| |
|
| |
O'Dowd Baseball Rankings from Media Polls
BAY AREA RANKINGS
|
DATE |
ANG NEWSPAPERS |
SF CHRONICLE |
CONTRA COSTA TIMES |
SPORTSFOCUS |
CAL-HI SPORTS BAY AREA |
SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE BAY AREA |
|
FINAL |
#3 |
- |
- |
#4 |
#5 |
#1 |
|
5/31/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
5/24/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
5/16/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
5/09/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
5/02/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
4/25/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
4/19/05 |
#2 |
#1 |
#4 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
4/12/05 |
#1 |
#2 |
#7 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
|
4/5/05 |
#1 |
#3 |
#10 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
STATE AND NATIONAL RANKINGS
| DATE |
Cal-Hi Sports Div III State |
Cal-Hi Sports Northern Calif * |
Cal-Hi Sports State |
Perfect Game State Ranking |
BaseballAmerica
National Top 50 |
FAB
50
National
Ranking |
School Sports National Top 25 |
|
FINAL |
#1 |
#8 |
#15 |
#15 |
#17 |
NM |
#18 |
|
5/31/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#2 |
#7 |
#6 |
#5 |
|
5/24/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#2 |
#11 |
#6 |
#5 |
|
5/16/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#1 |
#2 |
#11 |
#6 |
#6 |
|
5/09/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#3 |
#2 |
#12 |
#21 |
#6 |
|
5/02/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#4 |
#2 |
#12 |
#22 |
#6 |
|
4/25/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#4 |
#4 |
#22 |
#25 |
#9 |
|
4/20/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#5 |
#8 |
#22 |
#31 |
#13 |
|
4/12/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#6 |
#20 |
NM |
NM |
#15 |
|
4/07/05 |
#1 |
#1 |
#7 |
NM |
NM |
NM |
#17 | * Does not include the Central Section (Fresno Area)
Dragons are 2005 Div III
State Champions
Division III
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 25-1
2. (6) Ocean View (Huntington Beach) 25-5
3. (5) Temecula Valley (Temecula) 25-6
4. (2) La Quinta (Westminster) 27-5
5. (9) Buhach Colony (Atwater) 25-6
6. (nr) Miramonte (Orinda) 22-5
7. (10) Serrano (Phelan) 21-1-1
8. (nr) University (San Diego) 21-12
9. (3) Valhalla (El Cajon) 23-8
10. (4) Campolindo (Moraga) 20-5
11. Gahr (Cerritos) 23-6
12. Oakdale 23-7
13. Casa Grande (Petaluma) 18-9
14. Petaluma 25-2
15. El Segundo 24-9
16. Charter Oak (Covina) 24-5-1
17. Colony (Ontario) 21-6
18. Coronado 21-12
19. Mission Bay (San Diego) 23-10
20. Palm Desert 23-4
 | | The Big 3 for the Dragons |
2001 Theme
O'Dowd finishes #17 in Country after Excellent Season
Previous
Ranking Final School (City) State Record Points
1 1 Russell County HS, Seale AL 38-1 300
2 2 Nova HS, Davie FL 30-1 284
3 3 Brownsburg HS IN 35-0 280
4 4 Chaparral HS, Scottsdale AZ 31-3 257
5 5 Florida Christian, Miami FL 29-2 239
6 6 Millard North HS, Omaha NE 35-0 233
7 7 Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego CA 31-5 231
