MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 high school baseball rankings

League races are tightening throughout Northern California for most, though top-ranked St. Francis (Mountain View) is in a neck-to-neck scramble with No. 3 Serra (San Mateo) in the loaded West Catholic Athletic League. These rankings include new blood, too.

MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 Baseball Rankings

1. (Last week: 1) St. Francis (Mountain View), 22-1
The Lancers stormed on, downing Riordon (San Francisco) 9-0, Mitty (San Jose) 14-3 and Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 2-1 to remain tied with Serra (San Mateo) for top honors in the wildly competitive West Catholic Athletic League standings. In the 2-1 triumph, Austin Guibor and Tyler Deason drove in runs, and pitchers Deason, Richard Boe and Bailey Owen combined on a five-hitter with seven strikeouts. Games this week: St. Ignatius and Serra. Other St. Francis wins include Campolindo (6-3), De La Salle (Concord) (6-4) and St. Mary's (Stockton) (8-2), the only team to beat No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) this season.

2. (2) Granada (Livermore), 14-0
The Matadors defeated De La Salle (Concord) 4-0 and Monte Vista (Danville) 4-1 to remain unbeaten and on top of the East Bay Athletic League. Casey Soltis drove in two and Jacob Payne struck out seven against De La Salle. Against Monte Vista, Vince Fernandez had two RBIs and Anthony Olmo and Ryan Flayler were strong on the hill. Games this
week: Livermore and San Ramon Valley (Danville).

3. (3) Serra (San Mateo), 16-3
The Padres remain in a first-place tie with St. Francis in the WCAL after beating St. Ignatius 3-0 and Valley Christian (San Jose) 12-1. Matt Gorgolinski earned the win against SI on a three-hitter, walking two. Against VC, Christian Conci had four RBIs and Michael Tinsley three, and Sean Watkins struck out six for the win. Games this week: Mitty and St. Francis. Losses were to preseason No. 1 Campolindo (Moraga) 3-1 and to Mitty (San Jose) 2-1.

4. (7) Elk Grove, 16-3
The Thundering Herd have rolled in four consecutive games since the 2-1 loss to Davis in Delta Valley Conference play, steaming past Grant (Sacramento) 5-0 and 12-4 and Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) 14-1 and 19-3. David Smith and Micheal Wright are the co-aces, and the three leading sluggers are Dom Nunez, Ryan Tellez and Derek Hill. Games this week: Franklin (Elk Grove) twice in DVC play and Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) in the Albie Swingin' For Cancer showcase on Saturday.

5. (4) Amador Valley (Pleasanton), 11-5
The Dons lost to California (San Ramon Valley) 6-5 and defeated San Ramon Valley (Danville) 1-0 to remain in the thick of the East Bay Athletic League. Austin Piscotty had the RBI against San Ramon Valley and Michael Echavia tossed a one-hitter. Games this week: Foothill (Pleasanton) and Livermore. Other losses were to No. 2 Granada 5-0 and 1-0 to top-ranked St. Francis. A win earlier was over De La Salle 3-2.

6. (5) De La Salle (Concord), 10-5
The Spartans lost to No. 2 Granada 4-0 and pounded Livermore 13-1 to stay in the race in the East Bay Athletic League. Against Livermore, Hunter Mercado-Hood had three RBIs and Ray Bartolomucci, John Velasco and Chris Williams each drove in two.Games this week: California (San Ramon) and Foothill (Pleasanton). De La Salle has early losses to No. 2 Serra (4-2) and to top-ranked St. Francis (6-4) with quality wins over preseason No. 1 Campolindo (2-0) and St. Mary's-Stockton (10-0).

