The Rockwall-Heath Hawks have made a steady rise up the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Baseball Rankings presented by Milk, and this week they take over the No. 1 spot in the country.
With No. 1 Walsh Jesuit losing on a walkoff home run to St. Edward last week, Rockwall-Heath moves into the top spot thanks to a spotless 34-0 record and a sweep in its first two games of the Texas 4A state playoffs.
Sticking close behind Rockwall-Heath is Sumrall, a team that spent a good portion of the season at No. 1 and finished the 2009 season as the top team. The Bobcats have rebounded from their lone loss last week to move up nine spots in the past month after dropping all the way to No. 11. A loss by the Hawks could catapult Sumrall back into the No. 1 ranking for the second time this year.
Meanwhile, Canyon del Oro moved through the winners' bracket of the Arizona 4A-I playoffs and moves up one spot to the No. 3 position. Parkview remains the top team in Georgia and is now No. 4, while Pace has been impressive in its first two playoff outings in the Florida 6A state playoffs.
This week's rankings also include "The Next 25," featuring the teams that are close to breaking into the Xcellent 25.
MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL NATIONAL RANKINGS
1. (2) Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall, Texas), 34-0
The Hawks advanced through the first round of the 4A state playoffs with a sweep of Centennial in bi-district play. Rockwall-Heath won the opener 9-2 on Thursday and ended the series with a 4-1 win on Friday. Trevor Holland, Jovan Hernandez and Jake Thompson all homered in the first game while Thompson and Drew Benefield each knocked one out in the second game.
2. (3) Sumrall (Miss.), 31-1
Another playoff sweep for the Bobcats, who topped St. Andrews Episcopal in two games, 14-0 and 13-3. Luke Lowery gave up one hit and struck out eight to pick up the win in the first game. Connor Barron and Jackson Posey each had three RBI in the second game. 
Jake Rodriguez, Elk Grove
Photo by Mark Bahrenfuss
3. (4) Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.), 27-2
The Dorados finished the season with a 13-3 win over Pueblo and a 6-0 shutout of Catalina Foothills before knocking off Kellis 8-3 in the first round of the Division 4A-I state playoffs. Corey Fujimoto had a home run and three RBI in the win over Pueblo and added three hits in the Catalina Foothills victory.
4. (6) Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), 25-3
The Panthers made quick work of Kennesaw Mountain in the first round of the Georgia AAAAA playoffs, winning 16-6 and 9-5. Matt Olson had a grand slam and Kyle Nerbonne and Austin Wheeler each had three-run homers in the first game. Brandon Kregel added a grand slam in the second game.
5. (8) Pace (Fla.), 26-2
The Patriots whipped Niceville 10-0 and then topped Milton for the second time in two weeks, 9-3, to advance to the 5A regional finals. Pace also defeated Milton for the District 1 championship two weeks ago. Rusty Way had a home run in the win over Niceville, while sophomore Addison Russell sparked Pace in the win over Milton with a home run.
6. (9) Sts. Neumann & Goretti (Philadelphia), 15-1
The Saints took a pair from Kennedy-Kenrick, winning the first game 2-1 with a run in the 10th inning, and the second game 12-2. Albert Baur was the winning pitcher in the first game and then pitched the first four innings of the second game, played the following day, to get the win. He also had two doubles and two RBI while Mark Donato was 2 for 3 with four RBI, two runs and a home run. Donato also had a double in the first game.
7. (10) Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, Pa.), 22-1
The Patriots blasted Penn Charter 19-5 and cruised past Chestnut Hill 10-2. Sean Coyle set a school record with his ninth home run of the season in the win over Chestnut Hill. John Citrone and Greg Guers each added a two-run homer in the win. Coyle also had a huge game against Penn Charter, hitting a three-run home run and a grand slam during the Patriots' 13-run inning. Coyle finished 4 for 5 with three runs scored and seven RBI. Tyler Kenney also had a home run in the win.
