State playoffs claimed four victims out of the top 10 teams in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Baseball Rankings presented by Milk last week, but the No. 1 and 2 teams in the country continued with strong performances.
Rockwall-Heath easily defeated Kimball to remain undefeated on the season at 36-0 and advance to the third round of the Texas 4A state playoffs. Meanwhile Sumrall, ranked No. 2, advanced to the 3A state finals in Mississippi for the third straight season with two blowout wins over Forest in the semifinals.
The playoffs were not as kind to Wando, Parkview or Canyon del Oro. No. 8 Wando lost twice to White Knoll and was eliminated in the Lower State playoffs in South Carolina. No. 4 Parkview, meanwhile, lost twice to Lassiter and was eliminated from the Georgia 5A state playoffs. No. 3 Canyon del Oro lost in the Arizona 4A-I semifinals and was eliminated from the playoffs.
A fourth top 10 team, No. 7 Germantown Academy, lost a regular-season game. Pennsylvania has not started postseason play.
Among the quickest-rising teams are Monroe Campus of New York and Halls of Knoxville, Tenn. Monroe Campus entered the rankings at No. 28 after taking over the top spot in the New York state rankings. Halls, meanwhile, enters the Tennessee 3A state tournament with a 33-1 record and enters the rankings at No. 34.
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. (1) Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall, Texas), 36-0
Kimball was no match for the Hawks, who advanced to the third round of the Texas 4A state playoffs with a 9-0, 18-3 sweep. Jovan Hernandez pitched a two-hit shutout in the opener and also had a double. Trevor Holland and Tyler Harding helped out with home runs. In the second game, Jake Thompson threw a three-hitter and had a double and a triple at the plate.
2. (2) Sumrall (Miss.), 33-1
The Bobcats put up two more blowout wins to advance to the Mississippi 3A state final for the third year in a row. In an 11-1 win of Forest, Chase Lewallen, Connor Barron and Chad Guice all hit home runs with Barron also adding two doubles. Luke Lowery struck out nine in the win. In the second game, Barron continued to hit well, belting a double and a home run with four RBI.
3. (5) Pace (Fla.), 27-2
Pace edged Chiles 3-2 to advance to the Florida 5A state semifinals, where it will face King, an upset winner over Seminole. Pace managed only two hits in the game against Chiles, but they were back-to-back doubles that sparked a three-run rally. Following a walk and an error, Josh Reeves and Kris Desposito each hit sacrifice flies to give Pace the 3-2 advantage. 
Steve Janas, Lassiter
Photo by Dennis Carter
4. (6) Sts. Neumann & Goretti (Philadelphia), 17-1
The Saints routed Cardinal Dougherty, 14-1 and 15-0, in their only two games last week. Mike Riverso pitched five innings and struck out nine in the first game while also going 3 for 3 at the plate with six RBI, two home runs and three runs scored. Mark Donato added a two-run homer. Marty Venafro paced the offense in the second game, slashing a double and a triple to finish with five RBI.
5. (9) Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), 24-1
The Warriors began the postseason with a pair of anticlimactic wins, routing Firestone 20-1 and East 13-0. Tim Faix got the win against Firestone to improve to 6-0 while Johnny Fasola hit his eighth home run of the season to go along with a double and five RBI. Greg Greve also homered and had a single.
6. (10) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 27-3
The Monarchs captured the West Catholic Athletic League postseason tournament, defeating Serra 8-5 in the championship game. Mitty also defeated Riordan in the first round 9-2 and topped St. Ignatius in the semifinals 9-7. Brett Fuller, Preston Caldera and James Roberts all had two hits in the championship game with Alex Balog striking out five in picking up the win.
7. (11) McAllen (Texas), 32-3
The Bulldogs, now ranked No. 1 in the Texas Baseball Coaches 5A poll, advanced to the third round of the state playoffs with a sweep of Weslaco, 12-1 and 7-0. Omar Pompa had a three-run triple in the second game to spark the offense and added a fourth RBI on a sacrifice fly. Alexis Garza got the win, striking out 10 and allowing just two hits. In the first game, Alvaro Moreno had a fifth-inning grand slam to bring an early end to the game via the 10-run mercy rule. Moreno was 3 for 4 with six RBI and finished a double short of hitting for the cycle.
8. (12) Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), 24-3
The defending 3A state champions held off Pensacola Catholic 8-5 to advance to the Florida state semifinals against Tampa Catholic. Down 3-0, Bolles rallied for eight runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, despite being outhit 7-5. David Perkins hit his 10th home run of the season and Caleb Denmark also had a round-tripper to go with three RBI. Mark Lumpa struck out nine to get the complete-game victory.
9. (13) La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.), 28-2
The Bears avenged last year's AAAAA state championship loss to Rio Rancho with a 14-2 victory in the championship game Saturday, capping a 28-2 season and leaving the Bears with a 27-game win streak heading into next year. Josh McAllister picked up the win, his ninth of the season, and got plenty of help from an offense that banged out 16 hits against Rio Rancho. Stephen Carbajal was 4 for 4 at the plate with three RBI and was one of five Bears to have more than two hits. La Cueva defeated Onate 5-4 in the semifinals and Mayfield 6-3 in the second round.