7. (13) Davis, 15-5
The Blue Devils of Yolo County have won eight consecutive games and are unbeaten in the Delta Valley Conference, a game ahead of Sacramento Bee No. 1 Elk Grove (a team Davis beat 2-1 in a thriller). Davis beat Franklin (Elk Grove) 4-1 and Grant (Sacramento) 13-4 as ace arms Matt Trask and Jake Miille continue to stifle teams, with Joe Murray and freshman shortstop Ryan Kreidler leading the hit parade. Games this week: Grant (Sacramento) and Laguna Creek (Elk Grove).

8. (9) Turlock, 20-1
The Bulldogs of the Central California Conference opened the season with a 1-0 loss to Lincoln (Stockton) and now are cruising in league at 10-0. Turlock beat Pitman (Turlock) 9-0 and 8-0 and Escalon 3-0 in the finals of the Windemuth Easter Classic. Gavin Gaffaney drove in two and Dakota Edwards struck out six in the Escalon effort. Games this week: Buhach Colony (Atwater) and Merced.

9. (6) Granite Bay, 11-6
The Grizzlies of Placer County were top-ranked by The Sacramento Bee after a 3-0 start in the Sierra Foothill League before getting upset by Nevada Union (Grass Valley) 3-1 and then recovering by beating that same team 5-3 and 6-4. Gabe Meza is the ace. The Grizzlies have also topped defending Sac-Joaquin Section D-I North champion Franklin (Elk Grove) 5-2, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 2-0 and then Bee No. 2 Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) 8-1 with losses to Bellarmine (6-4) and Campolindo (13-0). Games this week: three against Woodcreek (Roseville).

10. (NR) Lodi, 14-7
The Flames are on fire, literally, with two wins over Lincoln (Stockton), including 6-3. There's also a 10-2 loss to Turlock and a 5-4 setback to Lincoln. All told, Lodi is 8-1 in the San Joaquin Athletic Association standings. Games this week: Two against Tracy.

11. (8) Lincoln (Stockton), 15-2-2
The Trojans are the only team to defeat NorCal-ranked Turlock, 1-0 in an opener, and have a 5-4 victory in the Banner Island Classic over Jesuit (Carmichael), which is ranked second by The Sacramento Bee. There are two losses to rival Lodi, including last week 6-3, before bouncing back with a 5-4 win over the same club. Games this week: Franklin (Stockton) twice and St. Mary's of Stockton on Saturday night at Pacific.

12. (12) Bellarmine (San Jose), 17-6
The Bells are 6-4 in the brutal WCAL after beating Sacred Heart Cathedral 3-2 and St. Ignatius 5-0. Games this week: Valley Christian (San Jose) and Mitty (San Jose) as the league race winds down.

13. (14) Casa Grande (Petaluma), 17-1
The Gauchos always pitch and defend with just the right amount of timely hitting, beating Montgomery (Santa Rosa) 1-0 and Maria Carrillo (Santa Rosa) 2-1 to remain in control of the North Bay League. Anthony Bender had the RBI and Dominic Garihan struck out six in the Montgomery win. Games this week: Windsor and Ukiah.

14. (16) Campolindo (Moraga), 10-6-1
The MaxPreps NorCal preseason No. 1, the Cougars of the Diablo Foothill Athletic League are warming up after a slow start. The winning streak is at five after downing Alhambra (Martinez) 6-0 and Dougherty Valley (San Ramon) 8-0. Unfortunately, Campolindo does not update MaxPreps statistics or box scores. Games this week: Dublun and Acalanes (Lafayette).

15. (10) Jesuit (Carmichael), 13-4
The Marauders are in the thick of a Delta River League race that includes defending champion Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) and Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) under longtime coach Joe Potulny. Games this week: Ponderosa three times (already a 9-7 loss on Monday) and rival Christian Brothers on Saturday.

