Knoxville area softball rankings: Why Clinton is back in the top 10

Here’s a look at the top 10 Knoxville area high school softball teams, as ranked by PrepXtra. 

1. Farragut (24-4): The Lady Admirals avenged their April 19 loss to Knoxville Halls with a 3-1 victory on Saturday. Farragut has won its past five games, and sophomore Elsa Morrison leads the team with 55 RBIs. Last week: Ranked No. 2. 

2. Knoxville Halls (25-4-2): The Lady Red Devils went 3-2 last week, and in their loss to Farragut, sophomore Atiana Stamper struck out six. She has 158 strikeouts this season. Last week: Ranked No. 3.

3. Gibbs (30-4): Gibbs had a difficult schedule last week, losing to Farragut and Knoxville Halls. The Lady Eagles’ one win came against Powell in which sophomore Lacey Keck had seven strikeouts in a 5-1 decision. Last week: Ranked No. 1.

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4. Carter (23-6): Carter won two of its three games last week. Freshman Malaney Etherton struck out six and allowed zero hits in 4⅔ innings in an 11-1 win over Cocke County. She also had two RBIs.  Last week: Ranked No. 5. 

5. Alcoa (30-7): Alcoa beat Oliver Springs and Morristown West last week. In their 11-1 win over Morristown West, senior Jaylyn Halliburton had two hits, including a grand slam.Last week: Ranked No. 6. 

6. Heritage (20-4): The Lady Mountaineers defeated Maryville 9-8 in the District 4-4A playoffs. Senior Kylee Thomas went 2-of-3 with three RBIs. Last week: Ranked No. 4.

7. Clinton (21-8):  The Lady Dragons returned to the top 10 after beating Hardin Valley Academy and Oliver Springs last week. Sophomore Lynnlee Adkins had a pair of doubles and four RBIs in Clinton’s 13-2 win over Oliver Springs. Last week: Not ranked. 

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8. Karns (24-8-1): Karns ended its regular season with a 3-1 win over Lakeway Christian Academy. Junior Sarah Bogoski had a two-run home run for the Lady Beavers. Last week: Ranked No. 8. 

9. Lakeway Christian Academy (17-6-1): The Lady Lions compiled 11 hits in their 6-4 win over Boyd Buchanan. Senior Alyssa Williams had two RBIs in the victory.  Last week: Ranked No. 7. 

10. Morristown West (18-10): Sophomore Briony Bunsic went 2-for-3 with a double in Morristown West's 11-1 loss to Alcoa on Thursday. Last week: Ranked No. 9. 

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email tbrown@usatoday.com. Twitter @TJ3rd_.