IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) solidified its hold on the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 national baseball rankings after a blowout win over Jesuit (Tampa) last week.
The Ascenders, who do not play in the Florida playoffs, have two more games on their schedule and could thus finish the year 24-1 with a number of impressive wins on their resume.
In order for a team to overtake IMG Academy in the rankings, they would have to put together an impressive run in the playoffs. For Texas teams, that means a series sweep all the way through the postseason (which Argyle did last year). For California-based teams, a team like Orange Lutheran would have to win handily in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, which is generally regarded as one of the toughest playoff brackets in the country.
Video: Top 25 national baseball rankingsIMG Academy's hold on the No. 1 spot strenghtens. Undefeated Blanchard has an outside chance, however it plays in a lower classification in Oklahoma and has not played the same type of schedule as the Ascenders.
New Teams: No. 19 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), No. 21 Malvern Prep (Malvern, Pa.), No. 23 St. Rita (Chicago), No. 24 The Woodlands (Texas), No. 25 Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.).
Dropped out: No. 15 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), lost twice; No. 19 Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), lost once; No. 23 Prosper (Texas), lost twice; No. 24 Mosley (Lynn Haven, Fla.), lost once; No. 25 Nova (Davie, Fla.), lost once.
On the Bubble: Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 22-6; Yucaipa (Calif.), 22-5; Biloxi (Miss.), 27-3; Huntington Beach (Calif.), 21-6; Parkway (Bossier City, La.), 29-4.
Player of the Week: Logan Britt of Colleyville Heritage (Texas) blasted four home runs during the week, including two in a win over Flower Mound. He was 8-for-10 with four home runs, eight runs scored and seven RBI in the Panthers' three wins.
Prospect of the Week: Sean Rimmer, Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.). The top-rated first baseman in Arizona and the No. 7 first baseman in the country by Perfect Game, Rimmer was 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and six RBI in Mountain View's playoff opener.
Game of the Week: Barbe vs. Central (Baton Rouge). The Buccaneers knocked off the two-time defending Class 5A state champions with a two-game sweep in the second round of the playoffs, winning 5-1 and 7-2.
Games to Watch: Newcomer Malvern Prep (Malvern, Pa.) has the chance to avenge both of its losses this week as it takes on Haverford School and Germantown Academy.
Streaks: Page County (Shenandoah, Va.) has now won 41 games in a row after beating East Rockingham 7-3 and Buffalo Gap 14-1. Tristan Gordon was 6-for-7 in the two games with seven RBI including two home runs and six RBI against Buffalo Gap.
MaxPreps Top 25 national high school baseball rankings1. (last week 1) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 22-1
Results: Defeated Dunedin 11-1, Charlotte (Punta Gorda) 14-2, Jesuit (Tampa) 16-2.
Stats: Trey Yunger was 3-for-4 with a double and a home run against Dunedin.
Brennan Malone go the win, striking out five.
Will Bartlett was 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI against Charlotte. Malone got the win against Jesuit while Yunger and
Rece Hinds each had two hits and three RBI in the win.
This week: St. Petersburg on Wednesday, Canterbury (Fort Myers) on Friday.
2. (2) Argyle (Texas), 29-1-1
Results: Defeated South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie) 9-7, Springtown 11-1, Krum 9-0.
Stats: Brenden Dixon and
Chad Ricker both had doubles against Springtown. Ricker also struck out 13 in the win over Krum.
This week: Bi-district play against Stephenville.
3. (4) Georgetown (Texas), 30-2-1
Results: Defeated Rouse (Leander) 13-1 and 6-5.
Stats: Jack Brinley,
Jared Pierce and
Ryan Courtney combined for a five-inning no-hitter in the first game.
This week: Bi-district play against Pflugerrville Weiss.
4. (5) Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas), 29-2
Results: Defeated Grapevine 7-3 and 12-3. Topped Flower Mound 8-3 in a non-district game.
Stats: Logan Britt,
Mason Greer and
Bobby Witt Jr. each had home runs in the first game. Britt,
Nick Balsano and
Chandler Freeman all hit homers in the second win. Britt added a grand slam against Flower Mound.
