SOFTBALL RANKINGS: Cap Finishes Year on Top

Before closing the book on the 2011 high school softball season, it’s time for one last look at how the best San Mateo County teams performed.

Capuchino, just the second county program to win a Central Coast Section championship since 2004, sits atop Patch’s season-ending rankings. Hillsdale, which won its second straight Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division title, and Carlmont finish close behind Cap after semifinal finishes in tougher CCS divisions.

Here are Patch’s final top-10 rankings, as well as a few thoughts on the year that was and the year to come. The rankings are drawn from all schools in the county.

1. Capuchino 23-6 (Last ranking: 3) Ended 13-year reign of private schools in Division III; returns seven starters and has experienced pitcher in Wassmer set to take circle in 2012

2. Hillsdale 24-6 (1) Richwood era ends without a CCS final appearance after sloppy loss to Mitty; big boppers Tyler and Fonseca will be back but pitching change makes PAL Bay three-peat a tall order

3. Carlmont 22-7 (2) Young Scots should benefit from first-hand look at gold standard in San Benito; looks to be early co-favorite in 2012 with Cap but unorthodox pitching quartet leaves uncertainty

4. Notre Dame 17-12-1 (4) First year of new coaching regime brings stability and direction; Tigers welcome back several strong hitters but need a top pitcher to challenge for WCAL and CCS titles

5. Burlingame 12-17 (5) Inexperienced Panthers exceeded expectations with 7-7 finish in tough PAL Bay; only graduates one player; hopes pitcher Christmann and others will continue to improve 

6. Terra Nova 13-14 (6) Like Burlingame, an overachiever with plenty of players coming back; Tigers made surprise CCS appearance and played well in loss; replacing pitcher Murphy a central issue

7. Half Moon Bay 8-17 (7) Struggled in first post-Patridge year; defense was solid and soph Klimenko was serviceable in circle but Cougars had just one batter (Anderson) finish in top 30 in PAL Bay batting

8. Aragon 12-15 (8) Took step back in disappointing year; surprise that Bowman- & Duddy-led lineup didn’t perform better; would benefit greatly from developing a No. 1 pitcher

9. San Mateo 14-5 (9) Held off Sequoia and Woodside to capture first outright PAL Ocean title; welcomes back most difference-makers, so league repeat and first CCS victory are ’12 objectives

10. Sequoia 13-8 (10) Thrilled to edge rival Woodside down stretch but still finished one game behind San Mateo; Kielty & Genardini pitching duo proved effective and Wilkes hit .462 in league