KALAMAZOO, MI -- There's a new team taking over the throne of Southwest Michigan's latest softball rankings.
And they're firing on all cylinders.
Winners of 18 straight games, Division 2 Paw Paw has not only received state ranking recognition from the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association, but they've also soared to the top spot in the latest Kalamazoo-area softball rankings.
The Red Wolves are certainly on fire, while others like Centreville, Mendon and Gobles are surging as well.
So, without further ado, here's the latest set of Kalamazoo-are baseball power rankings, along with which five teams are on the rise. Check it all out below.
The streak has now reached adulthood. Thanks to its sweep of Plainwell on Monday, Paw Paw's winning streak is now 18 straight games, as the Red Wolves have not only become Southwest Michigan's hottest team -- but they also have already wrapped up a Wolverine Conference title. Paw Paw has scored at least 10 runs in seven of its last nine contests, including 10-plus in the last five as the offense continues to find another level down the stretch of the regular season.
The Red Wolves have mashed 32 homers and 109 extra base hits this season, with Western Michigan commit Cami VanderMeeden leading the way with 14 round-trippers and 47 RBI. Sophomore Elizabeth Vanderburg is next with eight homers and four triples with 39 RBI, while sophomores Bella Clemons and Lauren MacKellar continue to deal in the circle. That duo has combined for 136 strikeouts to just 22 walks over 94-plus innings, as MacKellar holds a team-best .481 ERA.
With plenty of momentum behind them, Paw Paw looks poised for a deep postseason run this season and for seasons to come -- the Red Wolves don't have a single senior on their current roster.
Centreville
Centreville has won eight of its last nine games and remains one of the top teams in the Southwest 10 Conference. The Bulldogs have swept conference opponents Comstock, Bloomingdale, Lawrence and, most recently, Bangor on Monday thanks to a pair of stellar pitching performances from Quinnlynn Lutz and Nikki Lennard. It's been that combination in the circle that has led to Centreville's recent surge, with both holding ERA's at or under 3.06.
Lutz has also been Centreville's best hitter, flexing a .433 average with eight extra base hits and 32 RBI, while Drew Alexander boasts 25 total hits and a team-high 16 stolen bases. Outside of Decatur, Centreville has handled its conference opponents, but a big stretch against Constantine and Schoolcraft will be a good measuring stick for a team that looks to build momentum down the stretch.
Mendon
Mendon is playing like a team destined for another deep postseason run thanks to its current 16-game winning streak. The Hornets have handled Athens, Burr Oak, Schoolcraft, Colon and Climax-Scotts quite easily this month, as junior Cienna Nightingale has come alive as the team's best hitter -- she's hit safely in her last 14 consecutive games.
Juniors Gracie Schultz and Rowan Allen have also made large contributions at the dish, with hitting north of .500. Allen continues to be Mendon's No. 1 pitcher, holding a 10-1 record with a 2.057 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 62.2 innings. Mendon, ranked third in Division 4, plays Union City this week before taking on Colon and Bronson this weekend.
Parchment
After dropping its first four games of the season, Parchment has stormed through conference play thanks to its current 12-game winning streak. Parchment picked up a forfeit sweep over Kalamazoo Hackett on Tuesday and added double-digit victories over Lawton and Colon last week.
The Panthers have received big contributions from Anayah and Kionna Jackson this season, while senior Kat Dreier has been one of the team's best power hitters. Dreier is currently hitting .470 with three homers, six triples and a pair of doubles with 21 RBI in 76 plate appearances. Parchment visits Hopkins on Thursday before playing Martin and Coloma on Saturday.
Gobles
Gobles has won 13 of its last 14 games including Monday's doubleheader sweep of Fennville. The Tigers have exploded at the dish this season, hitting a combined .412 with 23 homers and 249 total hits, as Daisy Jackson leads the way with 10 homers and 51 RBI, while Kylee Killeen has nine home runs and 45 RBI.
Jackson, Killeen and Riley Johnson have posted batting averages of .598 or higher, while Erica Barber (.413), Rosie Bowman (.397) and Addison Jacobs (.375) aren't far off. Gobles has scored at least 10 runs or more in 14 of its last 15 games, including a combined 48 against Fennville. The Tigers play Decatur on Thursday before battling against Kalamazoo Christian and South Haven on Saturday.
On the bubble: Otsego (15-8), Decatur (16-9), Bangor (20-6), Vicksburg (14-18), Climax-Scotts (8-7), Three Rivers, Portage Northern (8-11)
This week: Swept Fennville, Thursday vs. Decatur, Saturday vs. Kalamazoo Christian, Saturday vs. South Haven
This week: Swept Kalamazoo Hackett (1-0, 1-0), Thursday at Hopkins, Saturday vs. Coloma, Martin
This week: Defeated Colon (6-2), defeated Climax-Scotts (15-0), Wednesday at Union City, Saturday vs. Colon, Bronson
Previous ranking: No. 2
This week: Swept Plainwell (15-0, 10-0), Thursday vs. Niles, Saturday vs. Mattawan, Unity Christian, Wayland