10. (14) Madison Central (Miss.), 28-2
The Jaguars reached the Mississippi 6A state championship game with a sweep of Tupelo in the semifinals, 4-0 and 6-3. Brayden Jones and Josh Crowder each homered in the first game, with Jones also getting the pitching win. Crowder and Ryan Bolden hit home runs in the second game with Bolden also adding a triple.
11. (15) Bellaire (Texas), 32-3-1
The Cardinals swept Seven Lakes, winning 6-1 in the second game that was delayed six hours by rain. Kyle Chaskin gained the victory and got help from Alex Silver and Kirby Taylor, each of whom hit home runs. The Cardinals won the first game against Seven Lakes 7-1 behind the pitching of Toller Boardman.
12. (16) Greenwood (Ark.), 30-1
The Bulldogs won a pair of close games, stopping defending state champion Fayetteville 9-8 in a nonleague matchup and topping White Hall 7-6. Greenwood scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to top Fayetteville to climax a comeback that saw the Bulldogs trail the Purple Dogs 8-0 at one point. Brennan Rogers had a three-run homer to spark the win. Greenwood rallied in the bottom of the sixth to top White Hall in the first round of the state 5A playoffs, scoring a pair of unearned runs to win it.
13. (7) Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, Pa.), 23-2
The Patriots lost just their second game of the season, falling to Malvern Prep 10-7 last week. They bounced back with a win over Episcopal Academy the next day with a 6-0 victory. Aaron Novak had two home runs in the loss as Germantown Academy pounded 12 hits in the loss, but could not overcome a seven-run third inning by Malvern Prep. Sean Cosgriff threw a one-hitter with six strikeouts in the win over Episcopal Academy. Sean Coyle was 2 for 3 with three stolen bases and a double.
14. (18) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.), 33-3
The Gaels made it 24 straight wins after claiming the Sunset Regional with four victories last week, 4-2 over Centennial, 15-5 against Bonanza, 6-2 against Sierra Vista and 10-9 over Sierra Vista in the championship game. Erik Van Meetren was 3 for 4 in the final with two doubles and four RBI.
15. (19) White Knoll (Lexington, S.C.), 30-2
The Timberwolves began the week with a 4-1 loss to Wando, but they fought through the loser's bracket to win three in a row, including a two-game sweep of Wando for the Lower State AAAA championship. After losing to Wando on Monday, White Knoll routed Summerville 9-0 before edging Wando 9-8 in the first championship game. In the second championship game, the Timberwolves topped Wando's ace, Drew Cisco, 7-4 for the Lower State championship.
16. (8) Wando (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.), 28-4
After sending White Knoll to the loser's bracket in the Lower State AAAA playoffs, Wando lost twice to the Timberwolves on Friday, falling 9-8 and 7-4. Drew Cisco got the win in Monday's 4-1 victory over White Knoll, as he struck out 10 and walked only one. White Knoll was able to defeat Cisco in the second game Friday, handing him just his second loss of the season (10-2).
17. (20) Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio), 25-1
The Fighting Crusaders played just one game last week, topping Hughes Center 20-0. David Whitehead threw a no-hitter in the section semifinal, striking out 13 batters. Ethan McAlpine was 4 for 4 with a double and a triple while Robby Sunderman had two doubles and four RBI. Jake Madsen had a triple and brought home five runs.
18. (21) Elk Grove (Calif.), 24-3
The Thundering Herd outscored their opponent 58-0 in three games last week, including a 28-0 and 20-0 sweep of Valley. Elk Grove also topped Kennedy 10-0 and has won its last five games by shutout. Jake Rodriguez had a home run and three RBI in the first win over Valley. The Thundering Herd begins the playoffs this week against Sheldon.
19. (22) Desert Ridge (Mesa, Ariz.), 30-4
The Jaguars defeated Mesquite to capture the Arizona 5A-I state championship with an 11-4 victory. Desert Ridge also defeated Gilbert 5-3 to win pool A. The title is the second in a row for Desert Ridge, which won the 5A-II state crown last year. Scott Hoffman got the complete-game win and Austin Cain had a hit that scored three runs during a six-run sixth inning.
20. (24) Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), 27-3
The Golden Eagles gained the top seed in the CIF Central Section playoffs this week after finishing with a pair of wins over rival Clovis. In a 9-2 win over Clovis, Eric Karch improved his record to 10-0 while striking out nine.
21. (27) Moody [Foy H.] (Corpus Christi, Texas), 31-3
The Trojans defeated Alice 3-0 in a one-game playoff in the second round of the Texas 4A state playoffs behind a strong outing by pitcher Michael Franco. He picked up the shutout and struck out 13 batters while walking only one.
22. (29) Alonso (Tampa, Fla.), 24-5
The defending 6A state champions advanced to the state semifinals with a 6-1 victory over West Orange. The Ravens take on American, which knocked off Columbus.
23. (31) Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas), 31-3
The Wildcats swept a pair from Ray, 12-1 and 14-2, to advance to the third round against Uvalde.
