Softball: New team takes over top spot in latest Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings
County tournament action is in full swing as the calendar turns to May.
As we shift to the second month of the softball season, here is the latest edition of the Morris/Sussex Top 10 softball rankings:
10. Hanover Park (11-2)
Last week: No. 9
Hanover Park was shut out in both of its losses so far this season, though they both came against state-ranked opponents. The Hornets lost a 1-0 game to Morris Catholic on Wednesday, snapping a seven-game win streak. Three days later, they started a new winning streak as Jules Piano struck out 13 batters in a 9-5 win over Indian Hills at the Pride/Essex Challenge.
9. Whippany Park (5-3)
Last week: No. 10
Senior Ellie Williams struck out nine while allowing a run on three hits in a 3-1 win over Morris Catholic on Friday. The victory may fuel the Wildcats into their first Morris County tournament game, traveling to Montville on Tuesday in the second round. A victory would advance Whippany Park to the county quarterfinals for the first time since 2021.
8. Sparta (5-6)
Last week: No. 7
The Spartans will not head into May with a winning record, but the quality of opponents has been sky high. Following losses to Morris Catholic and Roxbury last week, Sparta bounced back with a 5-1 win over Blair on Saturday. Senior Gabrielle Heim allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out 14 in the victory. Sparta awaits its seed in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex tournament when it is seeded later this week.
7. High Point (10-2)
Last week: No. 6
High Point had a 4-1 week on the diamond, including three wins over West Milford, Wallkill Valley and Newton by a combined total of 44-2. Sophomore Grace Meyers capped off the week with a no-hitter against Newton in an 11-0 win on Saturday, striking out 13 and only allowing two walks.
6. West Morris (11-1)
Last week: No. 8
Nine straight victories by West Morris have seen the Wolfpack become one of the most productive offenses in the NJAC. The last five wins have all come with double-digit runs scored, most recently a 13-2 win over Bayonne on Saturday. Sophomores Jenna Jacot and Zoie Chaplauske, as well as freshman Samantha Guidi, each drove in a pair of runs in the victory.
5. Pope John (8-7)
Last week: No. 5
Sophomore Olivia Cilli drove in four runs and scored three times in a 13-5 win over Mount Olive on Saturday. It put the Lions back in the win column following a loss to North Hunterdon a day earlier. Earlier in the week, the Lions swept the season series from Montville with a 4-2 win on Wednesday. Cilli struck a home run alongside catcher Remmi Joustra.
4. Randolph (9-5)
Last week: No. 4
When Randolph lost consecutive games last season, they responded with a run to the sectional semifinals. The Rams hope for a similar outcome after losses to Morris Knolls and Lenape Valley last week. That response began Saturday with a 10-0 win over Pequannock. Sophomore Cassidy Smith was a triple shy of the cycle, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Smith also stole one of 10 bases swiped by the Rams in the victory.
3. Jefferson (11-1)
Last week: No. 3
The Falcons have won six in a row, including wins over High Point and Morris Hills last week. The trio of Katie Kopera, Kama Skrek and Madison Manco combined for eight hits, seven RBIs and seven runs scored in a 12-2 win over Morris Hills on Friday. Sophomore Kailey Strauch got the win in the circle with a complete game. Jefferson is unbeaten this season when Strauch pitches.
2. Morris Catholic (9-3)
Last week: No. 1
A pair of losses snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Crusaders and bumped them out of the top spot. Despite losses on consecutive days for the first time in nearly two calendar years, Morris Catholic still managed wins last week over Sparta, Hanover Park and Whippany Park. The defending Morris County tournament champions officially start their title defense on Tuesday against Butler.
1. Morris Knolls (14-0)
Last week: No. 2
The Golden Eagles continue to soar over the competition with 14 straight wins since the start of the season. Defeating Columbia, Morristown, Randolph and Roxbury last week, Morris Knolls was also awarded the top seed in the Morris County Tournament, and begins that journey Tuesday with a matchup against Pequannock. Nine different batters for Morris Knolls already have double-digit hits this season.
Also considered (listed alphabetically): Lenape Valley (7-4), Montville (7-7), Roxbury (4-7)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ softball: New team takes over top spot in Morris/Sussex rankings
