Ascenders crowned national champion for the second time in three seasons after going 24-1.
For the second time in three years,
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) holds
the title of national champion after finishing No. 1 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings of the 2025 season.
Undefeated
(25-0) and crowned national champions in 2023, the Ascenders came up one win short of doing the same in 2025, finishing 24-1.
Despite not participating in
the postseason, IMG Academy had the fifth-strongest schedule in the
nation based on the MaxPreps computer ratings.
The Ascenders posted seven wins over teams that won a state or association championship, including two wins over
The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.) and one over
American Christian Academy (Tuscaloosa, Ala.),
Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, Miss.),
Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.),
St. John's (Washington, D.C.), and
Inspiration Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).
IMG Academy also defeated a state runner-up in
Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.) and had seven wins over teams
that reached at least the quarterfinals of their state playoffs. That includes
Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) twice,
Clay (Green Cove Springs, Fla.),
Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.),
Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.) twice and
Lakeland Christian (Lakeland, Fla.)
The IMG roster includes seven
players ranked among the top 500 in the nation by Perfect Game headlined by top five prospects in
Sean Gamble and
Dean Moss.
IMG's candidacy for the No. 1 spot was tested by
Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.), a team that
suffered two losses during the regular season before breezing through
the Class 7A playoffs for their fifth straight state championship.
Meanwhile, at No. 3 is a late-blooming
St. John Bosco (Bellflower) squad that made a
strong push in the last month with wins in the Southern Section and
Southern California playoffs.
Final 2025 MaxPreps Top 25
1. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 24-1 |
Last week: No. 1
2. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.)
Record: 31-2 |
Last week: No. 2
Class 7A state champion.
3. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
Record: 30-4 |
Last week: No. 3
Southern California Division 1 champion, Southern Section Division 1 champion.
4. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas)
Record: 35-2 |
Last week: No. 4
Conference 4A Division 1 champion.
5. St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Record: 30-1 |
Last week: No. 5
WCAC champion.
6. Grapevine (Texas)
Record: 36-3 |
Last week: No. 6
Conference 5A Division 2 champion.
7. Lutheran South Academy (Houston, Texas)
Record: 36-3-1 |
Last week: No. 7
TAPPS Division II state champion.
8. The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.)
Record: 30-4 |
Last week: No. 8
Class 3A state champion.
9. Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.)
Record: 37-5 |
Last week: No. 9
Division I Select state champion.
10. Kingwood (Texas)
Record: 39-4 |
Last week: No. 10
Conference 6A Division 2 champion.
11. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Record: 29-4 |
Last week: 11
Northern California Division 1 champion, North Coast Section Division 1 champion.
12. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)
Record: 33-8 |
Last week: No. 12
Class AAAAAA state champion.
13. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Record: 29-6 |
Last week: No. 13
Class 5A state champion.
14. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Record: 29-6-1 |
Last week: No. 14
Class 6A state champion.
15. Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.)
Record: 37-8 |
Last week: No. 15
Division I Non-Select state champion.
16. Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette, La.)
Record: 34-5 |
Last week: No. 16
Division II Select state champion.
17. Corona (Calif.)
Record: 28-3 |
Last week: No. 17
18. Miami Springs (Fla.)
Record: 28-3 |
Last week: 18
Class 3A state champion.
19. Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.)
Record: 33-9 |
Last week: 19
Class AAAA state champion.
20. Basic (Henderson, Nev.)
Record: 24-7 |
Last week: No. 20
Class 5A state champion.
21. Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, Miss.)
Record: 39-5 |
Last week: No. 21
MSAIS Class 5A champion.
22. Tomball (Texas)
Record: 34-7-1 |
Last week: No. 22
23. Puyallup (Wash.)
Record: 28-1 |
Last week: No. 23
24. Venice (Fla.)
Record: 29-5 |
Last week: 24
25. South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.)
Record: 31-4 |
Last week: 25
