Oakdale, Escalon softball debut at No. 1, but Bertuccio, GV lead list of contenders

Large School

Editor’s Note: Comprised of teams from the Central California Athletic Conference, Central California Conference, Valley Oak League and Western Athletic Conference. Records as of Monday, March 11.

1. Oakdale (3-1): The Mustangs are a perennial VOL and Sac-Joaquin Section title contender and reprise their role with senior Lexie Webb, a Fresno State commit and two-time all-state player, as the centerpiece.

2. Golden Valley (5-1): Cougars ace Marissa Bertuccio is off to a sizzling start, leading the region in earned run average (0.20), wins (five) and strikeouts (67). The strong-armed senior is coming off a 21-win, 267-strikeout season in 2018.

3. East Union (3-1): The Mustangs’ chief rival in the VOL, the Lancers have been one of the most successful programs in the section over the last five years, accumulating 215 wins against just 23 losses. East Union must find a way to replace star Izzie Owen, now a freshman at Oregon State.

4. Merced (5-1): The Bears have won five of their first six games behind the play of freshman pitcher Trisha McCleskey, who tossed a no-hitter against Ceres, and Jewels Perez, who has a team-high seven runs and four extra-base hits. The Bears won their bracket at the Rainbow Kickoff.

5. Enochs (0-1): Moises Martinez routinely has one of the strongest programs in the city of Modesto and the Eagles, boosted by little turnover from a 16-win team last spring, should battle for the top spot in the CCAL.

Small Schools

Editor’s Note: Comprised of teams from the Central California Athletic Alliance, Mother Lode League, Southern League and Trans-Valley League. Records as of Monday, March 11.

1. Escalon (1-3): Don’t be fooled by the record or the loss of do-it-all star Chardae Hoskins (graduation), the Cougars, the two-time defending Division VI champions, lead the best-in-region discussion. Escalon competed in the upper bracket of the Rainbow Kickoff, hosted by Waterford High.

2. Ripon (4-0): The Indians have outscored their first four opponents 57-4, according to results reported to MaxPreps, but a showdown with unbeaten Manteca, a large-school team from the VOL, looms on Wednesday.

3. Waterford (5-1): The Wildcats look to unseat perennial SL champion Mariposa with a lineup loaded with varsity experience. Coach Donnie Donaldson leans on five seniors with four years of varsity experience and a Stonybrook commit Tawni McCarty, a third-year starting pitcher.

4. Hughson (6-1): The traditional small-school section power looks the part in the first month of the season, winning six of their first seven games. Kali Goes and Katie Thornsberry have powered the offense with 11 RBIs apiece during that stretch.

5. Orestimba (4-1): Once the belle of the small-school division, the Warriors look to end a three-year stretch with a sub-.500 record. Orestimba has won four of its first five games, including a strong showing at the Rainbow Kickoff.

On the bubble: Ripon Christian (2-0), Hilmar (4-1).

Follow James Burns on Twitter @jburns, or email him at frontrowpreps@gmail.com.