As the softball season hits a stopping point with spring break this week, let’s take a look at how our nine area teams have done so far.

The teams are listed in the order that they will appear in this week’s first installment of “Area Softball Rankings” on the SWakeSports blog at carynews.com/sports.

Apex (6-0, 3-0 Tri-Eight) No team in the area has been as dominant as the Lady Cougars. In six games, Apex has allowed just four runs, an average of 0.7 per game. It wasn’t until the the fifth game of the year, a 4-3 win over Middle Creek, that the Cougars were finally scored on. Natalie Klemann has been a one-person pitching staff this year, picking up the win in each of her team's games and posting 28 strikeouts.

Fuquay-Varina (6-3, 3-0 Tri-Eight) Thus far, the Lady Bengals’ season has resembled their baseball counterparts. Typically a powerhouse in the area, Fuquay-Varina started out 2-3 but has since rattled off four straight wins, outscoring opponents 32-1 in that span. Bengals pitcher Alex Ryan has been overwhelming batters all year long. Ryan has 105 strikeouts in nine completed games. In a rained-out game against Green Hope, Ryan had 11 K’s in four innings (that game will be resumed on May 5 as part of a double-header).

Holly Springs (4-2, 3-1 Greater Neuse) The Lady Golden Hawks are sitting in second place in the Greater Neuse Conference, their only conference loss coming to a 10-1 Garner team. Perhaps the biggest win this year came on March 11, where Holly Springs avenged an earlier 4-3 loss to arch-rival Fuquay-Varina with a 2-1 win. Hawks pitcher Erica Nunn has accounted for all four of her team’s wins this year and has the second-highest strikeouts in the area with 63 K’s — an average of 10.5 per game.

Middle Creek (3-3, 1-2 Tri-Eight) Pitching and defense have kept the Lady Mustangs competitive thus far, allowing no more than four runs in any game this year. However, the offense hasn’t been able to capitalize, and the Mustangs have lost three one-run games. Darby Pearce has started every game for Middle Creek this year and has 31 strikeouts.

Green Hope (6-3, 3-1 Tri-Eight) Green Hope appears to be a balanced bunch this year after winning three of their last four. The Falcons are led on the mound by Crystal Devine, who has 23 strikeouts. Leadoff hitter Sarah Forgacs, a Campbell signee, is a terror on the basepaths while first baseman Kelley Nichols leads her team in doubles (two), home runs (1) and has an area-high three triples.

Athens Drive (4-2, 1-1 Tri-Eight) Athens Drive started the year 3-0 with lopsided wins over three CAP-7 teams. The Jaguars then suffered a close 6-5 loss to Knightdale, knocked off Cary 7-5 and were blanked by Fuquay 4-0. The Lady Jags have played the fewest conference games out of the Tri-Eight teams (two).

Cary (2-6, 1-3 Tri-Eight) The Lady Imps have dropped their last three contests, giving up 10 or more runs in each. Cary has also given up nine or more runs in six contests this year and are allowing an area-high 10.4 runs per game. While pitching may not be its strong suit, Cary has had its share of offensive success, averaging 7.0 runs per game including a 15-5 outburst at Broughton and a 16-9 win over Sanderson.

Panther Creek (3-4, 0-4 Tri-Eight) Panther Creek’s season took a big hit on March 20 against Fuquay-Varina — literally. The Lady Catamounts were 3-0 and starting conference play when junior Katie Moore was hit on the hand by a pitch in the first inning of play. Moore, who had just pitched a one-hitter the game prior and still leads all area players with six doubles, broke a bone in her hand and is likely done for the year. PC hasn’t won in three tries since the incident.

Cary Academy (2-4 0-2 TISAC) The Lady Chargers recently snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating Wilson Christian 8-6 on April 3. It was a nice offensive showing after being no-hit on March 31.