8 8 Elder HS, Cinncinnati OH 28-1 208
9 9 Sarasota HS FL 28-1 205
10 10 Moody HS, Corpus Christi TX 33-3 198
12 11 Kingwood TX 35-6 191
13 12 Mills Godwin HS, Richmond VA 23-1 186
14 13 Tate HS, Gonzales FL 28-2 165
15 14 Jesuit HS, New Orleans LA 34-5 157
16 15 La Cueva, Albuquerque NM 28-1 143
17 16 Niwot, Longmont CO 27-1 134
18 17 Bishop O'Dowd HS, Oakland CA 25-1 125
19 18 Calvert Hall HS, Towson MD 31-1 113
20 19 Madison Central HS MS 31-2 99
11 20 Pioneer HS, Ann Arbor MI 41-2 98
21 21 Clovis West HS CA 27-4 97
22 22 Richland HS WA 26-2 92
23 23 Chattahoochee HS, Alphaetta GA 32-4 79
24 24 Lockport IL 40-3 75
25 25 Archbishop Mitty HS, San Jose CA 28-6 68
26 26 Houston Christian HS TX 36-3 66
27 27 The Woodlands HS TX 28-6 54
28 28 Northwest Rankin HS, Brandon MS 36-3 51
29 29 Central Private, Baker LA 38-1 49
30 30 Punahou HS, Honolulu HI 34-3 46
31 31 Seton Hall Prep, West Orange NJ 30-2 45
32 32 Lyons Township, La Grange IL 35-4 42
33 33 Bellarmine College Prep, San Jose CA 34-5 38
34 34 Poway HS CA 28-6 34
35 35 Catalina Foothills HS, Tucso AZ 32-3 32
36 36 Flower Mound HS TX 27-6 31
37 37 Key West FL 25-5 27
38 38 Buchanan HS, Clovis CA 25-6 25
39 39 Hickman HS, Columbia MO 28-2 23
40 40 Calallen HS, Corpus Cristi TX 37-4 22
41 41 T.C. Roberson HS. Asheville NC 22-3 20
42 42 Monsignor Pace HS, Opa Locka FL 21-5 18
43 43 Houston HS, Germantown TN 36-8 16
44 44 Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas NV 34-5 15
45 45 Chatsworth HS CA 29-4 14
46 46 St. John's HS, Washington DC DC 22-3 12
47 47 Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana CA 24-8 10
49 48 Tunstall HS, Dry Fork VA 26-1 8
50 49 Parkview Baptist, Baton Rouge LA 30-5 7
nr 50 Wilmington HS IL 41-1 6
6/12 5/29 Team Record Points
1 1 Russell County HS, Seale, Ala. 38-1 300
2 4 Nova HS, Fort Lauderdale 30-1 284
3 5 *Brownsburg (Ind.) HS 34-0 280
4 6 Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. 31-3 257
5 8 Florida Christian HS, Miami 29-2 239
6 9 Millard North HS, Omaha 35-0 233
7 11 Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego 31-5 231
8 12 Elder HS, Cincinnati 28-1 208
9 10 Sarasota (Fla.) HS 28-1 205
10 2 Moody HS, Corpus Christi, Texas 33-3 198
11 13 *Pioneer HS, Ann Arbor, Mich. 39-1 196
12 22 Kingwood (Texas) HS 35-6 191
13 3 Mills Godwin HS, Richmond 23-1 186
14 17 Tate HS, Gonzalez, Fla. 28-2 165
15 18 Jesuit HS, New Orleans 34-5 157
16 19 La Cueva HS, Albuquerque 28-1 143
17 21 Niwot HS, Longmont, Colo. 27-1 134
18 7 Bishop O’Dowd HS, Oakland 25-1 125
19 24 Calvert Hall HS, Towson, Md. 31-1 113
20 23 Central HS, Madison, Miss. 31-2 99
21 14 Clovis (Calif.) West HS 27-4 97
22 32 Richland (Wash.) HS 26-2 92
23 44 Chattahoochee HS, Alpharetta, Ga. 32-4 79
24 -- Lockport (Ill.) HS 40-3 75
25 -- Archbishop Mitty HS, San Jose 28-6 68
26 27 Houston Christian HS 36-3 66
27 28 The Woodlands (Texas) HS 28-6 54
28 29 Northwest Rankin HS, Brandon, Miss. 36-3 51
29 30 Central Private HS, Baker, La. 38-1 49
30 31 Punahou HS, Honolulu 34-3 46
31 43 Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J. 30-2 45
32 15 Lyons Township HS, La Grange, Ill. 35-4 42