8. (11) Wando (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.), 27-2
The Warriors bounced back from a loss to North Augusta in the state playoffs to win four straight games. Wando crushed Beaufort 12-1 and then swept North Augusta 7-4 and 7-1 in the region playoffs. Wando opened Lower State playoff competition with a 5-3 win over Summerville on Saturday. Evan Hunt had four RBI in the win over Beaufort while Drew Cisco (9-1) struck out nine and gave up one run on four hits in the 7-1 victory over North Augusta. In the second game, Reid Langdale (7-1) struck out eight and gave up four runs on eight hits.
9. (1) Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), 21-1
The Warriors' run at the top ended after a 5-4 loss to St. Edward when All-American Stetson Allie blasted a game-winning home run for the win. Walsh Jesuit picked up a 12-4 win over St. Ignatius earlier in the week and belted Wadsworth 14-3 on Thursday.
10. (5) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 24-3
The Monarchs split their two league contests of the week, falling to Valley Christian 6-5 and topping Sacred Heart Cathedral 13-7. Kyle Alwyn had a double in the loss to Valley Christian to pace the Monarch offense while Alex Balog, Brett Fuller and Sean Edgecumb all homered in the Sacred Heart Cathedral victory.
11. (12) McAllen (Texas), 30-3
The Bulldogs advanced to the second round of the Texas 5A state playoffs with a sweep of Alexander in bi-district play, winning 5-3 and 4-1. Alex Garza struck out 11 to get the win in the first game.
12. (13) Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), 24-3
The defending 3A state champion Bulldogs won their first two games in the Florida state playoffs, beating Union County 14-5 in their opener and Baker County 7-0 to advance to the regional finals against Pensacola Catholic. D.J. Stewart hit a home run in the win over Union County and Braddock Rowe had four hits and four RBI. Against Baker County, David Perkins hit one out and had three RBI.
13. (14) La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.), 24-2
The Bears opened the 5A state playoffs with a 6-2 victory over Los Lunas on Friday. In last week's 25-1 win over Valley, Zach Nelson was 4 for 4 with two doubles, two home runs and six RBI. Zach Cogan, meanwhile, was 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBI. In a 13-7 win over Valley, Matt Smith had two home runs and Nelson had one.
14. (16) Madison Central (Miss.), 28-2
The Jaguars advanced to the third round of the Mississippi 6A state playoffs with a sweep of Warren Central, 7-5 and 7-1. Peyton Johnson had a home run in the first game while Stanford Parks, Josh Crowder and Ryan Bolden all homered in the second game.
15. (18) Bellaire (Texas), 30-3-1
The Cardinals had no trouble in their bi-district sweep of Eisenhower, winning 16-2 and 17-5. Toller Boardman got the win in the first game while Daniel Gerow had a home run, a triple and four RBI. In the second game, Kyle Chaskin picked up the pitching win and had a home run. Boardman and Kirby Taylor were each 4 for 5 at the plate while Gerow and Sean Washington also had home runs.
16. (20) Greenwood (Ark.), 28-1
The Bulldogs set up this week's showdown with Fayetteville with a pair of doubleheader sweeps. Greenwood knocked off Alma 4-1 and 15-10 and routed Harrison 10-2 and 23-5 to finish 14-0 in 5A West competition.
17. (21) East Coweta (Sharpsburg, Ga.), 25-3
The Indians got past Warner Robins in straight games to advance to the second round of the Georgia AAAAA state playoffs. Cam Bedrosian got the win in a 5-1 victory, giving up just five hits, while Taylor Cato had a no-hitter for four innings before eventually settling for a 9-3 win.
18. (24) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.), 29-3
The Gaels upped their win streak to 20 in a row with an 11-0 win over Clark, a 9-4 victory against Bonanza and a 6-2 win over Las Vegas. Joey Gallo and Erik Van Meetren each homered against Clark while Johnny Field hit two home runs and T.J. White and Gallo each had one in the victory over Bonanza.
