2015 FAB 50 WEEK 9 FLOSOFTBALL.COM NATIONAL RANKINGS By Mark Tennis – Editor, CalHiSports.com Two of the best ways to rocket upwards in the FAB 50 national rankings – or in any ranking system based on results – are to knock off one of the teams near the t
May 28, 2015 by Brentt Eads
2015 FAB 50 WEEK 9 FLOSOFTBALL.COM NATIONAL RANKINGS
By Mark Tennis – Editor, CalHiSports.com
Two of the best ways to rocket upwards in the FAB 50 national rankings – or in any ranking system based on results – are to knock off one of the teams near the top and to avenge losses.
Katie Taylor (pictured) and her North Davidson teammates have advanced to the North Carolina State Championship Series starting June 5. Photo by David Scearce /Hickory Daily Record.
The North Davidson of Lexington, N.C., softball team did both of things last week and that’s why the Knights jumped all the way to No. 16 in this week’s FAB 50.
The most shocking result of the week came when North Davidson scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to turn a 5-4 deficit into a 10-5 win over two-time defending champion Alexander Central in the Class 4A state quarterfinals.
Alexander Central came into the game at 29-0 and was No. 2 in the FAB 50. The Cougars also had their 95-game win streak snapped.
Tristen Fulton’s two-run single gave North Davidson a 6-5 lead in that game. Teammate Hailey Cole also had a hot bat with three hits and three RBI.
Just getting the chance to face Alexander Central, however, was not easy for the Knights. They had to get past FAB 50 No. 50 West Forsythe of Clemmons in their preceding playoff game, which was a team they had lost to twice earlier in the season. North Davidson won that game, 1-0, behind the pitching of Blakely Thrower and an RBI single by Lydia Barkley.
Alexander Central’s loss also enabled unbeaten Pioneer of San Jose, Calif., to climb up to No. 2 in the FAB 50 this week. The Mustangs will end their season Saturday in the CIF Central Coast Section Division II championship and with a win would apply some pressure on season-long FAB 50 No. 1 Mission Viejo.
The Diablos, who have been No. 1 in the FAB 50 all season after finishing No. 1 last year, won their first CIF Southern Section Division II playoff game 10-0 over Oxnard. Their playoff run, if all goes according to plan, would end in the CIFSS Division II final that would be played on either June 5 or June 6.
(Previous ranking listed in parentheses; through reported results of Tuesday, May 26)
* Indicates season complete
** Wins/losses by forfeit not included
Tara Trainer has led Lebanon (Ohio) to a No. 3 ranking. Photo by Scott Heckel.(1) Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, Calif.) 28-0
(3) Pioneer (San Jose, Calif.) 28-0
(6) Lebanon (Lebanon, Ohio) 30-0
(7) Forest (Ocala, Fla.) 30-2*
(5) Yucaipa (Yucaipa, Calif.) 28-3
(9) The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) 28-3**
(11) Bishop Carroll (Wichita, Kan.) 22-0
(20) Keller (Keller, Texas) 26-4
(14) Tate (Cantonment, Fla.) 27-4*
(18) San Benito (San Benito, Texas) 29-2
(15) Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.) 22-5-1
(17) Mt. St. Dominic (Caldwell, N.J.) 27-1
(12) Aledo (Aledo, Texas) 27-1
(31) Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.) 21-3
(38) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 25-3
(NR) North Davidson (Lexington, N.C.) 23-5
(2) Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.) 29-1*
(13) Downers Grove South (Downers Grove, Ill.) 32-1
(19) Sherwood (Sandy Springs, Md.) 20-0
(4) Coronado (Lubbock, Texas) 27-2-1*
(22) Baker County (Glen St. Mary, Fla.) 24-4*
(23) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) 25-2-1*
(24) Grand Terrace (Grand Terrace, Calif.) 24-3
(30) St. John Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.) 24-0
(27) La Grange (La Grange, Texas) 34-0
(28) Coral Springs Charter (Coral Springs, Fla.) 29-0-1*
(26) St. Mary’s Ryken (Leonardtown, Md.) 23-1*
(29) Seaman (Topeka, Kan.) 23-0
(32) Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.) 24-2*
(33) St. Amant (St. Amant, La.) 27-1*
Curry (Ala.) finished its season winning the 4A state title.(35) Curry (Jasper, Ala.) 44-5*
