Four-time defending Alabama softball state champion Orange Beach is the first team from the state to finish at No. 1 in the MaxPreps high-school softball Top 25 rankings.

Coach Shane Alexander’s Makos finished 46-1 on the year and rolled through the Class 4A state tournament unbeaten to claim the title again. Orange Beach has won state championships ever season since the program started. The Makos won two straight Class 2A crowns in 2021 and ‘22 before jumping to Class 4A and winning the championships in ‘23 and ‘24.

“I just found out about this about 15 minutes ago and haven’t really had time to think about it,” said Alexander, who came to Orange Beach from Hartselle to start the program four years ago. “These girls have worked so hard. We talked all year about ‘don’t look at the rankings. Don’t pay attention to the rankings.’ Now, we’re paying attention. We’re pretty excited about it.

“It’s been on my mind the past few minutes, but I guess now we need to plan another celebration.”

Orange Beach took the crown over No. 2 34-0 Northwest Rankin of Brandon, Miss., thanks to wins over a pair of national top 10 teams – two over No. 4 Pace, Fla., and one over No. 8 Hewitt-Trussville, the Class 7A champ. Northwest Rankin has won two straight Mississippi championships and Pace is the Florida 6A champion.

The young Makos squad – there were only three seniors on the roster this season – had three players on the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State first team and two on the second team. Pitcher KG Favors, a junior committed to the University of South Carolina, and two sophomores – catcher Ava Hodo and infielder Teagan Revette – were named to the first team. Hodo was the lone Orange Beach player to earn Super All-State honors that lists the top 10 performers regardless of class. Sophomore infielder Katie King and junior infielder Daigle Wilson were second-team Class 4A All-State selections.

“The support we get down here is just unbelievable,” Alexander said. “From the mayor and city council to the school board and our superintendent, it’s unbelievable support for what we’re trying to do here.

“It’s gratifying for all this hard work we’ve put in to be honored with this MaxPreps national championship.”

MaxPreps has been naming national champions since 2011.

The site’s Top 25 for 2024:

1. Orange Beach – 46-1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.) – 34-0

3. Pacifica (Calif.) – 27-2

4. Pace (Fla.) – 28-2

5. Summerville (S.C.) – 30-0

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio) – 23-1

7. Weslaco (Texas) – 37-6

8. Hewitt-Trussville – 37-6

9. Xavier College Prep (Ariz.) – 28-4-1

10. Calvary Baptist (La.) – 35-2

11. Ridgeline (Utah) – 30-1

12. Melissa (Texas) – 38-2-1

13. Carterville (Ill.) – 37-1

14. Woodgrove (Va.) – 26-0

15. Silverdale Academy (Tenn.) – 50-3

16. Jackson (Wash.) – 25-2

17. Hudsonville (Mich.) – 42-0

18. Coahoma (Texas) – 32-0

19. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) – 25-0

20. Amador Valley (Calif.) – 19-11

21. Garner (N.C.) – 28-1

22. St. John-Vianney (N.J.) – 26-1

23. Calallen (Texas) – 34-2

24. Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.) – 25-0

25. Sterlington (La.) – 33-1