SOFTBALL RANKINGS: Hillsdale Debuts at No. 1

Today, Patch kicks off its San Mateo County high school softball rankings. The top-10 weekly rankings are drawn from all schools in the county.

Midway through the league seasons, the title contenders are jockeying for position. Hillsdale and San Mateo have established themselves as the front-runners in the Peninsula Athletic League’s Bay and Ocean Divisions, but both have challengers close behind.

As the teams meander through the staggered spring break weeks, the following is a look at the San Mateo County softball landscape.

Records are based on reported games played through Friday, April 15.

SOFTBALL

1. Hillsdale (12-3) Loaded Knights use HMB Tourney as chance to give understudy pitcher Fonseca valuable innings

2. Capuchino (8-3) Enigmatic Mustangs had no business losing to Aragon but beating Carlmont 4-0 shows talent

3. Carlmont (14-4) Poor defense and lack of timely hitting vs. Cap costs Scots share of first place in PAL Bay

4. Notre Dame (10-6) Appears ticketed for 3^rd in WCAL -- well behind Valley & Mitty but better than rest of pack

5. Burlingame (5-11) Underclassmen-heavy Panthers showing plenty of improvement after 1-8 start

6. Terra Nova (7-6) 4th place in Bay a realistic goal; this week’s games vs. Burlingame & Aragon will be revealing

7. Half Moon Bay (4-12) After 0-10 start, Cougars bolster confidence with blowout wins over Mills & Aragon

8. Aragon (6-11) Scoring difficulties a mystery for talented lineup; has dug a big hole with 1-5 Bay record

9. San Mateo (8-2) Formula for PAL Ocean leader? Bearcats have limited opponents to four runs in 4-0 league start

10. Woodside (13-3) Miller & McBride get 3 hits apiece as ‘Cats top rival Sequoia 2-1 to keep pace with San Mateo