FOCUS ON PREP SOFTBALL
AREA RANKINGS
Team (W-L), last week
1. Kenosha Bradford (10-0), 1 2. Westosha Central (6-0), 2
3. Muskego (8-0), 3
4. Menomonee Falls (7-1), 4 5. Cedarburg (8-0), 6
6. Arrowhead (7-3), 8
7. West Bend West (7-2), 5
8. New Berlin Eisenhower (8-0), - 9. Germantown (6-2), 7
10. Wisconsin Lutheran (5-1), -
Others considered: Burlington (7-1), Brookfield Central (5-2), Burlington Catholic Central (6-0), Franklin (6-1), Kenosha Indian Trail (5-2), Kewaskum (10-1), Oak Creek (8-4), Slinger (7-4), Sussex Hamilton (3-2) and Union Grove (6-2).
TEAM OF THE WEEK Muskego
Of the top 10 teams, half are still unbeaten. The Classic 8 Conferenceleading Warriors are one of those teams and are the team of the week after a 4-0 week to move to 8-0. Muskego beat 2023 state qualifier and conference rival Arrowhead, Kettle Moraine, Burlington and Waukesha North in the last week and holds a run differential of plus-86 through eight games with five shutouts. The Warriors have scored at least 10 runs in six of their victories, including three in which they scored at least 18.
COMING UP
All games 4:30 p.m. unless noted Westosha Central at Burlington, Tuesday: This will be the first of two matchups between the Falcons and Demons. Westosha Central is of the area's top programs and is flying to the tune of a 6-0 start, but the Demons aren't off to a bad start themselves. The home side is 7-1. This could be a rugged test for the Falcons.
Wisconsin Lutheran at New Berlin Eisenhower, Tuesday: These two Woodland West rivals played in three of the best matchups of the 2023 season. The last time they met, the Lions squeaked past the Vikings in a sectional final classic. Both sides look a bit different this year, but they're a combined 13-1 so far this season. Kenosha Bradford at Kenosha Indian Trail, Friday: This one was suspended due to rain last week with top-ranked Bradford leading the Hawks before the fifth inning started, 5-0. By rule, if the home team is losing before the fifth inning starts, it's not an official game. They meet again on May 9 at Bradford. Wisconsin Lutheran at Muskego, Friday: It's a non-conference matchup, but a big matchup nonetheless. Among the array of teams that have massive weeks ahead, the Vikings have a huge conference game with New Berlin Eisenhower and then meet the team of the week later this week. Kenosha Bradford at Cedarburg, Saturday, 10 a.m.: Another non-conference matchup features the unbeaten Red Devils taking on the undefeated Bulldogs in a top-five matchup.