THE POWER RANKINGS: Dripping Springs powers past 5A squads to top Austin softball rankings

The top five teams in our Power Rankings didn’t change this week, but their order sure did as the Austin area softball teams moved towards the heart of their district schedules. Previously top-ranked Hendrickson dropped tight games to Weiss (4-1) and Georgetown (1-0, 11 innings) to fall from the top spot – but not far, settling in at #4.

Traditional power Dripping Springs knocked Lake Travis from the rankings and defeated Del Valle to climb to the top of the pile with Georgetown adding a win over Elgin to their victory over Hendrickson to move up to #2. Weiss settled for third this week after stubbing their toes vs. Lake Belton in a non-district follow-up to their big win over the Lady Hawks. Leander swept both games last week to remain inside the Top 5.

The six teams from 6th to 11th won all their games last week to hold down their spots. Gateway Prep out of Georgetown surged into the rankings at #12 as the only 4A club while Hays slipped down to #13. Westlake bounced back from a loss to #8 Bowie to knock off arch-rival Lake Travis in the softball version of “Battle of the Lakes” and remained at #14 with Bastrop climbing into the mix at #15.

As with baseball, Spring Break mixes up the schedule this week with most teams playing early in the week before decamping for a breather. Here’s how they stack up so far.

VYPE's Austin Softball Rankings

1. (3) Dripping Springs (6A) 17-6-1 (Def. #13 Lake Travis; def. Del Valle)

2. (5) Georgetown Lady Eagles (5A) 17-7 (Def. Elgin; def. #1 Hendrickson)

3. (2) Weiss Lady Wolves (5A) 17-3-2 (Def. #1 Hendrickson; lost @ Lake Belton)

4. (1) Hendrickson Lady Hawks (5A) 16-4 (Lost @ #2 Weiss; lost vs. #5 Georgetown)

5. (4) Leander Lady Lions (5A) 19-5-1 (Def. Cedar Park; def. Lehman)

6. (6) Liberty Hill Lady Panthers (5A) 14-6 (Def. Lockhart; def. Glenn)

7. (7) East View Lady Patriots (5A) 19-6 (Def. Pflugerville; def. Pflugerville Connally)

8. (8) Bowie Lady Bulldogs (6A) 13-9-1 (Def. #14 Westlake; def. Akins)

9. (9) Vista Ridge Lady Rangers (6A) 13-7 (Def. #15 Cedar Ridge; def. Vandegrift)

10. (10) Hutto Lady Hippos (6A) 16-9-2 (Def. Manor; Def. #15 Cedar Ridge)

11. (11) Round Rock Lady Dragons (6A) 11-5 (Def. McNeil; def. Westwood)

12. (NR) Gateway Prep Lady Gators (4A) 13-4 (Def. Burnet; def. Jarrell)

13. (12) Hays Lady Hawks (5A) 15-6 (Lost @ Rouse; def. Lockhart)

14. (14) Westlake Lady Chaparrals (6A) 10-9 (Lost @ #8 Bowie; def. #13 Lake Travis)

15. (NR) Bastrop Lady Bears (5A) 14-8 (Lost @ Austin LASA; def. Crockett)

On the Radar: Stony Point (6A) 11-9; Glenn Lady Grizzlies (5A) 12-10-1; Lake Travis (6A) 11-11