Who sits atop the Journal and Courier softball power rankings?
LAFAYETTE — Rossville junior and Virginia Tech commit Avery Layton pounded the strike zone during the Twin Lakes Invitational Tournament while Harrison continued its dominance over big school programs both in the Lafayette area and Indianapolis suburbs.
But which programs are among the top five in the area?
High school softball sectionals are two weeks away and it's time to rank the top teams in the Lafayette area.
1. Harrison (14-2)
Harrison's offensive lineup has faced hardly any trouble outside of being shutout on the road by nationally ranked Lake Central 10-0 on April 26. The Raiders lineup can beat teams in a multitude of ways. Harrison outfielder and DePaul signee Chelsea Parker (.547 average, one triple, seven doubles) leads nine batters that are hitting .300 or higher. Bradley University signed catcher Ava Mobley is one of the state's outstanding hitting catchers with five home runs, a .378, .491 and .866 slash line with an ability to catch runners stealing.
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2. Rossville (11-1)
Rossville junior pitcher Avery Layton leads a star laden lineup with sophomore shortstop Addi Gorbett (.423 average, 10 stolen bases, 15 RBI), senior first baseman Megan McDonald, (.304 batting average, four home runs) and pitcher Allie Elliott who besides her strike zone command (0.93 ERA, 64 strikeouts) is batting an impressive .339 with a home run, three triples and 12 RBI. Rossville is proving it can punch and punch hard above its 1A Class. Layton led an impressive weekend at the highly competitive Twin Lakes Invitational in Monticello this past Friday and Saturday. Rossville squared off against 3A Hamilton Heights losing 3-2 in the semifinals. The Virginia Tech commit Layton was intentionally walked four times that game and threw six innings with 15 strikeouts. Layton has 140 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings pitched with a 1.01 ERA. Add the bat where Layton is hitting .458 with five home runs and ranks sixth in Indiana with 38 RBI. Rossville's only loss is to Harrison and is the No. 2 ranked 1A team.
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3. McCutcheon (11-7)
McCutcheon is very young across its softball program but earned an impressive win over West Lafayette on April 12. Sophomore pitcher Kaidynn Peckinpaugh (1.44 ERA, 90 strikeouts and 31 walks, .440 batting average, three home runs) has been the key power catalyst for the Mavericks with junior infielder Mallorie Beutel (.521 average, three home runs, six doubles). McCutcheon's 15 of 16 players are underclassmen and could narrow the gap with Harrison next season.
4. West Lafayette (14-4)
West Lafayette sophomore pitcher Izzy Ascarelli has been the breakout star for the Red Devils. Ascarelli (1.96 ERA, 76 strikeouts) has dotted the strike zone as a left handed pitcher who throws to soft contact but can also mix elevations with her drop and rise ball to generate strikeouts. Ascarelli is also batting .509 with two doubles, four triples and 16 RBI. Add returning senior shortstop Adrianne Tolen (.579 batting average, 11 doubles, 21 RBI) with first baseman Bree Johnson (.455 batting average, 26 RBI) and the Red Devils have the talent to compete for a 3A Sectional title.
5. Tri-County (11-1)
Across the county sitting in equally impressive company is Tri-County, another Class 1A program that is beating up on bigger schools. Like Rossville, Tri-County's lone loss is to Harrison. The Cavaliers have a supreme sophomore class led by pitchers Maddi Nevitt (1.67 ERA, 69 strikeouts, 406 batting average), Grace Luck (1.96 ERA, .613 batting average with 13 RBI) with senior Ariana Dominguez leading her team with 26 RBI. Rossville and Tri-County will square off on May 20 in the final game of the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Journal and Courier top five high school softball power rankings
