An outstanding effort by their ace pitcher and a pair of losses for the top two teams in Texas was enough to vault the Owasso Rams to the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Baseball Rankings this week.
Dylan Bundy struck out 17 in a 7-0 win over Enid to lift the Rams to the regional tournament. Meanwhile both No. 1 Fort Bend Clements and No. 2 Sharyland lost in their bi-district playoff openers in the Texas 5A state playoffs.
As a result, Owasso moves into the No. 1 spot. Fort Bend Clements managed to rebound and win its series to advance in the 5A playoffs. As a result, the Rangers dropped only seven spots to No. 8. Sharyland, which played a one-game bi-district matchup with United (Laredo, Texas), lost by one run and was eliminated from the postseason. The Rattlers dropped to No. 31 overall.
There are 50 teams in the rankings this week, once again.
MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 NATIONAL BASEBALL RANKINGS
1. (last week 3) Owasso (Okla.), 34-1
The Rams won three times to capture the regional tournament. After beating Bartlesville 10-0 and Union (Tulsa) 9-3, the Rams shut out Enid 7-0 for the championship.
Phillip Wilson had three RBIs in the Union win while
Joe Lindsey had a home run.
Dylan Bundy picked up his ninth win of the season (9-0) with a three-hitter against Enid. He struck out 17 and walked only one.
Justin Steelmon added a home run.
2. (5) Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), 22-2
The Falcons opened the defense of their Class 6A championship with a pair of wins. The Falcons routed South Plantation 17-0 on
Gaby Aurrecoechea's grand slam. Flanagan reached the regional finals with a 12-2 win over West Broward.
Ricky Santiago had two home runs while
Danny Zardon and
Michael Melendez each had one in the win.
3. (6) Madison Central (Miss.), 30-1
The Jaguars advanced to the semifinals of the Class 6A state tournament with a sweep of South Panola by identical 11-1 scores.
Zach Irwin hit a home run in Friday's win for Madison Central while
Stanford Parks and
Spencer Turnbull each homered in the second game. The Jaguars face the winner of the Tupelo-Northwest Rankin matchup.
4. (7) Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.), 22-2
The Chargers continue to roll through Sunset League play, knocking off Los Alamitos 7-5 and 1-0 last week.
Henry Owens got the win in the 7-5 victory to improve to 10-0 on the season, but he needed a seventh-inning home run by
Christian Lopes, his second of the game, to get the win.
5. (8) Broken Arrow (Okla.), 32-2
The Tigers easily advanced through the regional tournament, blanking Putnam City West 14-0 and Edmond Memorial 5-0 before topping Claremore 9-3 in the championship game.
Tyler Kruse had a perfect game with 10 strikeouts against Putnam City West.
Mason Hope struck out 11 in the win over Claremore while
Archie Bradley struck out 16 in the win over Edmond Memorial.
6. (9) Wayne County (Jesup, Ga.), 26-0
The Yellow Jackets opened the first round of the Georgia AAAA playoffs with a sweep of Lovejoy, winning 5-1 and 8-2.
7. (10) South County (Lorton, Va.), 18-0
The Stallions defeated one of the top teams in North Virginia in T.C. Williams (Alexandria), 13-6, and then won a pair of one-run games over Kettle Run (Nokesville), 10-9, and West Springfield (Springfield) 15-14.
Beau Dahlman,
Fort Bend Clements
Photo by John Godwin
The Rangers lost their first game in almost two months with a 6-4 loss to Alvin in the first Region III Class 5A bi-district game, but they came back to win the next two games to advance.
Mike Fredeboelling was 4-for-4 with a double in a 9-7 victory while
G.R. Hinsley and
Cline Andrews both homered in a 14-3 win in the second game.
9. (12) Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), 23-2
The Bears dropped Clovis East 11-2 and 12-4 in Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference play last week.
Seth Moranda picked up the win in the 12-4 victory while
Shota Runge was 4-for-5 with a double and
Kody Batesole was 3-for-4 with four RBIs.
10. (13) Grand Street Campus (Brooklyn, N.Y.), 11-0
The Wolves won three times last week, topping Brooklyn Technical 13-1 and 19-0 and also beating Franklin D. Roosevelt 11-3.
Williams Jerez had a home run and a triple in the win over FDR.
11. (14) Maize (Kan.), 17-0
The Knights stayed undefeated with a sweep of Derby, 18-3 and 5-2, and wins over Heights (Wichita) 14-4 and Dodge City, 10-3.
Conner Knight had a home run against Dodge City while
Gage Byers had a pair of doubles in the victory over Heights.
Feature story about the Maize baseball team.
12. (19) Spanish Fork (Utah), 20-2
The Dons are now ranked No. 1 in Utah after picking up two wins over Uintah last week. In an 8-0 win,
Kayden Porter struck out 11 while
James Lengal was 4-for-4 at the plate. In a 12-1 win,
Hayden Nelson pitched a one hitter and Porter and
Jarret Jarvis both homered. Also beat Mountain Crest 9-2.
13. (20) Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 26-3
The Mavericks advanced through the first two rounds of the playoffs with a 12-2 win over Belen Jesuit and a 12-1 victory over Key West. Against Belen Jesuit,
Garrett Kennedy hit a three-run homer to end the game.
Alex Fernandez belted a home run in the victory over Key West.
14. (21) Pace (Fla.), 23-4
The Patriots began the defense of their 5A state championship with an 11-1 win over Fort Walton Beach. Pace then edged Crestview 6-3 in the regional semifinals.
Trent Higgenbothem had a home run and the game-winning RBI against Crestview.
15. (22) Catholic (Baton Rouge, La.), 30-3
The Bears opened the postseason with a 12-2 win over Central Larouche in the Class 5A state playoffs.
Alex Massey (8-0) got the win, striking out six. Catholic scored nine runs in the fifth inning to break the game open.
16. (23) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 28-4
The Gaels continue to put huge numbers on the board, beating Clark 25-0 last week and Bonanza 8-5.
Joey Gallo belted his 21st home run of the season against Clark while
Erik Van Meetren also hit one out. Van Meetren also homered against Bonanza.
17. (16) Sierra Vista (Las Vegas), 31-2
The Mountain Lions lost their second straight game with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Green Valley (Henderson) last week. Sierra Vista bounced back to beat Durango 12-2 and Clark 7-3.
18. (24) A&M Consolidated (College Station, Texas), 27-4
The Tigers opened the postseason with a sweep of Desoto, winning 7-0 and 3-1.
Riley Ferrell got the win in the 3-1 victory and also went 2-for-3 at the plate.
19. (17) Tupelo (Miss.), 27-3
The Golden Wave got past Grenada early last week to advance to a third-round matchup with Northwest Rankin in the Mississippi Class 6A state playoffs. Tupelo won the opener 3-2 on a home run by
Connor Carothers. However Northwest Rankin won the second game easily 10-0 to set up Monday's deciding contest. The winner faces Madison Central.
20. (26) Lakeland (Fla.), 25-4
Won its first two game of the Florida 5A playoffs, defeating Lake Wales 10-0 and Winter Haven 8-2.
21. (27) Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.), 16-1
Dropped Cherry Hill East 15-0, Woodstown 14-0, Buena 13-2, Deptford 4-1 and 11-0, and Haddonfield 12-0, and St. Augustine Prep (Richland) 13-3.
22. (28) Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 18-0
The Ironmen won four times last week, beating Ridgewood 13-1, Paramus Catholic 10-2, Pope John 11-8 and Old Tappan 15-1.
23. (30) Brenham (Texas), 28-4
Played only once last week, defeating Huntsville 7-2 in the first round of bi-district play.
24. (31) Orangewood Christian (Maitland, Fla.), 31-1
Won two games last week in the Florida 2A state playoffs, defeating Trinity Prep (Winter Park) 8-7 and Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) 16-3.