19. (25) White Knoll (Lexington, S.C.), 27-1
The Timberwolves zipped through the Region V playoffs, topping Hartsville 8-6 in the championship game. White Knoll then defeated Sumter 15-9 in the first round of the Lower State playoffs to set up a matchup with Wando.
20. (NR) Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio), 24-1
Ranked No. 1 in Ohio in the Division I coaches poll, the Fighting Crusaders have won 22 in a row since losing to Noblesville in the third game of the season. Moeller has been on a roll of late, defeating Roger Bacon 12-2, Oak Hills 16-2 and Butler 14-4.
21. (NR) Elk Grove (Calif.), 21-3
The Thundering Herd stayed unbeaten in Delta Valley League play last week, topping Davis 8-7 and Kennedy 11-0. Elk Grove also played a nonleague game against Valley Christian of the Central Coast Section, winning 5-0.
22. (NR) Desert Ridge (Mesa, Ariz.), 28-4
The Jaguars won three playoff games in the Arizona 5A-I playoffs last week, topping Desert Vista 14-6, Salpointe Catholic 14-3 and Gilbert 5-4. Taylor Kaczmarek and Travis Flores lead the team in home runs with 12 apiece.
23. (NR) Seminole (Fla.), 23-5
One week after falling to Dunedin in the District 11-5A finals, the Warhawks knocked off Dunedin 11-5 and eliminated the Falcons from the postseason. Seminole opened the playoffs with a 4-2 win over Pinellas Park and will play King in the regional finals this week.
24. (22) Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), 25-3
The Golden Eagles split a pair of games with Madera last week, winning the first game 16-2, only to drop the second game three days later 7-5. Mike Gilleland led Clovis West with a pair of home runs in the loss. Eric Karch upped his record to 9-0 and had four RBI in Clovis West's 16-2 victory.
25. (23) Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.), 23-2
The Patriots lost a 5-2 decision to New Trier, last year's 4A state champion, but retained their No. 1 ranking in Illinois.
The Next 25
26. Dunedin (Fla.), 23-4-1
The Falcons defeated Largo 14-1 in the first game of the Florida 5A state playoffs, but dropped an 11-5 decision to Seminole, the team it defeated for the District 11 championship, in the second round. Dunedin has been eliminated from the 5A state playoffs with the loss.
27. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas), 30-3
Ranked No. 2 in the Texas 4A coaches poll, the Trojans topped Floresville 15-1 and 11-4 in bi-district play.
28. Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), 24-2
The Lancers are ranked No. 1 in Southern California by the Los Angeles Times and No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 rankings. Besides a doubleheader sweep of Bishop Montgomery last week (13-0, 12-1), the Lancers also topped South Hills 4-3 and Lakewood 11-1.
29. Alonso (Tampa, Fla.), 24-5
Ranked No. 1 in the nation to start the season, the Ravens are working their way back into the Xcellent 25. Alonso opened the playoffs with a 5-1 victory over Sarasota and then edged rival Plant 2-1 to advance to the regional finals against West Orange.
30. Lake Wales (Fla.), 26-4
The Highlanders lost to Winterhaven in district play two weeks ago, but advanced to the regional finals after a 12-4 win over Auburndale and a 13-4 win over Lakeland, the team that knocked Winterhaven out of the 6A playoffs.
31. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas), 29-3
The Wildcats are ranked No. 3 in the Texas 4A coaches state rankings and opened the playoffs with a 9-2 win over Veterans Memorial in bi-district play.
32. Orange Lutheran (Calif.), 19-5
The Lancers have won six straight in Trinity League play, taking a pair of games from Servite last week, 3-2 and 6-4. Chase Harrison had a home run in the ninth inning in the 6-4 win for Lutheran.
33. Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), 33-5
After losing to West 3-2 two weeks ago, Farragut has won four, beating OakRidge 7-1 and William Blount 5-1 to go along with two wins in district tournament play over Lenoir City, 11-1, and Bearden, 4-3.
34. Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), 22-2
The Falcons advanced to the regional finals against Coral Springs in the Florida 6A state playoffs by beating South Plantation 12-2 and West Broward 8-7.
35. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 24-5-1
The Patriots defeated Coral Springs Charter for the second time in two weeks, winning 7-1 to advance to the regional finals in the Florida 3A state playoffs. American Heritage also defeated St. Andrew's 10-0 in its playoff opener.
36. Columbus (Miami, Fla.), 22-7
The Explorers advanced to the regional finals by defeating South Dade 5-0 after South Dade had knocked off Ferguson, which defeated Columbus for the District 15 championship. Columbus also topped Killian 19-9 in its playoff opener.
37. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), 27-3
The Tigers defeated Osceola 4-3 and Lakewood Ranch 7-1 to advance to the regional finals of the Florida 4A state playoffs.
38. Owasso (Okla.), 30-5
The Rams easily got through the regional tournament, dropping Grant 21-1, Enid 20-0 and Midwest City 16-0.
39. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), 23-4
The Mavericks whipped through Fallbrook this week in Avocado League play, winning the three games by scores of 2-0, 20-3 and 18-5 to up their record to 11-1 in league play.
40. Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.), 30-3
The Wolves took two in a row from Southmoore, 9-5 and 10-0, to win the 6A regional. Santa Fe also defeated Del City 12-0 in its regional opener.
41. Kingwood (Texas), 23-5
Ranked No. 4 in the Texas 5A coaches poll, the Mustangs opened bi-district play with a sweep of Milby, winning 5-3 and 9-8.
42. Hoggard (Wilmington, N.C.), 18-2
The Vikings are ranked No. 1 in the state of North Carolina in the 4A Division and picked up a 9-1 win over Ashley and an 8-5 victory over New Hanover last week.
43. Flower Mound (Texas), 27-5
Ranked No. 5 in the Texas 5A state coaches poll, the Jaguars topped Northwest 6-2 and 14-2 in bi-district play to open the state 5A playoffs.
44. Portage Northern (Mich.), 21-0
Ranked No. 1 in the state of Michigan by the state coaches poll, the Huskies are undefeated on the season after beating Kalamazoo Central 12-2 and Allegan 10-0 last week.
45. Petal (Miss.), 26-2
The Panthers advanced to the third round of the Mississippi 6A state playoffs with a sweep of Ocean Springs, 10-5 and 9-4. Petal opened the playoffs with a pair of wins over Brandon, 9-2 and 10-5.
46. Mesquite (Gilbert, Ariz.), 26-6
The Wildcats knocked previous Xcellent 25 member Hamilton out of the playoffs last week with a 5-4 win and are working their way through the losers bracket of the Arizona 5A-I playoffs for a showdown with Desert Ridge.
47. Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins, Colo.), 17-2
The Lobos have won 14 in a row and have scored in double figures in every game during the streak in taking over the No. 1 ranking in Colorado. Rocky Mountain topped Fort Collins 11-0 and Mountain Range 10-0 last week.
48. Centennial (Circle Pines, Minn.), 13-0
The Cougars are ranked No. 1 in the state of Minnesota and have outscored opponents 165-31 in opening the season with 13 straight wins. Topped Park Center 26-0 and Elk River 10-0 last week.
49. Crown Point (Ind.), 17-2
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in the state of Indiana and recently defeated Portage 12-2 and Valparaiso 14-0. Crown Point has a big game coming up against LaPorte on Tuesday.
50. Roseburg (Ore.), 22-2
The Indians split a doubleheader with North Medford, winning 8-2 and losing 5-2. Roseburg is ranked No. 1 in the state while North Medford is ranked No. 2. Roseburg is 2-1 against North Medford this year.