33 26 Bellarmine College Prep, San Jose 34-5 38
34 16 Poway (Calif.) HS 28-6 34
35 33 Catalina Foothills HS, Tucson 32-3 32
36 34 Flower Mound (Texas) HS 27-6 31
37 36 Key West (Fla.) HS 25-5 27
38 -- Buchanan HS, Clovis, Calif. 25-6 25
39 -- Hickman HS, Columbia, Mo. 28-2 23
40 -- Calallen HS, Corpus Christi, Texas 37-4 22
41 37 T.C. Roberson HS, Asheville, N.C. 22-3 20
42 38 Monsignor Pace HS, Opa Locka, Fla. 21-5 18
43 -- Houston HS, Germantown, Tenn. 36-8 16
44 39 Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas 34-5 15
45 41 Chatsworth (Calif.) HS 29-4 14
46 42 St. John’s HS, Washington, D.C. 22-3 12
47 -- Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif. 24-8 10
48 25 *Deering HS, Portland, Me. 17-2 9
49 -- Tunstall HS, Dry Fork, Va. 23-1 7
50 46 Parkview Baptist HS, Baton Rouge, La. 30-5 6
DROPPED OUT: No. 20 Collierville, Tenn., HS (37-6); No. 35 Poly HS, Riverside, Calif. (26-4); No. 40 La Quinta HS, Westminster, Calif. (27-5); No. 45 Lumberton, N.C., HS (26-3); No. 47 Tulsa Union HS (35-8); No. 48 Arlington Heights HS, Fort Worth, Texas (37-4); No. 49 Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La. (34-5); No. 50 Cretin-Derham Hall (20-3).
O'Dowd Finishes Season In National Top 25
Champion Presents: Final Baseball Top 25
Russell County (Ala.) star Colby Rasmus
By Jon Mahoney
Date: Jun 21, 2005
The 2005 baseball season is complete and Russell County (Ala.) finishes atop the National Top 25. Find out where everyone else ranks in the final installment of the baseball Top 25.
Final 2005 Rankings
1. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) – (38-1) *1
Russell County earned its first state title with a sweep of Pinson Valley. The Warriors won the first game, 5-1, and the second game, 7-0. Cory Rasmus went the distance for the Warriors in the second game, striking out 10. Rasmus’ brother, Colby, an Auburn recruit, was named Gatorade state Player of the Year after he batted .484 with 24 homers and 66 RBI. Russell County finishes No. 1 in the Top 25.
Preseason Ranking: No. 4
2. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) – (35-0) *2
The Bulldogs became just the second unbeaten state champion in state history when they defeated Evansville North, 6-4, in the Class 4A final. Senior pitcher Lance Lynn picked up the win, striking out 12 without walking a batter. Senior outfielder Sean Veza had a homer among his three hits.
Preseason Ranking: No. 15
3. Nova (Davie, Fla.) – (30-1) *3
Nova became the first Broward County team to win consecutive state titles with a 3-0 blanking of Tampa Gaither in the Class 5A final. For the Titans, it was their 15th shutout of the season and it allowed the pitching staff to finish with an amazing team ERA of 0.92. Junior right-hander Donnie Amos pitched six scoreless innings of two-hit ball and struck out five for the win. Amos also drove in two runs. Senior right-hander Pablo Lopez pitched a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Wolfson in the semifinals. Lopez finished the year 15-1 and went 28-2 over his last two seasons.
