The News-Gazette's softball Top 10: Panthers nearing perfect regular season
May 15—Playoff softball starts next week, which means it's time to take one final look at preps coordinator Zach Piatt's area power rankings before revisiting things when the postseason dust settles: ➜ Record: 33-0 ➜ Previous ranking: No. 1 ➜ Quick hit: The only things standing between the Panthers and an undefeated regular season are a road test against Westville and a solid showing at the Heart of Illinois Conference Showcase. No easy task, but LeRoy is one of the state favorites in Class 1A for a reason.
➜ Record: 27-4-1 ➜ Previous ranking: No. 2 ➜ Quick hit: A 9-3 win against Peoria Notre Dame clinched the Maroons' first-ever Big 12 Conference title. Surrounding that historic victory were one-run wins against Effingham, Oakwood/Schlarman and Westville.
This team is proving it knows how to win the close games. ➜ Record: 25-7 ➜ Previous ranking: No. 3 ➜ Quick hit: Danika Eisenmenger pitched a five-inning no-hitter to beat Chillicothe IVC 10-0 and clinch an Illini Prairie Conference title for the Rockets.
They're currently on an 18-game winning streak and are looking like they could make some noise in the Class 2A bracket. ➜ Record: 19-5 ➜ Previous ranking: No. 4 ➜ Quick hit: The Tigers were one big swing away from defeating Champaign Central but ultimately lost 1-0.
Westville is still very much capable of making a run, even as the Tigers try to get back on track after Thursday's loss at Oakwood/Schlarman. ➜ Record: 20-12-1 ➜ Previous ranking: No. 5 ➜ Quick hit: Timera Blackburn-Kelley has become one of the area's best two-way players.