This week: Bi-district play against Denton Ryan.
5. (6) Lake Travis (Austin, Texas), 27-2
Results: Defeated Hays (Buda) 10-0 and Anderson (Austin) 9-0.
Stats: Jimmy Lewis threw a five-inning no-hitter against Hays and
Brett Baty was 2-for-3 with a triple and a home run and two RBI. Three pitchers combined for a no-hitter against Anderson, while Lewis was 3-for-4 with a double and a triple and five RBI. Baty added a triple.
This week: Bi-district play against Smithson Valley.
6. (7) Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 25-4
Results: Defeated Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 6-1, 6-0, 4-2.
Stats: Jasiah Dixon was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI in the first game,
Garrett Frechette went 2-for-3 with two RBI in the second game and Dixon had a double and a home run in the third game.
This week: Southern Section playoffs.
7. (9) New Hanover (Wilmington, N.C.), 18-1
Results: Defeated E.A. Laney (Wilmington) 11-0 and Topsail (Hampstead) 7-5.
Stats: Blake Walston raised his record to 8-0 with a win over Laney, striking out eight. He also went 3-for-3 with two RBI while
Kyle Smith was 2-for-2 with a double and four RBI. Walston was 3-for-4 against Topsail.
This week: Ashley (Wilmington) on Tuesday, Hoggard (Wilmington) on Thursday.
8. (10) Cypress (Calif.), 26-3
Results: Defeated Crean Lutheran 6-0 and 6-0.
Stats: Cameron Repetti threw a shutout in the first game with six strikeouts while
Tyler Chaffee and
Mike Marsh each had a home run. Repetti was 4-for-4 with a double in the second game.
This week: Southern Section playoffs.
9. (11) DeSoto Central (Southaven, Miss.), 28-2
Results: Defeated Warren Central 5-3 and 14-7 in second round of Class 6A playoffs.
Stats: Alex Frillman hit a home run in the first game and
Blaze Jordan was 3-for-5 with a double in the second game.
This week: Plays winner of Oxford-Madison Central matchup.
10. (12) Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.), 25-3
Results: Defeated Skyline 13-6 in Class 6A playoffs.
Stats: Sean Rimmer was 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and six RBI while Dallas Wise had a double and a triple.
This week: Red Mountain on Tuesday.
11. (13) Blanchard (Okla.), 33-0
Results: Defeated Dale 12-2, Cache 13-0, Weatherford 8-7 and Mustang 3-0.
Stats: Payton Miller had two home runs, while
Bryce Madron and
Jack Kiker each had one against Dale. Miller added another home run against Cache, while Madron had two and Kiker had one against Weatherford.
This week: Enid on Monday.
12. (16) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 21-1
Results: Defeated Dougherty Valley (San Ramon) 14-3, Monte Vista (Danville) 3-2, Whitney (Rocklin) 10-3.
Stats: Chris Santiago had a home run and four RBI and
Blake Burke had a home run against Dougherty Valley.
Keoni Coloma went 2-for-3 against Monte Vista.
Jared Amigh was 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI against Whitney.
This week: San Ramon Valley (Danville) on Wednesday, California (San Ramon) on Friday.
Jac Croom, New Hanover
File photo by Alik McIntosh
Results: Lost to Tomball Memorial 8-5, defeated Tomball Memorial 2-0.
Stats:
Colton Owen was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in the loss while
Jake Hymel was 3-for-3 in the win.
This week: Bi-district play against Hendrickson
14. (20) Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), 30-2
Results: Defeated Maryville 14-4, Bearden 4-3, Heritage 4-1 and Pigeon Forge 8-2.
Stats: Ashton King had a home run against Bearden. Cooper Mashburn, Hunter Merrick and
Parker Noland all had home runs against Maryville.
This week: Christian Academy of Knoxville on Monday.
15. (21) Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.), 33-4
Results: Defeated Southwood 13-0 in first round of Class 5A playoffs. Defeated Denham Springs 12-0 and 12-2 in second round.
Stats: Kyle Bartley was 2-for-2 with a double and a triple and three RBI against Southwood.
Hunter Goatreaux was 2-for-4 with four RBI in the first win over Denham Springs.