16. (22) St. Mary's (Stockton), 9-11
Slowly creeping back to .500, the three-time defending Sac-Joaquin Section D-I champions are rolling now, including an 8-1 win over Mitty (San Jose) in the Banner Island Classic and then routing Edison (Stockton) 13-0 and 21-0 in Tri-City League action. The Rams are also the only team to beat national heavy Mater Dei, 1-0. There's also a 2-1 victory over Rocklin and close setbacks to Serra (4-2), Valley Christian (San Jose) (2-1) and Jesuit (4-2) but some beat downs to Elk
Grove (10-1) and De La Salle (10-0). Games this week: West (Tracy) twice and NorCal-ranked Lincoln (Stockton) on Saturday night at Pacific.

17. (17) Rocklin, 12-5
The Thunder of Placer County are 6-0 in the ever-fun Sierra Foothill League that includes rivals Granite Bay and Woodcreek (Roseville). Rocklin beat Del Oro (Loomis) 2-1, 5-3 and 8-1 and this week plays Roseville three times. The ace arms are Logan Webb and Austin Dick. Wins earlier include NorCal and Sacramento Bee-ranked Davis 3-2 and Oak Ridge 3-1.

18. (NR) Pacific Grove, 20-0
The Breakers of the Mission Trail League in Monterey County are rolling behind leading hitter Kevin Teskey (24 RBIs) and aces Chris Clements (8-0) and Wes Carswell (6-0). The team has six shutouts and has allowed one run three other times. Games this week: Gonzalez, Carmel and Greenfield.

19. (18) College Park (Pleasant Hill), 10-4-1
The Falcons of the Diablo Valley Athletic League have a recent 5-2 win over No. 2 NorCal-ranked Serra and last week lost to Northgate (Walnut Creek) 2-0 and exacted a measure of revenge with a 7-3 win over the same team. Games this week: Berean Christian (Walnut Creek).

20. (25) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 10-8
The Trojans have a win over Jesuit and triumphs of 11-3 and 10-3 over defending Delta River League champion Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) last week under coach Todd Melton. The team leader is shortstop guru Alec de Watteville. Losses include Sierra Foothill League powers in NorCal-ranked Rocklin 3-1 and Granite Bay 8-1 and to Sacramento Bee No. 1 Elk Grove, 6-5. Games this week: Sheldon three times.

21. (15) Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove), 14-6
The Eagles beat Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) 7-4 then lost to the same club in Delta River League action 11-3 and 10-3 before beating Folsom on Monday 8-1. Coach Rob Rinaldi has a leader in slugger Josh Adams. Earlier wins include 11-1 over Elk Grove and 11-0 over Franklin (Elk Grove).

22. (17) San Benito (Hollister), 18-4
The Haybalers of the Monterey Bay League lost to Christopher (Gilroy) 2-1 then rolled the same team 11-2 and then edged Monte Vista Christian (Watsonville) 10-9. Games this week: North Salinas and Monterey.

23. (NR) Del Campo (Fair Oaks), 15-5
The Cougars of the Sac-Joaquin Section are a decades-long power, having produced Dusty Baker in the 1960s and a number of championship teams in subsequent decades. First-year coach Paul Martinez has led title teams at other area schools. Here, he has leaders in Tyler Swank, Sam Long and leading hitter Derek Rodigo. Del Campo has won eight consecutive games and is in control of the Capital Valley Conference.

24. (20) Whitney (Rocklin), 20-1
The Wildcats of the Capital Athletic League suffered their first loss, 4-3 to rival Antelope, but bounced back with a 4-3 triumph over the same team. Whitney is not ranked higher as it has not endured near the brutal scheduling as other teams, and it is ranked No. 9 by The Sacramento Bee behind heavies with loaded schedules. Still, this is a team to beat in the upcoming Sac-Joaquin Section D-III playoffs.

25. (24) Benicia, 20-3
The Panthers are rolling in the Solano County League but finally stumbled a bit, losing 5-3 to Fairfield. Benicia bounced back a bit with an 18-0 flogging of the same team. Steven Daini is 5-0 and Ryan Bohnet is 6-0 as co-aces. Games this week: Vanden twice.