For the first time in its 13-year history, Alabama has its first high school softball national champion after the Orange Beach Makos finished as the No. 1 team in MaxPreps’ final rankings.

Orange Beach took over the top spot in May 28’s national rankings just two weeks after its fourth state championship in as many varsity seasons. The Makos retained their place with a 46-1 record as other states finished their state championships. The Northwest Rankin Cougars from Mississippi were right behind them in second with the Pacifica Mariners from California in third.

The fourth-ranked team in the final national rankings was the top-ranked Floridian team, the Pace Patriots. With two wins in as many meetings this year, Orange Beach’s resume continued to build with another victory over the eventual AHSAA Class 7A champion Hewitt-Trussville Huskies who checked in at No. 8 in the final rankings.

The Makos and Huskies were the lone Alabamian teams recognized in MaxPreps’ year-end rankings. Texas had the most teams in the top 25 with four, including Weslaco (No. 7), Melissa (No. 12), Coahoma (No. 18) and Calallen (No. 23).

Orange Beach earned six all-state nods from the Alabama Sports Writers Association, including the Class 4A Player (sophomore Ava Hodo) and Pitcher (junior KG Favors) of the Year.