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FVL, Kimberly teams hold on to top spots in final rankings

Here is the fifth edition of the Post-Crescent high school rankings of top softball, baseball and girls soccer teams in the Appleton area. Records are through May 30.

Softball

1, Fox Valley Lutheran: The Foxes (22-3) advanced to the sectional semifinals in Division 2 and will play Luxemburg-Casco at FVL on June 2 at 4:30 p.m. FVL routed its first two regional opponents by a combined score of 39-0.

2, Hortonville: The Polar Bears (23-3) reached the D1 sectional semifinals where they will face Stevens Point in Stevens Point at 4:30 p.m. on June 2. Hortonville defeated Green Bay West/East and D.C. Everest in the regionals to advance.

3, Kimberly: The Papermakers are 20-7 and host Neenah in a D1 sectional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on June 2. Kimberly defeated Fond du Lac 6-2 in the regional final to advance.

MORE: Here are 37 high school softball players to watch in the Appleton area

4, Neenah: The third-seeded Rockets (17-8) beat Kaukauna 9-3 in the D1 regional final to advance to the sectional semifinal at Kimberly.

5, Appleton North: Top-seeded North (17-7) faces Waupun in a D1 sectional semifinal June 2. The Lightning beat Menasha 10-0 in five innings in the regional final to advance.

Also: Seymour, Brillion.

Baseball

1, Kimberly: The Papermakers are 21-3 and finished 17-1 in the Fox Valley Association. They're a No. 2 seed in the playoffs and host a Division 1 regional final June 4 against either Pulaski or Ashwaubenon.

2, Brillion: The Lions are 21-4 and a No. 2 seed in the D3 Crivitz Sectional. They host Algoma in a regional semifinal June 2.

MORE: Appleton area loaded with talented high school baseball players

3, Hortonville: The Polar Bears are 18-8 and a No. 4 seed in the postseason and will host Green Bay East/West on June 2 in a D1 regional semifinal.

4, Seymour: The Thunder is 18-7 and the top seed in the D2 Chilton Sectional. Seymour faces Fox Valley Lutheran in a regional semifinal June 2.

5, Kaukauna: The Ghosts finish 18-7 and 14-4 in the FVA. They are a No. 3 seed and host a D1 regional final June 4 at 4:30 p.m. against Appleton West or De Pere.

Also: Xavier, St. Mary Catholic, Neenah, Winneconne.

Girls soccer

1, Kimberly: The Papermakers are 18-1 and have won the Fox Valley Association title. They are a No. 1 seed and host Hortonville in a Division 1 regional semifinal June 2.

MORE: Here are 23 girls soccer players to watch this season

2, Appleton North: The Lightning is 17-2 and coming off a 2-1 nonconference victory over Xavier on May 29. North is a No. 2 seed and hosts Appleton East in a D1 regional semifinal June 2.

3, Xavier: Xavier (17-1) suffered its first loss of the season in a 2-1 loss to Appleton North. The Hawks are a top seed in D4 and play in a regional semifinal June 4 against Valders or Kewaunee.

4, Winneconne: The Wolves are 17-2 and a No. 3 seed in Division 3. They host Marinette in a regional semifinal June 4.

5, Freedom: The Irish are a No. 4 seed in their D3 sectional and have a 12-3 record. They host Wautoma/Wild Rose in a regional semifinal June 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Also: Seymour, Neenah.