SBLive's 2022 early-season Washington high school softball rankings: Who are the top teams in each classification?

Two-time defending Class 4A champion Jackson is arguably the top program in the state, regardless of level of play

Can anyone dethrone two-time defending Class 4A champion Jackson? Is there another Metro League program that can challenge in Class 3A? Which of the traditional Class 2A powerhouses will emerge?

After discussions with softball coaches throughout the state, SBLive Washington is releasing its early-season Top 10 rankings for each classification heading into the 2022 spring season:

CLASS 4A SOFTBALL RANKINGS

Jackson is the clear Class 4A favorite, but perennial contender Puyallup, of the 4A SPSL, might have something to say / Photo by Todd Milles

1. Jackson

2. Redmond

3. Bothell

4. Puyallup

5. Skyview

6. Kentwood

7. Mount Si

8. Kamiakin

9. Skyline

10. Glacier Peak

First four out: Olympia, Battle Ground, Richland, Eastlake

CLASS 3A SOFTBALL RANKINGS

Class 3A might be the most wide open classification for softball, so why not 3A KingCo favorite Bellevue? / Photo by Todd Milles

1. Walla Walla

2. Bonney Lake

3. Bellevue

4. Snohomish

5. Everett

6. Lake Washington

7. Roosevelt

8. Shorewood

9. Peninsula

10. Prairie

First four out: Mount Spokane, Bishop Blanchet, Yelm, Monroe

CLASS 2A SOFTBALL RANKINGS

In top-heavy Class 2A, W.F. West gets the nod primarily behind the arm of all-state ace pitcher Kamy Dacus :: Photo by Alec Dietz/Centralia Chronicle

1. W.F. West

2. Othello

3. Tumwater

4. Shadle Park

5. Ridgefield

6. Selah

7. Olympic

8. Sedro-Woolley

9. Port Angeles

10. East Valley of Yakima

First four out: Aberdeen, Cedarcrest, Lynden, Columbia River

CLASS 1A SOFTBALL RANKINGS

All that pop, led by Brooke Blocker and Hailey Rath, has Eatonville at the top of Class 1A / Photo by Skip Smith

1. Eatonville

2. College Place

3. Riverside

4. Castle Rock

5. Hoquiam

6. Montesano

7. Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls

8. Royal

9. Nooksack Valley

10. Freeman

First three out: Mount Baker, Cascade of Leavenworth, Deer Park

CLASS 2B SOFTBALL RANKINGS

PWV gets the nod as the early-season No. 1 team in Class 2B, but Adna, Warden right on the Titans' heels / Photo by Todd Milles

1. Pe Ell-Willapa Valley

2. Adna

3. Warden

4. Okanogan

5. Colfax

6. Asotin

7. Rainier

8. Lake Roosevelt

9. Liberty of Spangle

10. Coupeville

First three out: Kittitas-Thorp, Ocosta, Onalaska

CLASS 1B SOFTBALL RANKINGS

In a classification dominated by east-side teams, Naselle might be the best hopeful from western Washington / Photo courtesy of Naselle athletics

1. Colton

2. Almira/Coulee-Hartline

3. Liberty Christian

4. DeSales

5. Inchelium

6. Naselle

7. Sunnyside Christian

8. Wilbur-Creston-Keller

9. Pomeroy

10. Mossyrock

First three out: Curlew, Northport, Quilcene