High school baseball rankings: Venice knocks Jesuit from top spot in MaxPreps Top 25

Venice knocked the Jesuit Tigers out of the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings, making room for another Florida team to rise to the top. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale) leapfrogged previous No. 2 Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) following Jesuit's loss.

Calvary Christian Academy continues to get strong pitching from Andrew Painter, who tossed a 1-hitter with 12 strikeouts. But the Eagles will be put to the test this week with a game against IMG Academy.

Jesuit didn't fall far. The Tigers avenged the loss to Venice on Saturday and dropped to No. 6 behind IMG Academy. Buford (Ga.) and Barbe (Lake Charles, La.) also moved ahead of Hamilton, which has yet to play a game this season. Buford and Barbe both are undefeated with double-digit win totals. Barbe was particularly impressive last week, winning four games by shutout.

Dropped out: Woodstock (Ga.), Vestavia Hills (Ala.), Houston County (Warner Robins, Ga.), John Carroll Catholic (Fort Pierce, Fla.), Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City), Charlotte Christian (N.C.)

Game of the Week: Venice 3, Jesuit 2. The Indians scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead over the former No. 1 team. Jesuit got a home run from Jake Kulikowski in the top of the seventh, but couldn't get the trying run on base to extend the threat.

Player of the Week: Andrew Painter, Calvary Christian Academy. In 11 innings this year, Painter is 2-0 with 27 strikeouts and three hits in leading the Eagles to a No. 1 ranking in the nation.

Recruit Watch: Braden Montgomery, Madison Central. One of the top outfielders in the nation, Montgomery has helped Madison Central start the season 6-0 by batting .500 (7-for-14) with six runs, nine RBI, two doubles, a triple and a home run.

Game to Watch: No. 1 Calvary Christian Academy takes on IMG Academy. Calvary will likely send Andrew Painter, the nation's No. 1 pitching prospect, against IMG, or the Ascenders might see Irving Carter, Florida's No. 2 pitching prospect.

Streaks: Jesuit saw its 21-game win streak come to an end against Venice. The Tigers' streak had dated back to the 2019 season.
MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings

1. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Record: 7-0 | Last week: 3
Results: Def. Denmark 10-0; def. St. Anne-Pacelli, 10-0; def. Smith Station, 7-6
Stats: Erik Blair struck out nine against Denmark. Andrew Painter threw a five inning 1-hitter with 12 strikeouts against St. Anne-Pacelli. Nick Anello struck out 10 against Smith Station.
Next: Friday vs. Champagnat Catholic; Saturday vs. IMG Academy.

2. Buford (Ga.)
Record: 11-0 | Last week: 4
Results: Def. Thompson, 4-2; def. Hartselle, 2-0; def. Providence, 12-2; def. Spanish Fort, 7-6, def. Lanier, 7-0.
Stats: Dylan Lesko hit a home run against Thompson and struck out 13 to earn the win against Hartselle. Nathan Smith had a double and two triples against Providence.
Next: Wed. and Fri. vs. Lanier.

3. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)
Record: 10-0 | Last week: 6
Results: Def. South Beauregard, 10-0; def. Central Private, 10-0; Live Oak, 3-0; Doyle, 4-3; Northshore, 13-0.
Stats: Kameron Edwards had a double, a home run and six RBI against Northshore.
Next: Wed. vs. St. Louis Catholic; Fri./Sat. vs. Catholic (Baton Rouge).

4. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 2
Next: Season opener Friday vs. Alhambra

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 9-1 | Last week: 5
Results: Def. Chelsea, 15-3; def. Florence, 2-0; def. Montverde Academy, 5-0; def. Cullman, 11-1.
Stats: Elijah Green had a home run and Mason Albright struck out 10 against Chelsea. Jackson Ferris gave up two hits and struck out 13 against Florence. James Wood hit a home run and Drew Gray struck out 13 against Cullman.
Next: Wed. vs. Montverde Academy, Sat. vs. Calvary Christian Academy.

6. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)
Record: 5-1 | Last week: 1
Results: Def. Hillsborough, 10-1; lost to Venice, 3-2; def. Venice, 3-2.
Stats: Cole Russo had a home run against Hillsborough. Jake Kulikowski had a double and home run in the loss to Venice while Russo had another home run in Saturday's win over Venice.
Next: Tues. vs. Jefferson; Thurs. vs. Sarasota.

7. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas)
Record: 10-1-1 | Last week: 8
Results: Def. Hutta, 6-0; def. Round Rock, 6-2; def. Vista Ridge, def. Round Rock Westwood, 8-3; lost to Round Rock Westwood, 4-3; def. McNeil, 4-3; Cedar Ridge, 5-0.
Next: Tue. vs. Cedar Park, Thurs. vs. Vista Ridge.

8. Spruce Creek (Port Orange, Fla.)
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 9
Results: Def. Flagler Palm Coast, 5-0; def. Hagerty, 6-1; def. New Smyrna Beach, 2-0.
Stats: Knute Rockey struck out seven against Flagler Palm Coast while Brandon Neely struck out 9 against Hagerty.
Next: Fri. vs. Deltona.