Preseason Ranking: No. 8
4. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) – (25-1) *4
Niwot had its 45-game winning streak snapped in a 4-3 loss to Pueblo South in the Class 4A state championship series. The streak tied Eaton for the longest winning streak in state history. However, it was the Cougars’ first loss of the double-elimination tournament and they were able to get some revenge with a 7-0 shutout of Pueblo South in the state final. For the Cougars, it was their second straight state title and fifth in the last eight years. Senior left-hander Sean Ratliff capped his career by hurling a two-hit shutout, while striking out 14 and walking only one. He helped his own cause by going 4-for-4 at the plate.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
5. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) – (29-2) *5
Florida Christian captured its second consecutive state title with a 7-5 victory over Arlington Country Day in the Class 2A final. Mitch Walker went the distance for the victory. The Patriots finished the season with a 26-game winning streak.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
6. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – (31-3) *6
The Firebirds set a state record by winning their third consecutive Class 4A state title with a 10-0 victory over then-No. 23 Catalina Foothills in six innings. It was Chaparral’s fifth state title in seven years. The Firebirds won all four of their tournament games by 10-run mercy rules. Ike Davis and Charlie Brewer combined for the shutout and Jason Jarvis went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Preseason Ranking: No. 9
7. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) – (36-3) *8
Northwest Rankin swept Gulfport, 6-3 and 5-4, in the Class 5A state championship finals. It was the first state title for the Cougars. In the series clincher, sophomore reliever Ben Wylie struck out two in the seventh inning, including a game-ending punchout with the bases loaded.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
8. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) – (28-1) *9
The Bears picked up their third straight state title with a 6-5 win in eight innings over Eldorado in the Class 5A final. Seth Johnson scored the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning on a passed ball.
Preseason Ranking: No. 24
9. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) – (28-1) *10
Matt Klausing pitched a completed game, three-hit shutout in Elder’s 3-0 win over Toledo Start in the Division I state championship. It was the Panthers’ state-record 12th state title overall. Elder has won a state title in every decade since the 1940s.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
10. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) – (35-0) *11
Millard North capped off an undefeated season with a 10-6 win over Omaha Westside in the state championship game. The Mustangs finished with the first unbeaten season in Nebraska since Omaha Northwest in 1984. Jason Jewell, an Illinois recruit, had three homers and 13 RBI in the tournament.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
11. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) – (36-3) *12
Houston Christian defeated Second Baptist, 11-3, in the TAPPS 5A state championship. The Mustangs had lost to Second Baptist in the TAPPS 4A state title game last year.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
12. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.) – (31-5) *13
Rancho Bernardo defeated Granite Hills, 8-2, in the CIF San Diego Section Division I championship. It was the Broncos’ fourth Division I title since 1999. Senior Brian Wilson pitched a four-hitter and helped his own cause by going 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, two runs scored and two RBI.
Preseason Ranking: No. 3
13. St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) – (24-3) *14
St. John’s defeated Paul VI Catholic, 4-0, to win its second Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in the past six years.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
14. Calvert Hall (Towson, Md.) – (31-1) *15
Calvert Hall won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title with a 12-2 victory in six innings over Mount St. Joseph. Junior catcher Joe Velleggia had three hits, including two homers, while senior right-hander and Virginia Tech recruit Rob Waskiewicz scattered four hits to finish the season 10-0.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
15. Richland (Richland, Wash.) – (26-2) *16
Senior Tyler Cheney, a Washington recruit, slugged a two-run homer in the fourth inning to help Richland edge Skyline, 2-1, in the Class 4A state championship. It was Richland’s first state title.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
16. Lockport (Lockport, Ill.) – (40-3) *17
The Porters beat Mount Carmel, 8-4, in the Class AA state championship. Senior outfielder Eric Sternberg tied a state tournament record with 10 RBI during the tourney. He finished with a school-record 59 RBI on the season. Meanwhile, senior catcher Nick Mitidiero finished the year with a Class AA record batting average of .618.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
17. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) – (23-1) *18
Mills Godwin had its hopes of an undefeated season ended in a 1-0 loss to Midlothian in the regional semifinals. The Eagles stay in the Top 25 based on a season in which they won their first 22 games.
Preseason Ranking: No. 21
18. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – (25-1) *19
The Dragons lost to Monte Vista, 10-7, in the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay quarterfinals. Bishop O’Dowd remains in the Top 25 thanks to a remarkable season in which it earned its first undefeated regular season (23-0) in school history while capturing its third straight Hayward Area Athletic League title.
