. 1 in California and also may eventually have to drop behind the CIF NorCal D1 champion in the final rankings.

New Champ in Florida Class 6A

The team that was No. 3 last week, Bartow of Florida, also did not defend its Class 6A state championship. The Yellowjackets had won in their regional final over Melbourne (Fla.), which was unbeaten at the time and sitting at No. 1 in these rankings. They defeated previous No. 7 Doral Academy in the semifinals, but in the title game were blanked 2-0 by Pace (Fla.).

Pace has a group of seniors this year that have gone to the Florida Class 6A final four the past four seasons. This time, after two semi-final appearances and a loss to Bartow in the state final last season, the Patriots avenged last year’s defeat on a two-run homer in the top of the third inning by Jayden Heavener and then Heavener completed a dominant pitching performance with 16 strikeouts.

Historically Great Season in Alabama

In last week’s rankings, it was mentioned that one team that should have been rooting for Pace to win in the loaded Florida Class 6A playoffs is Orange Beach of Alabama. The Makos have a head-to-head win over the Patriots and they also have a head-to-head win over Alabama Class 6A state champ Hewitt-Trussville.

There is one loss in a 46-1 season, but Alabama teams play so many games that 46-1 is a historically great record for a team there. Orange Beach won the Class 4A state title two weeks ago. It has been moved up to No. 1 this week and will stay there as these rankings (been done since the 1990s) don’t drop No. 1 teams that are done playing.

Another factor helping both Orange Beach and the team that is now going to finish No. 1 in California, Pacifica of Garden Grove, in this week’s rankings is that previous No. 4 Katy was eliminated in the Class 6A state playoffs in Texas. The Tigers lost twice in a three-game series last weekend to Kingwood, which is now going to face Midway of Waco in this week’s regional finals.

(Through reported results of Tuesday, May 28, 2024)

(Previous ranking in parentheses)

*Indicates season complete.

1. (2) Orange Beach (Orange Beach, Ala.) 46-1*

2. (5) Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.) 27-2*

3. (12) Pace (Pace, Fla.) 28-2*

4. (3) Bartow (Bartow, Fla.) 30-2*

5. (24) Guyer (Denton, Texas) 37-4

6. (8) Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) 21-4*

7. (6) Melbourne (Melbourne, Fla.) 29-1*

8. (11) Watkins Memorial (Patalaskala, Ohio) 30-1

9. (9) Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) 34-0*

10. (10) Summerville (Summerville, S.C.) 30-0*