Dan Albano’s Orange County softball rankings:
ORANGE COUNTY TOP 25
(Records through Sunday; PRV is previous ranking)
1. Los Alamitos (15-5; PRV: 1)
Griffins stumbled against Edison early last week but bounced back to finish third at Carew Classic.
2. Orange Lutheran (16-6-1; PRV: 3)
Lancers shook off a second Trinity League loss last week to put a major scare into nationally No. 1-ranked Norco in finals of Carew Classic.
3. Santa Margarita (20-1; PRV: 2)
Eagles play host to Trinity League leader Mater Dei on Tuesday with a chance to create a tie for first place.
4. Huntington Beach (14-6; PRV: 5)
Imagine where a banged up Oilers squad that is 1-1 with Los Al, Edison and Marina would be if healthy.
5. Marina (14-6; PRV: 4)
Vikings play Los Alamitos and Edison this week after falling to Huntington Beach in their only game last week.
6. Mater Dei (13-8-1; PRV: 12)
Surging Monarchs climb six spots after beating Orange Lutheran and Pacifica last week.
7. Edison (14-7, PRV: 8)
Chargers rise a spot after upsetting Los Alamitos in the Surf League and reaching the finals of the Dugard Classic.
8. Pacifica (8-3-1; PRV: 6)
Mariners play host to rival Kennedy on Tuesday after going 2-3 at the Carew Classic.
9. Aliso Niguel (14-5; PRV: 7)
Wolverines travel to Orange Lutheran on Tuesday after not playing a game last week.
10. Cypress (14-6-2; PRV: 9)
Centurions’ two narrow wins against rising Canyon look even better after Comanches placed sixth at Carew Classic.
11. Canyon (14-4-1; PRV: 11)
Comanches’ young talent has them on the verge of a top-10 rankings but Villa Park looms Friday.
12. Esperanza (16-7; PRV: 10)
Aztecs split with Brea Olinda last week but ended by taking third at Dugard Classic.
13. Villa Park (13-6; PRV: 13)
Spartans face big week with games at Yorba Linda, Esperanza and Canyon.
14. Kennedy (13-4; PRV: 16)
Fighting Irish scored three times in the first inning against Cypress last week but lost 5-4.
15. Whittier Christian (16-2; PRV: 14)
Heralds outscored two opponents 20-1 last week.
16. La Habra (6-6-2; PRV: NR)
Highlanders showed their potential by defeating Sonora 8-6 in the Freeway League last week.
17. Sonora (14-3; PRV: 15)
Raiders’ losses are against solid teams: Santa Fe, Whittier Christian and La Habra.
18. El Modena (14-6-1; PRV: 17)
Vanguards won consolation title at Dugard Classic but play three tough games this week: El Dorado, Foothill and Brea Olinda.
19. El Dorado (11-8; PRV: 19)
It’s a telling week for the Golden Hawks. They play four consecutive days starting Monday, April 8.
20. Godinez (15-3; PRV: 18)
Grizzlies play No. 17 Sonora in a spotlight game at the Fullerton tournament Saturday.
21. Foothill (12-11; PRV: 20)
Freshman Odhi Vasquez struck out nine in a victory against Yorba Linda last week.
22. Dana Hills (11-4-1; PRV: 21)
Dolphins play host to Mission Viejo in key South Coast League game on Tuesday.
23. San Juan Hills (11-4; PRV: 22)
Stallions play at South Coast League leader Aliso Niguel on Friday.
24. Mission Viejo (7-11; PRV: 23)
Diablos hope to sweep Dana Hills in the South Coast League on Tuesday.
25T. Brea Olinda (11-10; PRV: 24)
Wildcats play host to El Modena in key North Hills League game Friday.
25T. Santiago (16-0; PRV: 25)
Cavaliers aim for win No. 17 when they play host to Los Amigos on Tuesday.
Also considered: Beckman, JSerra, San Clemente
Please send feedback regarding rankings to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter
