MaxPreps Top 25 national high school baseball rankings: Trinty League schools rising

The Lancers moved from No. 7 to No. 5 in the MaxPreps Top 25 national high school baseball rankings this week after blanking Marcus (Texas) twice and edging Top 25 team Valley Christian (San Jose) over the weekend. Christian Rodriguez threw a no-hitter against Marcus in one game while Max Rajcic struck out 12 in another.

No. 1 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) did not play, but is back in action this week with three games against Crespi (Encino)

Another Trinity League team, JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), also made a move this week as the Lions entered the rankings at No. 14 after a late-inning win over previous No. 22 Huntington Beach.

It was a rough week for nine ranked teams that dropped out of this week's rankings. The highest drop came from No. 2 Barbe (Lake Charles, La.), which lost twice at the Sulphur Tournament.

Of the nine teams that enter the rankings this week, four come from Texas, two each from California and Florida and one from Georgia.

Dropped out: No. 2 Barbe (Lake Charles, La.); No. 6 Carroll (Southlake, Texas): No. 9 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.); No. 13 Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.); No. 14 Kingwood (Texas); No. 17 North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.); No. 21 Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.); No. 23 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.); No. 25 Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.).

Game of the Week: JSerra Cathoilc 3, Huntington Beach 2. The Lions got a sac fly to plate the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to hand the Oilers their first loss of the season. Colin Blanchard walked to open the inning, a sacrifice bunt moved him to second, an error got him to third and Gabe D'Arcy's sacrifice fly scored the run.

Player of the Week: Josh Ekness, The Woodlands. Ekness had two home runs in one game, a grand slam in another and also struck out eight in a scoreless tie game against Flower Mound.

Recruit Watch: Zac Veen, Spruce Creek. One of the top outfielders in the nation, Veen is batting .500 (7-for-14) with a double, a triple and two home runs through five games.

Game to Watch: Jesuit vs. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). Jesuit is one of the top teams in the nation and the favorite in Class 5A this year. Meanwhile, Calvary Christian Academy is among the favorites at the Class 3A level after winning Class 4A two years ago.

Tournaments on Tap: Perfect Game Showdown. Tournament features some of the top teams from the South, including Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.), Buford (Ga.), DeSoto Central (Southaven, Miss.), Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), and Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) among the 36 teams in attendance.

Streaks: Silo (Okla.) begins play this week and will try to increase its 40-game win streak. Argyle (Texas) saw its unbeaten streak end at 30 after a loss to Celina. Meanwhile, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) extended its win streak to 29 in a row. Ouachita Christian (Monroe, La.) also saw its win streak end at 28 in a row with a loss to Parkway.

MaxPreps Top 25 national high school baseball rankings
1. (Last week 1) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), 2-0
Results: Did not play
Next: Crespi (Encino), March 3/5/6

2. (3) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 1-0
Results: Def. Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose), 4-3.
Stats: Sophomore Zeke Berry went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Kyle Harrison went four innings with seven strikeouts to get the win.
Next: Elk Grove, March 4; Saint Francis, March 7.

3. (4) Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 3-0
Results: Def. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale), 6-2; Def. Highland (Gilbert), 9-6; Def. Red Mountain (Mesa), 10-3.
Stats: Isaiah Adams, Roch Cholowsky and Prince DeBoskie all had doubles against Desert Mountain; Tyler Wilson and Will Maxey each had two hits against Highland; Cholowsky had two doubles and Luke Thiele and Wilson each had a triple against Red Mountain.
Next: O'Connor (Phoenix), March 5; Liberty (Peoria), March 6; Mountain View (Mesa), March 7; Mesquite (Gilbert), March 7.

4. (5) Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), 4-0
Results: Def. Boca Ciega (Gulfport), 8-1; Def. Bishop Moore (Orlando), 11-7.
Stats: Jonathan Shoop had a double and three RBI and Henry Politz had a double and an RBI against Boca Ciega; Politz and Cole Russo each had two hits against Bishop Moore.
Next: Jefferson (Tampa), March 3; Blake (Tampa), March 5; Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale), March 6.

5. (7) Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 6-0
Results: Def. Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas), 2-0 and 5-0; Def. Valley Christian (San Jose), 8-2.
Stats: Christian Rodriguez threw a seven-inning no-hitter in the 2-0 win, striking out five and walking one. Max Rajcic went six innings for the 5-0 win, striking out 12 and walking none while giving up two hits. Rajcic also had a double and two RBI against Valley Christian.
Next: Mater Dei (Santa Ana), March 10,11,13

6. (16) American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.), 7-0
Results: Def. Brito 3-1; Def. St. Brendan, 10-3; Def. Champagnat Catholic, 6-2.
Stats: Nelson Berkwich struck out seven against Brito. Ryan Bruno struck out 11 against St. Brendan. Bailey Uderitz had two doubles and two RBI against Champagnat Catholic.
Next: St. John Paul II Academy (Boca Raton), March 10

7. (15) Reagan (San Antonio), 5-0-1
Results: Def. Lamar, 11-8; Def. Tompkins, 9-1; Def. Fort Bend Dulles, 14-1; Tied Katy, 2-2; Def. Ridge Point, 15-0; Def. Seven Lakes, 7-3.
Stats: Luke Hoggatt had four RBI against Lamar and added three more against Tompkins. Matt Scannell and Jacob Burcham each had three RBI against Fort Bend Dulles. Ryan Beaird threw a five-inning no-hitter with nine strikeouts against Ridge Point. Hogan Heller had a double and two RBI against Seven Lakes.
Next: East Central, March 3; McNeil, March 5.

8. (11) Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), 0-0
Results: Did not play.
Next: West (Knoxville), March 9; Heritage (Maryville), March 10.

9. (12) Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 0-0
Results: Did not play.
Next: Grace Christian Academy (Knoxville), March 9.

10. (18) Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), 7-1
Results: Def. Lassiter (Marietta), 4-0; Def. Jefferson, 3-0; Def. Starr's Mill (Fayetteville), 4-0; Def. Blessed Trinity (Roswell), 8-0.
Stats: The Panthers have five shutouts already including four last week. Graham Yntema struck out 10 and Pas Ferraras had a home run against Lassiter. Dobbs Bowden homered against Jefferson. Xander Stephens struck out eight against Starr's Mill. Mason Brown and Jordan Lowery combined to no-hit Blessed Trinity.
Next: Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), March 5; Hartselle (Ala.), March 6.

11. (19) Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 0-0
Results: Did not play.
Next: Red Mountain (Mesa), March 3; Perry (Gilbert), March 5; O'Connor (Phoenix), March 6.

12. (20) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 5-0
Results: Def. Dwyer, 12-2; Def. Pembroke Pines Charter, 11-5.
Stats: Gio Ferraro went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a grand slam and eight RBI against Dwyer. Jordan Carrion had a double and three RBI against Pembroke Pines.
Next: Hialeah, March 4; Florida Christian, March 6.

13. (24) Mitchell (New Port Richey, Fla.), 5-0
Results: Def. Sunlake, 10-1 and 9-0.
Stats: Aidan Miller had two hits, a home run and three RBI and Keaton Howard was 3-for-3 with three RBI in the 10-1 win. Kyle Murphy had a home run and Mason Miller had three hits in the 9-0 win.
Next: East Lake (Tarpon Springs), March 6.

14. (NR) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 7-0
Results: Def. La Quinta, 3-0; Def. Palm Desert, 3-2; Def. Huntington Beach, 3-2.
Stats: Gabe D'Arcy and Owen Fuller each had two hits against La Quinta, Colin Blanchard had two RBI against Palm Desert. D'Arcy and Cody Schrier each had a double against Huntington Beach.
Next: Huntington Beach (DH), March 3.

15. (22) Huntington Beach (Calif.), 4-1
Results: Def. Loyola 7-2; Def. Harvard-Westlake 14-6; Lost to JSerra Catholic, 3-2.
Stats: Joe Yost had two hits, a double and four RBI against Loyola. Jake Vogel went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI against Harvard-Westlake.
Next: JSerra Catholic (DH), March 3; Corona Del Mar, March 6.

16. (NR) Spruce Creek (Port Orange, Fla.), 5-0
Results: Def. University 7-3 and 9-3.
Stats: Zac Veen went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI in the first game. Camden Traficante had a home run and two RBI in the second game.
Next: DeLand, March 3; Lake Mary, March 4.

17. (NR) Ayala (Chino Hills, Calif.), 7-0
Results: Def. Lakewood, 7-1; Def. Bishop Amat, 5-1; Def. La Mirada, 6-3.
Stats: Connor Valenzuela was 3-for-3 with an RBI against Lakewood. Troy McCain was 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI against Bishop Amat. Mateo Matthews had a triple and two RBI against LaMirada.
Next: Claremont, March 5; Valencia, March 7.

