Compiled By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
BASEBALL
1. Seminole (21-0) – The Warhawks take over the top spot after a week of tough games that they somehow, still managed to win. Seminole topped Seminole Osceola, 1-0, Dunedin, 7-5, in extra innings and Tarpon Springs East Lake, 10-5. Now ranked No. 1 in Florida in Class 5A, Seminole’s potent offense is averaging just below nine runs a game.
2. Clearwater Central Catholic (20-2) – After four wins at the Dunedin tournament and two more at a south Florida tournament, the Marauders are preparing for their upcoming showdown with Tampa Jesuit. CCC also earned a No. 16 ranking on USA Today’s inaugural Super 25 national poll.
3. Tampa Plant (20-2) – Another USA Today national poll squad (No. 14), the Panthers had won six in a row until being tripped up by Brandon 4-2 in the semifinals of the Tony Saladino tournament. Still are dangerous behind hitters Preston Tucker (.468 batting average and 8 homers) and Jared Womack (.519, 4 HRs).
4. Land O’ Lakes (20-5) – Left-handed ace Trey Dahl pitched the Gators to a huge 2-1 win against Tampa Jesuit April 15. Dahl struck out 13, including three-straight in the seventh inning. LOL has won five-straight and has two games left before the Class 5A, District 7 tournament.
5. Tampa Alonso (19-3) – Ravens’ pitcher Alex Panteliodis finally saw his 19-game winning streak come to an end. Alonso fell 6-5 to Brandon in Saladino tournament. Still, in the upcoming and ultra-competitive Class 6A-7 district tournament, Alonso is the top seed and favorite.
Honorable Mention – Tampa Jesuit (19-5), Dade City Pasco (19-5), Dunedin (17-5), Brandon (16-6), Tampa Catholic (15-5).
SOFTBALL
1. Tampa Chamberlain (19-4) – The Chiefs finished third at the Bill Longshore Memorial tournament in Naples during Spring Break. Chamberlain won two of three at the event, falling only to a powerful Dunnellon team. Up Next: The Class 5A, District 10 tournament and an almost guaranteed title showdown with No. 2 Plant.
2. Tampa Plant (19-3) – The Panthers are coming off two victories at the Kissimmee Klassic tournament. Plant’s potent offense has rung up 218 runs during the regular season, posting an average 9 to 2 margin of victory. Plant, which split its regular season games against Chamberlain, is hosting the 5A-10 tournament.
3. Dade City Pasco (21-2) – The top seed in the Class 4A, District 8 tournament, the Pirates have won 10 straight contests. Colena Lazar and Lucy Schneider have wielded the heavy bats, combing for 17 extra base hits, seven of which have been home runs. Up two spots on the MaxPreps poll.
4. Clearwater Countryside (20-4) – The Cougars fell out of the No. 2 spot after a 7-1 loss to Palm Harbor University. Standout freshman pitcher Alyssa Bache (10-1) is nursing a calf injury but is expected back for the Class 6A, District 7 tournament, in which Countryside remains the favorite.
5. Plant City Durant (20-5) – Coach Matt Carter’s team took all regular season to crack into the top 5 but do so with a bang. The Cougars have posted 10 straight wins and have already clinched a spot in the Class 6A regional playoffs. Pitcher Sara DeMuth and shortstop Kelsey Horton provided district tournament heroics with a one-hitter and a game-winning home run, respectively.
Honorable Mention – Land O’ Lakes (16-2), Tampa Gaither (19-6), Pinellas Park (16-5), St. Petersburg Catholic (17-3), Lithia Newsome (5-7).