The high school boys/girls basketball seasons are still ongoing, but just on the horizon are spring sports. One that stands out during the spring months is high school softball, with there being many great teams all around the country ready to break out the cleats, gloves and bats.
Topping the rankings to start off the 2026 preseason for high school softball season are Texas’ Melissa Cardinals, which went 38-1 and won the UIL Class 5A, Division I state championship a year ago. The Cardinals return a bevy of starters from last year’s crew and look to top the rankings. Which other teams join Melissa in our first-ever Rivals High School Top 25 softball rankings?
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We dive in to the best high school softball teams around the country and give you our take on which teams stay in the conversation.
1. Melissa Cardinals (TX) (0-0)
How can we not have a team at the top that’s only lost once in their last 50 attempts? This Melissa Cardinals roster is loaded and it all starts with Class of 2027 right-handed pitcher Eloisa Maes, who is committed to Arizona. Last season for the Cardinals, Maes in 33 appearances with a 31-0 record, 1.31 earned run average and struck out 229 batters. Coming off a season in which Melissa defeated Barbers Hill in a Best of 3-series to win the UIL Class 5A, Division I state championship, the Cardinals will start off the season at the top of the high school softball mountain.
2. Orange Beach Makos (AL) (0-0)
Coming in right behind the Melissa Cardinals in the second spot is the Orange Beach Makos of Alabama and there’s a litany of reasons to like this year’s team. Though the team graduated a few key pieces from last year’s bunch, the Makos bring back plenty of punch at the plate and to the circle as well. On the mound Orange Beach will lean on sophomore MK McMullan, who as a freshman last season went 16-1 and totaled over 100 strikeouts. Also add the fact that the Makos bring back power hitters Teagan Revette (Mississippi State commit), Ava Hodo (Arkansas commit) and you see why this is a group certainly worth right towards the top of our preseason rankings.
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3. Montverde Academy Eagles (Fla.) (0-0)
Best team out of the Sunshine State comes in at No. 3 in the Montverde Academy Eagles after the team went 27-3 last season, but did come up short of winning an FHSAA Class 3A state championship. We’re not so much staring at that missing trophy as we are with the kind of experienced roster Montverde Academy brings back as the Eagles only graduated four seniors. One of the best pitchers in Florida returns to the circle in senior Nevaeh Williams, who is committed to Ole Miss. Last season for the Eagles, Williams went 15-3 with an impressive 0.88 earned run average and fanned 169 batters. Expect Montverde Academy to be in the discussion for top team in the nation throughout the spring.
4. Lake Creek Lions (TX) (0-0)
Coming of an undefeated season and winning the UIL Class 5A, Division II state championship are the Lake Creek Lions. The Lions last season went 37-0 and had themselves one of the more dominant seasons of any team in the country in 2025, capping it by cruising past Hallsville for the 5A-Division II state title, 12-1. What pushes Lake Creek towards the top is they’re another team that features a number of returners, with the Lions only having three seniors on last year’s squad. Lake Creek has won four straight state championships and with the roster they have this spring, could be making it five in a row.
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5. Calvary Baptist Academy (La.) (0-0)
Taking the final spot to round out the Top 5 is the Calvary Baptist Academy Cavaliers. The Cavaliers ended up winning the LHSAA Division III Select state championship and did so in dominating fashion. Calvary Baptist Academy only yielded 45 runs through 38 games last season, shutting out opponents in 17 of those victories. Baylor Bockhaus had herself a massive freshman campaign in 2025 for the Cavaliers, belting 25 home runs and driving in 89 runs during the season. Georgia commit Kynzee Anderson is back in the circle after going 24-1 and striking out 245 batters last spring.
Rivals High School Softball Preseason Rankings Nos. 11-25
6. Barbers Hill Eagles (TX) (0-0)
7. Norco Cougars (Calif.) (0-0)
8. Thompson Warriors (Ala.) (0-0)
9. Coahoma Bulldogs (TX) (0-0)
10. Del Oro Golden Eagles (Calif.) (0-0)
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11. Taunton Tigers (Mass.) (0-0)
12. Central Red Devils (Ala.) (0-0)
13. La Salle Academy Rams (R.I.) (0-0)
14. Doral Academy Firebirds (Fla.) (0-0)
15. Joseph A. Foran Lions (Conn.) (0-0)
16. Neshannock Lancer (Pa.) (0-0)
17. Centennial Hawks (N.M.) (0-0)
18. Bentonville Tigers (AR) (0-0)
19. Bishop O’Connell Knights (Va.) (0-0)
20. Calvary Christian Warriors (Fla.) (0-0)
21. Mount Saint Dominic Academy Lions (N.J.) (0-0)
22. Kenton Ridge Cougars (OH) (0-0)
23. Curry Yellowjackets (Ala.) (0-0)
24. Catawba Ridge Copperheads (S.C.) (0-0)
25. Palo Verde Panthers (Nev.) (0-0)
How to Follow National High School Softball
For national high school softball fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the high school sports scene action. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the sports excitement across the country.
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