24. (32) Orange Lutheran (Calif.), 21-5
The Lancers concluded Trinity League play with a sweep of Santa Margarita, 6-3, 5-4, capturing the league title with a 12-3 record.
25. (33) Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), 35-5
The Admirals won the district tournament with a 7-0 win over Maryville on Monday and an 11-1 victory over Bearden on Tuesday. The Admirals advance to the region semifinals this week. Ethan Bennett also tied a state record with his 24th home run of the season in the Bearden victory.
The Next 25
26. (34) Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), 23-2
The Falcons edged Coral Springs 2-1 to advance to the state semifinals of the 6A state playoffs against Timber Creek.
27. (37) Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), 28-3
The Tigers claimed the regional championship and moved on to the Florida 4A state semifinals with an 8-1 win over Mariner.
28. (NR) Monroe Campus (Bronx, N.Y.), 19-0
Monroe Campus is 19-0 in PSAL play and is ranked No. 1 in the state rankings by the New York Sports Writers Association.
29. (39) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), 25-4
The Mavericks topped Torrey Pines twice last week, winning 4-3 and 4-2 to finish 13-1 in the Avocado League.
30. (42) Hoggard [John T.] (Wilmington, N.C.), 20-2
The Vikings won twice in the North Carolina 4A state playoffs, defeating West Carteret 15-11 and Garner Magnet 5-2.
31. (28) Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), 25-3
The Lancers split a pair of games with St. Paul last week, winning 8-1 on Monday before falling 3-2 in the season finale on Wednesday.
32. (38) Owasso (Okla.), 34-6
The Rams lost to Jenks in the Oklahoma 6A state tournament B bracket, but won two straight games, including a 5-4 win over Jenks, to win the bracket and advance in the state tournament. Owasso beat Norman North 6-3 before falling to Jenks 8-4. The Rams then topped Norman North 9-7 before edging Jenks for the B bracket championship.
33. (44) Portage Northern (Mich.), 25-0
The Huskies won four times last week, sweeping a doubleheader from Loy Norrix, 9-5 and 11-1, and St. Joseph, 5-0 and 9-2.
34. (NR) Halls (Knoxville, Tenn.), 33-1
Halls has won 27 straight games since losing to Maryville on April 1.
35. (NR) Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.), 25-5
Mill Creek advanced to the third round of the Georgia AAAAA playoffs with a 3-2, 5-2 sweep of Etowah.
36. (NR) Lassiter (Marietta, Ga.), 22-8
Lassiter knocked off the No. 1 team in the state with a 7-0, 4-1 win over Parkview.
37. (4) Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), 25-5
The Panthers lost twice to Lassiter in the second round of the Georgia AAAAA playoffs, falling 4-1 and 7-0. The two losses eliminated Parkview from the state tournament. Lassiter handed Parkview three of its five losses this season.
38. (45) Petal (Miss.), 28-3
The Panthers won the rubber game of a three-game set with Oak Grove in the Mississippi 6A semifinals, winning the third game 7-1 to advance to the finals. Petal won the first game 6-5 and lost to Oak Grove 8-4 in the second game.
39. (47) Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins, Colo.), 17-2
The Lobos won their only game last week, topping ThunderRidge 6-4.
40. (50) Roseburg (Ore.), 21-2
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.
41. (NR) Auburn (Ala.), 32-10
The Tigers won the Alabama 6A state championship, rebounding a from a first-game 2-1 loss to Grissom with two straight wins, 9-7 and 4-3, for the title.
42. (NR) Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 26-6
The Sabercats won the Arizona 4A-I championship with a 15-5 victory over Catalina Foothills.
43. (3) Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.), 28-3
The Dorados saw their season come to an end one game short of the Arizona 4A-I final after falling to Catalina Foothills, 4-3, in the semifinals. Two of Canyon del Oro's three losses this year were to Catalina Foothills. The Dorados also defeated the Falcons twice this year. Canyon del Oro advanced to the semifinals with an 8-2 win over Sunrise Mountain.
44. (NR) St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio), 16-2
St. Edward's has a win over Walsh Jesuit and one of its losses is to Wando.
45. (NR) Lakewood (Calif.), 27-5
The Lancers won twice last week, beating Jordan 11-1 and Long Beach Poly 11-8.
46. (NR) Glendora (Calif.), 22-2-1
The Tartans will likely move up to the No. 1 ranking in the CIF Southern Section Division II rankings after winning the Sierra League with a 13-2 record.
47. (NR) Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau, Mo.), 21-1
The Bulldogs have just a one-run loss to Eureka marring their record.
48. (NR) Gulliver Prep (Miami, Fla.), 25-5
The Raiders knocked off American Heritage 6-4 to advance to the Florida 3A state semifinals.
49. (NR) Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 24-6
The Mavericks routed Lincoln Park 12-2 to advance to the Florida 4A state semifinals against Dunnellon.
50. (NR) Wright [C. Milton] (Bel Air, Md.), 18-0
The Mustangs have won 10 of their 18 games by shutout and are ranked No. 1 in the state of Maryland.