9. St. Mary Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.)
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 7
Next: March 27 vs. Catholic Central

10. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
Record: 7-1 | Last week: 14
Results: Def. Boca Ciega, 10-0; def. Bishop McLaughlin, 3-2; def. Palmetto, 5-3
Next: Thur. vs. Clearwater Central Catholic, Fri. vs. Berkeley Prep.

11. Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.)
Record: 5-0 | Last week: 15
Results: Def. Cardinal Newman, 6-1.
Stats: Aiden Meola went 3-for-4 in the win.
Next: Wed. at Martin County; Thur. vs. Spanish River.

12. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.)
Record: 7-1 | Last week: 16
Results: def. Western, 5-0; def. Archbishop McCarthy, 11-0.
Stats: Chris Arroyo struck out 8 against Western while Christian Rodriguez struck out 11 against Archbishop McCarthy.
13. Reagan (San Antonio)
Record: 12-1 | Last week: 19
Results: def. MacArthur, 11-1; def. Eagle Pass, 9-1; def. O'Connor, 5-4; def. Taft, 10-0; def. Tivy, 10-0; def. Smithson Valley, 5-1.
Next: at Leander Tournament.

14. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Record: 9-0 | Last week: 20
Results: def. Mill Creek, 3-2; def. Hillgrove, 7-4; def. Wesleyan, 10-9, def. Archer, 7-4
Stats: Justin Bogard was 3-for-5 with a double against Wesleyan.
Next: March 15 vs. Parkview.

15. Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.)
Record: 9-0 | Last week: NR
Results: Def. St. Louis Catholic, 6-2; def. Northshore, 8-1; def. Mandeville, 7-3; def. Zachary, 6-2; def. Central Private, 14-5.
Stats: Ashton Fuselier went 4-for-4 with two doubles.
Next: Tue. vs. Rosepine; Thurs. vs. Ouachita.

16. Madison Central (Madison, Miss.)
Record: 6-0 | Last week: NR
Results: Def. Taylorsville, 2-1; def. Columbia, 15-1; def. West Jones, 11-0.
Stats: Beau Bryans had 10 strikeouts against West Jones while Bryan Montgomery had a triple and a home run against Columbia.
Next: Tue. vs. Northwest Rankin; Fri. vs. Germantown.

17. Carrollton (Ga.)
Record: 12-1 | Last week: 10
Results: Def. Helena, 11-1; def. Daphne, 4-2; lost to Cullman, 12-3; def. Montverde Academy, 6-3, def. Wesleyan 4-2
Next: Fri. vs. Bremen.

18. Tompkins (Katy, Texas)
Record: 10-0-1 | Last week: NR
Results: Def. Santa Fe, 2-0; def. Magnolia, 8-2; def. Montgomery, 5-2; def. Stratford, 7-6; def. Santa Fe, 10-1.
Next: Tues. vs. Katy Taylor; Thur. vs. George Ranch.

19. Gregory-Portland (Portland, Texas)
Record: 11-0-1 | Last week: NR
Results: Def. Corpus Christi Carroll, 8-0; def. Calallen, 4-3; def. Sinton, 10-1; def. King, 24-2; def. Robstown, 4-3; def. Tuloso-Midway, 8-5.
Next: at Gregory-Portland tournament.

20. Auburn (Ala.)
Record: 9-1 | Last week: NR
Results: Def. Opelika 10-0 and 7-2.
Stats: Will Turner went 2-for-4 with a double and also struck out eight in the first game.
Next: Thur. vs. Tuscaloosa County; Friday vs. Baker.

21. Owasso (Okla.)
Record: 4-0 | Last week: NR
Results: Def. Sapulpa, 13-8; def. Greenwood, 3-1; def. Jenks, 3-0; def. Jenks, 13-5.
Stats: Braden Blundell and Solomon Skalnik both homered against Sapulpa.
Next: Tues. vs. Sapulpa, Fri. vs Enid.

22. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 22
Next: March 17 vs. Franklin

23. Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 24
Next: March 16-18 Grand Slam Tournament

24. Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas)
Record: 8-3-1 | Last week: 11
Results: Def. Lovejoy, 5-0; lost to Prosper, 7-2; lost to Byron Nelson, 7-1; def. Allen, 9-2; def. Little Elm, 8-0; def. FRISCO Centennial, 8-0.
Stats: Michael Lindsey struck out nine against Centennial. Hunter Teplanszky had a home run against Allen.
Next: Wed./Fri. vs. Flower Mound.

25. Winder-Barrow (Winder, Ga.)
Record: 7-1 | Last week: 12
Results: Lost to Peachtree Ridge, 2-1; def. Greenbrier, 7-2, def. Dacula, 7-1.
Stats: Brady House was 2-for-3 with a double against Peachtree Ridge and 3-for-4 with a double against Greenbrier.
Next: Wed./Fri. vs. Dacua.