Forest Lake infielder Francie Gregor (12) and the Rangers move into the No. 1 position in the Minnesota Top2 5 statewide softball ranking. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It was just a matter of time before Forest Lake moved into the top spot in the Minnesota Top 25. The Rangers bounced back from their only loss of the season to Suburban East Conference rival Stillwater with a dominant four-game stretch of conference play, outscoring opponents 33-1 during the stretch.

Proving that it’s hard to go undefeated — along with the precarious nature of rankings — Mankato East lost for the first time and fell from the No. 1 position. The Cougars were defeated by crosstown rival Mankato West 5-2, as West sophomore pitcher Evelyn Erickson allowed six hits to best East’s star hurler Kylinn Stangl. The Scarlets rode the residual momentum from center fielder Jillian Olsen’s diving catch in the top of the fourth inning to rally from a 2-0 deficit for the victory

The Minnesota Top 25

Records through Wednesday

1. Forest Lake (12-1). Last week: No. 2

For the complete list of teams in this week's high school softball Minnesota Top 25, click here to read this story on startribune.com.