18. (8) La Mirada (Calif.), 4-2
Results: Def. Santa Margarita, 3-0; Def. Pacifica (Garden Grove), 2-0; Def. Marina (Huntington Beach), 2-1; Lost to Ayala (Chino Hills), 6-3.
Stats: Memo Pacheco went the distance for the shutout against Santa Margarita, striking out five. Jared Jones struck out 12 in five innings of no-hit ball against Pacifica. Jimmy Blumberg had a double among two hits against Marina.
Next: Lakewood (DH), March 4.

19. (NR) Boyd (McKinney, Texas), 5-0
Results: Def. Highland Park, 8-5; Def. Coppell, 2-0; Def. Vista Ridge, 12-0; Def. Frisco Wakeland, 6-1; Def. Newman Smith, 17-0.
Stats: Beau Brewer had two doubles and a triple and Tyler Collins had a home run against Highland Park; Collins was 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI against Vista Ridge. Caden Park had a triple and two RBI against Wakeland. AJ Evanczyk was 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBI against Newman Smith.
Next: Frisco, March 5; Rogers (Ark.), March 5.

20. (NR) Park Vista (Lake Worth, Fla.), 5-0
Results: Def. West Boca Raton, 6-0; Def. Boynton Beach, 20-0; Def. Boca Raton, 1-0.
Stats: Nolan Schanuel was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI against West Boca Raton. Schanuel also had two hits and three RBI against Boynton Beach. CJ Rucker drove in the lone run against Boca Raton.
Next: Benjamin, March 2; Lake Worth, March 3.

21. (NR) Westlake (Austin, Texas), 6-0
Results: Def. Akins 12-0; Def. Elgin 10-2; Def. Trinity Christian Addison, 4-1; Def. Vandegrift, 5-3; Def. Ellison, 11-6; Def. Boerne-Champion, 10-2.
Stats: Leo Lowin hit a home run against Akins. Reece MacRae hit two home runs, Jake Harwood had one home run and Augustus Gray Harrison had a grand slam against Elgin. Ethan Siegel threw a six-inning no-hitter with eight strikeouts against Trinity Christian. Bailey Covert had a double and a home run with three RBI against Ellison.
Next: Austin, March 3; Richland, March 5.

22. (12) DeSoto Central (Southaven, Miss.), 6-1
Results: Def. Providence School (Jacksonville, Fla.), 10-0; Lost to North Paulding (Dallas, Ga.), 8-0; Def. LaGrange (Ga.), 13-0; Def. Russell County (Seale, Ala.), 7-4.
Stats: Kyle Booker was 3-for-4 against Providence. Blaze Jordan and Landon Powell both went 3-for-4 against LaGrange. Booker had a triple against Russell County.
Next: Northside (Columbus, Ga.), March 5; Cullman (Ala.), March 5.

23. (NR) Prosper (Texas), 5-0
Results: Def. Vista Ridge, 11-0; Def. Wakeland, 3-2; Def. Coppell, 5-1; Def. Highland Park, 9-4; Def. Frisco Liberty, 5-3.
Next: Marcus (Flower Mound), March 5; Midway (Waco), March 5.

24. (NR) Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.), 8-1
Results: Def. Allatoona (Acworth), 2-1; Brookwood (Snellville), 8-3; Hillgrove (Powder Springs), 9-4; Greenbrier (Evans), 5-1.
Stats: Keaton Anthony had two hits and two RBI against Greenbrier; Alek Boychuk had a double and two hits against Hillgrove; Boychuck also had two doubles against Brookwood.
Next: Collins Hill, March 2/4/6.

25. (NR) The Woodlands (Texas), 4-0-1
Results: Def. Kingwood Park, 10-0; Def. Cypress Falls, 10-7; Def. Kingwood, 17-10; Tied Flower Mound, 0-0; Def. Atascocita, 10-3.
Stats: Tyler Beard had two hits, a double and three RBI against Kingwood Park. Carter Doucet went 3-for-4 with two doubles against Cypress Falls. Josh Ekness had two home runs and six RBI against Kingwood. Ekness also had a grand slam against Atascocita.
Next: Oak Ridge, March 3; Leander, March 5; Lake Travis, March 6.