| Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | BataviasBest.org

Here is my fourth, and final edition of Power Rankings for the 2018 local HS Softball season.

1. CAL-MUM 

The Raiders won the Section V Class C2 Championship this year, their fifth in seven seasons, but will say goodbye to five important seniors during the offseason. Their ability to carry their success into 2019 is up in the air, but history shows that C-M will be back, and perhaps better than ever.

2. BATAVIA +3 

Batavia fell in the Section V Class A2 Finals for the second-straight season, but put forth a solid showing down the stretch under new leadership. The Blue Devils graduate four seniors this offseason, but they should be able to compete once again next year.

3. LE ROY +3

Le Roy won the Section V Class C1 Title this year as a six seed after a roller coaster of a regular season. Much of the Knights core, which consists of eight seniors, will be leaving them this year. It will be interesting to see whether or not LR can keep it rolling.

4. LYNDONVILLE -2

Just two Lyndonville seniors depart due to graduation, so next year should be another good year for the Tigers. They failed to defend their Section V Class D1 Title this year, falling to Fillmore in the semifinals.

5. ALEXANDER -2

The Trojans were forced to deal with a disappointing end to their season, after falling to Geneseo as the top-seed in the Section V Class C2 Quarterfinals. Two seniors will graduate for Alexander during the offseason, leaving the door open for improvement next year.

6. OAKFIELD -2

Oakfield was saddled with a difficult matchup in the Section V Class C2 Quarterfinals, where they fell to eventual champion Cal-Mum. Next year, it is going to be a transitional campaign for the Hornets, as they will lose seven valuable seniors to graduation.

7. NOTRE DAME +2

Notre Dame made it all the way to the Section V Class D2 Semifinals this season after a tough GR League campaign. Three seniors will not return next year due to graduation, which isn’t a huge blow to a team who I believe can compete for a sectional title once again in 2019.

8. PEMBROKE 

The Dragons won a sectional game this year, but fell in the quarterfinals to two seed Addison. Pembroke will likely be an improved team next year, as they will lose just one senior to graduation during the offseason.

9. ATTICA -2

Eight seniors will have to be replaced by the Blue Devils next year, which makes it difficult to forecast what to expect from this team in 2019. They failed to win a sectional game this year.

10. ELBA

Elba struggled mightily this year, but they will likely be better next year as they won’t lose anybody to graduation this offseason.

11. HOLLEY

Holley will lose to graduation much of what propelled them this season.

12. WHEATLAND-CHILI +1

Six seniors leave the Wildcats due to graduation.

13. BYRON-BERGEN -1

Byron-Bergen has a bunch returning next year, but they will lose six seniors to graduation.

14. PAVILION -1

Pavilion will absorb the loss of five seniors next year.