We’re getting later into September, inching ever closer to the final day of the regular season in softball, which is now less than 2 ½ weeks away.

Meaning, it’s not so much “red-hot start to the season” for any team or player at this point. It’s a trend you should bank on.

Erie slugger Addie Osborne’s power trip in 2023 hasn’t gone by the wayside. The Rutgers commit hit two more home runs Tuesday, and among the seven states that play softball in the fall, her 12 bombs on the season is more than anyone else.

Holy Family, meanwhile, was ranked first among the nation’s fall teams on MaxPreps last week. It dropped to fourth despite outscoring its three opponents since then, 36-1. Eaton, led by Baylor prospect Sadie Ross in the circle, is 17th.

In this week’s look at the sport, here is a highlight on one standout team and player you can bank on from each classification.

Class 5A

CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index No. 5 Broomfield: Holy Family isn’t the only team from Broomfield that could make a run at a state title this season.

Sophomore Kiley Wheaton’s .763 batting average is second in the nation and best in the classification — and it comes with plenty of power, too.

Of her 29 hits, she has 10 doubles, a triple and four home runs. She also leads 5A with 23 stolen bases.

Ireland Heer is also just a sophomore. Stellar, too. She is third in 5A with 31 RBIs and she’s 11-1 in the circle with a 3.13 ERA.

The Eagles (14-1), winners of a 5A-best 11 straight, have road games against Fossil Ridge Thursday and another against Fort Collins Saturday to close out the week. Their lone loss was against No. 1 Arvada West last month.

They’ll meet up with the nation’s fall home run leader, Osborne, when they travel to No. 3 Erie Monday.

Mac Ferguson, Arvada West: The senior is 9-1 with a 1.47 ERA for the top-ranked team in 5A.

In the circle, Ferguson has allowed just 12 earned runs in 57 frames, striking out 58 while walking just two. She is hitting .490 with 18 RBIs.

Ferguson was first-team 5A last season with a 2.66 ERA and .568 batting average.

Class 4A

No. 2 Riverdale Ridge: Everyone in the classification is currently looking up at Holy Family. Hello up there.

With losses only to Holy Family and Eaton, the Ravens are in that next tier.

They’ve won eight straight and have outscored teams in the Longs Peak League 100-9 through eight games.

Tegan Medina has five home runs and 24 RBIs this season. Neila Lucero had two home runs and five RBIs in a 15-0 win over Mountain View Monday and is tied with Medina for 13 extra-base hits this season.

They’re at defending champ No. 4 Lutheran Thursday.

Cemryn Pickett, Berthoud: Her four no-hitters this season are tops in the nation. Her 12 wins are sixth.

She began the year with a no-no in a game that ended after two innings and was also hitless in her very next game, a five-inning win.

In her latest no-hitter, she faced the minimum in a 14-0 win over Wellington on Sept. 12.

Berthoud, sixth in the rankings, is home against 3A No. 2 Strasburg Thursday.

Class 3A

No. 3 Delta: The Panthers (12-3) have won a class-best 12 straight after opening the season with losses to No. 1 Eaton, No. 2 Strasburg and 10th-ranked Fort Lupton.

Senior Juelz Sandoval leads the team with 31 RBIs. Freshman Jazlyn Naranjo is second with 27 after driving in eight in her last two games and at least one in each of her last eight.

They’re home for a doubleheader against Meeker Friday.

Sophia Sandoval, Thomas Jefferson: She leads the nation in batting average (.800) and on-base percentage (.816). She’s 10th in slugging (1.367).

Tuesday, she went 4 for 4 with two triples and seven RBIs in a 19-5 win over Westminster. In her last three games, she is 8 for 9 at the plate with three triples and 10 runs driven in.

The Spartans (11-1), ranked sixth in 3A, are home against Northfield Thursday.