Cameron Meeks was 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI in the second win.
This week: Third round of playoffs against winner of St. Amant-Destrehan matchup.
16. (22) Barbe (Lake Charles, La.), 32-3
Results: Defeated Chalmette 5-0 in first round of Class 5A playoffs. Beat Central (Baton Rouge) 5-1 and 7-2.
Stats: Carter Quinn was 2-for-3 against Central in the first win while
Kyle Debarge had a double and three RBI in the second game.
This week: Plays winner of Live Oak-Acadiana matchup.
17. (14) Benedictine (Richmond, Va.), 21-1
Results: Defeated Highland 6-4 and Fuqua (Farmville) 8-2. Lost to Miller (Charlottesville) 9-5.
Stats: Jay Woolfolk homered against Highland while
Jamari Baylor and
Brett Allen both hit home runs against Fuqua. Allen hit a home run in the loss to Miller.
This week: Paul VI (Fairfax) on Monday, Saint John Paul the Great Catholic (Dumfries) on Tuesday, Walker Governor's (Richmond) on Thursday.
18. (18) East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.), 21-1
Results: Defeated St. Petersburg 9-0, Clearwater 8-0, lost to Palm Harbor University 3-1, beat Wesley Chapel 11-1.
Stats: Lucas Ismaili was 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI against St. Petersburg. He also added a home run against Clearwater.
Sean Murray was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI against Wesley Chapel.
This week: Palmetto on Tuesday, Tarpon Springs on Wednesday.
19. (NR) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), 23-6
Results: Lost to Harvard-Westlake 5-2, defeated Harvard-Westlake 7-5 and 5-2 to win Mission League.
Stats: Lucas Gordon was 2-for-4 with a double while
Daylen Reyes was 2-for-3 with a double in the first win.
This week: Southern Section playoffs.
20. (8) Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.), 23-5-1
Results: Defeated Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 5-2, lost 7-5 and 5-2.
Stats: George Cooper had a home run in the win,
Pete Crow-Armstrong was 2-for-3 with a double in the first loss, and
Drew Bowser was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the second loss.
This week: Southern Section playoffs.
21. (NR) Malvern Prep (Malvern, Pa.), 20-2
Results: Defeated William Penn Charter 10-1, Friends Central 5-3 and Calvert Hall 19-6.
Stats: Cam Conley went 3-for-3 with a double, triple, home run, four runs scored and seven RBI in the win over Calvert Hall.
Chris Newell had a home run and three RBI against William Penn.
This week: Haverford School on Tuesday, Perkiomen on Wednesday, Germantown Academy on Friday, Cardinal O'Hara on Saturday.
22. (17) St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.), 21-2
Results: Defeated Marmion 8-7, lost to St. Rita 8-7, beat St. Rita 4-3.
Stats: Vytas Valincius was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI against Marmion.
Matt Dornbos had three RBI in the win over St. Rita.
This week: Providence Catholic on Tuesday, Marmion on Wednesday, Brother Rice on Thursday and Saturday.
23. (NR) St. Rita (Chicago), 20-3
Results: Defeated St. Laurence 8-7, Reavis 4-0, Marmion 11-0, lost to St. Laurence 4-3.
Stats: Reed Ohlson was 2-for-2 with three RBI against Marmion,
Jalen Greer was 3-for-4 with a triple in the win over St. Laurence.
This week: Marmion on Tuesday, St. Ignatius Chicago on Wednesday, Providence Catholic on Thursday and Saturday.
24. (NR) The Woodlands (Texas), 25-5
Results: Defeated Klein Collins 2-0 and Klein Forest 8-1.
Stats: Will Swope had a one-hitter with seven strikeouts against Klein Collins.
Cameron Caley had a home run against Klein Forest while
Zach Escovedo and
Drew Romo had a double and a home run each.
This week: Bi-district play against McArthur.
25. (NR) Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), 28-4
Results: Defeated Peachtree Ridge 2-1 and 6-0 in first round of AAAAAAA playoffs.
Stats: Stephen Hrustich had a home run in the first game and two more in the second game.
This week: North Forsyth in second round.
