Softball Top 10: Three unbeaten teams vault up the midseason rankings

O’Connell stays at No. 2 in the rankings, but there's plenty of movement around the Knights. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

In the six weeks since our preseason softball rankings were released, a handful of squads have risen to the top as capable state title contenders.

Damascus has plowed through its competition with relative ease, boasting a 14-0 record including nine shutouts. Isabella DiGiandomenico threw a perfect game in the Hornets’ 15-0 win over Poolesville, tossing 11 strikeouts on 57 pitches April 28.

An upcoming battle with Sherwood (11-1) will test the mettle of both teams and could be a precursor for a postseason matchup.

Seven teams remain in our top 10, while Damascus, Tuscarora and Reservoir have joined the rankings. There’s still plenty of movement to be made in the coming weeks, but these are the teams that have impressed the most.

The Post will update its rankings at the season’s conclusion.

1. Damascus (14-0) Last ranked: Not ranked

The undefeated Hornets took down Blake, 13-0.

2. O’Connell (11-1) LR: 2

After giving up 21 runs in a game when ace Katie Kutz didn’t pitch, the Knights rebounded against McLean, 5-2.

3. Tuscarora (12-0) LR: NR

Tuscarora defeated Loudoun Valley, 2-0.

4. Reservoir (13-0) LR: NR

After edging Howard, 3-2, the Gators pummeled Mt. Hebron, 6-0.

5. Chesapeake (13-1) LR: 2

The Cougars lost their bid for an undefeated season by falling, 3-0, to Arundel.

6. Woodgrove (12-2) LR: 8

Woodgrove narrowly defeated Stone Bridge, 2-0, in a makeup game.

7. Madison (13-2) LR: 4

The Warhawks throttled Centreville, 24-0.

8. Potomac (13-1) LR: 10

A 9-2 victory over Flint Hill was Potomac’s eighth straight win.

9. Sherwood (11-1) LR: 5

The Warriors stomped Magruder, 17-2.

10. Howard (11-3-1) LR: 9

Two of the Lions’ losses came in one-run defeats to No. 4 Reservoir.

On the bubble: Riverside, Battlefield, Spalding, Stone Bridge, Northern, Arundel, Hayfield