Monterey Peninsula ranked No. 1 in state for the first time in recent history

Previous Polls

GLENDORA - After a strong 6-0 start, Monterey Peninsula College is the No. 1 team in the State according to the California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association (3CFCA) Poll No. 2. It's the highest ever ranking for the Lobos, who are fresh off a 1-0 pitcher's duel win over NorCal No. 3 and State No. 7 Reedley College (9-1).

The Lobos and the Tigers have two of the hottest pitchers in the State to start the 2019 campaign with MPC freshman Jesse Dupuis (5-0, 26K's) and Reedley's Emily Grimbleby leading the State in wins (6) and strikeouts (43). For the Tigers, it's their highest State ranking in recent memory. Joining the Lobos and Tigers in the NorCal Top 3, is undefeated San Joaquin Delta College (5-0), which checks in at No. 2 in the North and No. 6 in the State.  

With Monterey sitting at No. 1 in the State and Northern California, a slew of Southern California schools are close behind in the state poll. Cypress College (3-0), Palomar College (5-0) and Mt. San Antonio College (4-1), checked in at No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4, respectively. The always-contending Chargers opened up their 2019 season with a win over SoCal No. 9 Citrus College (1-4), and a pair of victories over unranked Antelope Valley College (5-4).

The Comets, meanwhile, have a pair of wins over the previously mentioned Owls, unranked Pasadena City College (3-3), unranked Cerritos College (2-4), and, most recently, a 10-inning 3-2 thriller over State No. 5 Fullerton College (1-1). Of their five wins, three have come in mercy-rule fashion. For the defending State Champion Mounties, their lone loss came in their opener to NorCal No. 4 and State No. 8 College of San Mateo (5-1), while they are also owners of wins over SoCal No. 5 and State No. 10 Santiago Canyon College (5-2) and SoCal No. 6 and State No. 11 El Camino College (3-2).

Outside of the top three teams in the North, the biggest risers in this second poll were San Jose City College (4-2) and Long Beach City College (9-0). The Jaguars of San Jose jumped into the rankings for the first time this season at No. 7 in the North and No. 13 in the State. The undefeated Vikings of Long Beach, who are tied with Reedley for most wins in the State, rose to No. 7 in the South and No. 14 in the State.

(Andrew Wheeler, 3CFCA)