Coaches, captains and umpires gather for a meeting before the North Schuylkill at Blue Mountain game March 26, 2026, at Patton Field. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)

It’s not even April yet, and already the top teams in the Schuylkill League are starting to emerge.

After a 3-0 week that included a romp over Class 6A unbeaten Whitehall, Pine Grove starts the season where it ended last year: at No. 1 in the initial T102 Sports Now Super 7 Softball Poll of the spring. The Cardinals are 4-0 overall and the returning PIAA Class 3A state champion.

Blue Mountain, boosted by big wins over Emmaus and North Schuylkill, comes in at No. 2, followed by the Spartans at No. 3.

Williams Valley started the season with a pair of romps; the Vikings are a solid fourth.

Pottsville, one inning away from being unbeaten, is on the rise under first-year head coach Jeff Bowers at No. 5.

Minersville knocked off Tri-Valley for the first time in a long time to take the No. 6 spot, while the Bulldogs come in at No. 7 by rebounding to defeat Schuylkill Haven.

The T102 Sports Now Super 7 Softball Poll will be published each Monday during the regular season.

T102 Sports Now Super 7 Softball Poll

(Through games played Sunday, March 29)

1. Pine Grove (4-0)

Last poll: NA

Last week’s results: W Lourdes (15-0, 3 inn.), W Tamaqua (12-1, 6 inn.), W Whitehall (14-0, 7 inn.)

This week’s schedule: Pottsville (Tuesday), North Schuylkill (Thursday), Cardinal Classic (Saturday: Upper Perkiomen vs. Pine Grove, Greater Nanticoke vs. Williams Valley, consolation, championship)

Around the horn: CF Callie Leffler’s stat line this season: .818 (9-for-11), 10 runs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, 8 stolen bases — in four games.

2. Blue Mountain (5-0)

Last poll: NA

Last week’s results: W Panther Valley (20-0, 4 inn.), W North Schuylkill (4-1)

This week’s schedule: at Mahanoy Area (Tuesday), at Tamaqua (Thursday)

Around the horn: Pitching and defense been key to success. Eagles have allowed 4 runs in five games.

3. North Schuylkill (4-1)

Last poll: NA

Last week’s results: W Shamokin (12-1, 5 inn.), W Mahanoy Area (16-1, 4 inn.), L Blue Mountain (4-1)

This week’s schedule: Panther Valley (Tuesday), at Pine Grove (Thursday)

Around the horn: Opened with quality wins over Kutztown and Minersville. Huge one at 6 p.m. Thursday at Pine Grove (WPPA live broadcast).

4. Williams Valley (2-0)

Last poll: NA

Last week’s results: W Marian (18-6, 7 inn.), W Shenandoah Valley (18-0, 3 inn.)

This week’s schedule: Weatherly (Tuesday), Schuylkill Haven (Thursday), at Cardinal Classic (Saturday: Upper Perkiomen vs. Pine Grove, Greater Nanticoke vs. Williams Valley, consolation, championship)

Around the horn: Still getting adjusted after significant graduation losses. Strong senior leaders will look to lift Vikings to their usual standard.

5. Pottsville (3-1)

Last poll: NA

Last week’s results: W Tamaqua (7-1), W Lourdes (14-0, 5 inn.)

This week’s schedule: at Pine Grove (Tuesday), Panther Valley (Thursday), at Wyomissing (Saturday)

Around the horn: Tide have swung the bats much better this season. They’ve had double-digit hits in all four games and average 14.8 hits per game. A lot of kids are contributing.

6. Minersville (3-2)

Last poll: NA

Last week’s results: W Tri-Valley (9-2), W Nativity (12-3), W Selinsgrove (17-5, 5 inn.)

This week’s schedule: at Schuylkill Haven (Tuesday), at Weatherly (Thursday)

Around the horn: Impressive bounce back after starting season with losses to Pine Grove and North Schuylkill. Tough schedule will prepare Miners for big games ahead.

7. Tri-Valley (1-1)

Last poll: NA

Last week’s results: L Minersville (9-2), W Schuylkill Haven (7-3)

This week’s schedule: Nativity (Tuesday), at Shenandoah Valley (Thursday)

Around the horn: Tried twice to play non-league game at Pottsville (suspended after 2 innings by rain, postponed by cold Saturday). Needs more practice and game action outside on field.

—- Compiled by Bob Lipsky