SBLive Iowa Top 25 softball rankings: Fort Dodge ascends to No. 1 spot entering playoffs

The top four teams in the rankings are Class 5A schools.

By John Bohnenkamp  

Fort Dodge won the Class 5A state softball title last season, and the Dodgers look like they’ll be the favorites in a loaded class again this season. 

Their big week pushed them to the top of the statewide rankings. The top four teams are all Class 5A schools.

A look at the Top 25 heading into the first full week of postseason play. Records are through Saturday’s games:

1. Fort Dodge (30-6)

Dodgers went 7-1 last week and are looking like the best team in the state.

2. Muscatine (25-2)

Muskies went 7-1 last week, with the only loss coming to Williamsburg.

3. Waukee Northwest (29-7)

Split with Fort Dodge, then lost three times in the Iowa City West tournament.

4. Johnston (30-4)

A good week for the Dragons included a sweep of Waukee, but a loss to Fort Dodge.

5. Winterset (31-4)

A strong week, with wins over ADM and Norwalk.

6. ADM (29-4)

Only blemish of the week was the loss to Winterset.

7. Central Springs (28-1)

Panthers’ winning streak is at 14 games.

8. Logan-Magnolia (25-0)

No. 3 team in Class 2A keeps its unblemished record.

9. Dallas Center-Grimes (31-6)

Mustangs extend their winning streak to 11 games.

10. Linn-Mar (34-4)

Lions are on a seven-game winning streak.

11. Ankeny Centennial (24-12)

Jaguars went 6-1 last week, with wins over Ankeny, North Polk and ADM.

12. Bettendorf (25-10)

Swept Pleasant Valley and Assumption last week, with the lone loss coming to Waukee Northwest.

13. Mount Vernon (31-4)

Split with Clear Creek-Amana, and swept Benton last week.

14. Lisbon (32-4)

Lions rolled to the Tri-Rivers East title.

15. Davenport Assumption (29-8)

Knights are 9-7 in the MAC, 20-1 in nonconference play.

16. North Linn (29-8)

A five-win week included three shutouts.

17. Twin Cedars (23-3)

Losses to Southeast Warren and Albia hurt last week.

18. Newell-Fonda (32-4)

Mustangs are on an 11-game winning streak.

19. Norwalk (27-7)

Three losses last week, including defeats to Dallas Center-Grimes and Winterset

20. Williamsburg (29-10)

Six wins last week included victories over Muscatine, WDM Valley and Pleasant Valley.

21. Clear Creek-Amana (28-7)

Split doubleheaders last week with Solon and Mount Vernon.

22. Carlisle (25-10)

Went 6-1 last week, with the only loss coming to ADM.

23. North Union (29-3)

Seven consecutive wins, including six shutouts.

24. Martensdale-St. Mary’s (21-3)

Three wins last week, including one over Iowa City West.

25. Southeast Warren (20-4)

Two wins last week to close the regular season.