Feature story on Orangewood Christian player Dante Bichette Jr.25. (NR) Washington (New York City), 30-1
The Trojans are ranked No. 2 in New York City by the Post.
The Next 25
26. (32) Gulliver Prep (Miami), 28-5
Reached the Florida Class 3A regional finals with a 2-1 win over LaSalle (Miami) and a 3-2 win over Monsignor Pace (Miami).
27. (33) Palm Desert (Calif.), 22-4
Won three times last week, beating Coachella Valley 10-0 and 23-0 and Arlington 17-0.
Ryan Garvey, son of former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey, had two home runs in the 23-0 win, as did
Scotty Burcham.
28. (34) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 20-5
Took two games from Servite (Anaheim) last week in Trinity League play, winning 3-1 and 7-0.
29. (35) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 21-4
Took a pair from Orange Lutheran (Orange) 3-0 and 8-2.
30. (25) Mesquite (Gilbert, Ariz.), 28-4
The Wildcats fell to Brophy College Prep 5-3 early in the week and then knocked off Highland 4-3 and North Canyon 8-3. Mesquite meets Brophy College Prep again this week.
31. (2) Sharyland (Mission, Texas), 28-2
The Rattlers played a single elimination game against Laredo United and were stunned in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs, losing 3-2.
32. (4) Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), 15-2
The Warriors lost for the first time this year, going 2-2 at the Ohio Jesuit Tournament over the weekend. The Warriors fell to Toledo St. John's Jesuit 17-11 and St. Xavier 13-3. Walsh Jesuit topped St. Ignatius 6-3 and 4-3.
33. (29) Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 31-4
Lost to Queen Creek 6-3 in its final regular season game last week. Opened playoffs with 6-0 win over Cactus Shadows.
34. (37) Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), 29-6
The Admirals won the district tournament, defeating West (Knoxville) 9-7 and Knoxville Catholic 12-6.
35. (38) Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), 22-4
Won its only game last week, defeating St. Monica 16-0.
36. (41) Providence (Charlotte, N.C.), 22-2
Topped Rocky River 12-0 and Butler 5-1 last week.
37. (43) South Dade (Homestead, Fla.), 23-5
Won twice in the Florida 6A state playoffs, beating Sunset (Miami) 8-2 and Ferguson (Miami) 9-0.
38. (44) Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.), 34-5
Won three times in regional play last week, beating Grant (Oklahoma City) 17-1, Edmond North (Edmond) 5-1 and Mustang 11-1.
39. (46) Lafayette (La.), 24-4
Opened 5A state playoffs with 10-1 win over Chalmette.
40. (48) Sherwood (Sandy Spring, Md.), 16-0
Defeated Blake (Silver Spring) 2-1 in its only game last week.
41. (49) Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.), 22-6
Topped Walton 10-3 and 7-2 to open the Georgia AAAAA state playoffs.
42. (50) Pensacola Catholic (Fla.), 25-4
Advanced to regional finals with a 10-3 win over Madison County and a 6-5 win over Marianna.
43. (NR) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 22-4-1
Defeated St. Francis last week and is in first place in the West Catholic Athletic League.
44. (NR) Indianapolis Cathedral, 16-1
Moved up to No. 1 in the state of Indiana.
45. (NR) Providence Catholic (New Lenox, Ill.), 21-3
Regained the No. 1 ranking in Illinois with a 20-3 win over Plainfield North.
46. (NR) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 26-5
Advanced to the state championship game in Arizona 5A Division I with a 2-1 win over Gilbert.
47. (NR) St. Louis University (Mo.),18-0
Moved up to No. 1 in the area rankings by the St. Louis Dispatch.
48. (NR) Southridge (Beaverton, Ore.), 21-1
Ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A state rankings in Oregon.
49. (NR) Fleming Island (Orange Park, Fla.), 25-4
Will take on Pace this week in the Florida 5A state semifinals.
50. (NR) Carroll (Corpus Christi, Texas), 27-4
Since losing four games in the first month of the season, Carroll has been very impressive down the stretch, winning 16 in a row.