Preseason Ranking: No. 25
19. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – (41-2-1) *7
Senior Zach Putnam gave up just two hits and struck out nine, but it wasn’t enough as the Pioneers fell to Sterling Heights Stevenson, 2-0, in the Division 1 state championship. Still, Pioneer, which won the Division 1 state title in 2004, finishes in the Top 25 because it was able to make it all the way back to the state final even with a bull’s eye on its back
Preseason Ranking: No. 12
20. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) – (33-3-1) *20
Moody’s quest for a second straight state title was ended in a 1-0 loss to Smithson Valley in the Class 5A Region IV final. The Trojans were the favorites to repeat as state champions. Still, the Trojans strong season overall keeps them in the Top 25.
Preseason Ranking: No. 2
21. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) – (28-1) *21
The Sailors had their hopes of an undefeated season and a state championship ended thanks to a 6-2 loss to Palm Beach Central in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals. Despite the loss, Sarasota remained in the Top 25 after a terrific season in which the Sailors won their first 28 games.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
22. Wilmington (Wilmington, Ill.) – (41-1) *22
Wilmington won its second state title in the past three years with a 12-0 victory in five innings over Montini in the Class A state championship. Senior right-hander and Illinois recruit Tanner Roark pitched a two-hitter and struck out seven.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
23. Kingwood (Humble, Texas) – (35-6-1) *23
Critics may ask how a team with six losses can finish in the Top 25, but we answer with the fact Kingwood captured a state title in the highest classification of one of the most competitive baseball areas in the country. Kingwood defeated Rockwall, 10-5, in the Class 5A final as Kenneth Negron drove in four runs, including three on a triple, and was named tournament MVP.
Preseason Ranking: No. 23
24. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) – (25-6) *24
Buchanan dominated then-No. 22 Clovis West, 8-1, in the CIF Central Section Division I championship. It was Buchanan’s first baseball title in school history. Justin Wilson pitched a complete game, striking out eight.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
25. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) – (32-3) *25
Catalina Foothills lost to new No. 10 Chaparral in the Class 4A state championship. It was the second straight year the Falcons lost to Chaparral in the state title game. Catalina Foothills didn’t drop from the rankings because it tied a Class 4A state record this season with 32 wins while advancing to the state title game.
Preseason Ranking: Not ranked
Champion Presents: Baseball Top 25
Zach Putnam leads No. 7 Pioneer (Mich.)
By Jon Mahoney
Date: Jun 6, 2005
In this week's National Top 25, Elder (Ohio) moved up to No. 10 after it earned its 12th state title overall. Meanwhile, Moody (Texas) dropped from No. 2 to No. 20 after the Trojans lost in the Class 5A Region IV final.
Rankings as of June 6, 2005
1. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) – (38-1) *1
Russell County earned its first state title with a sweep of Pinson Valley. The Warriors won the first game, 5-1, and the second game, 7-0. Cory Rasmus went the distance for the Warriors in the second game, striking out 10. Rasmus’ brother, Colby, an Auburn recruit, was named Gatorade state Player of the Year after he batted .484 with 24 homers and 66 RBI. Russell County finishes No. 1 in the Top 25.
SEASON OVER
2. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) – (31-0) *4
The Bulldogs edged Ben Davis, 4-3, in the Avon Sectional championship thanks to a two-run double by senior center fielder Sean Veza. Brownsburg will host Harrison in the Class 4A regionals.
3. Nova (Davie, Fla.) – (30-1) *6
Nova became the first Broward County team to win consecutive state titles with a 3-0 blanking of Tampa Gaither in the Class 5A final. For the Titans, it was their 15th shutout of the season and it allowed the pitching staff to finish with an amazing team ERA of 0.92. Junior right-hander Donnie Amos pitched six scoreless innings of two-hit ball and struck out five for the win. Amos also drove in two runs. Senior right-hander Pablo Lopez pitched a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Wolfson in the semifinals. Lopez finished the year 15-1 and went 28-2 over his last two seasons.
SEASON OVER
4. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) – (25-1) *7
Niwot had its 45-game winning streak snapped in a 4-3 loss to Pueblo South in the Class 4A state championship series. The streak tied Eaton for the longest winning streak in state history. However, it was the Cougars’ first loss of the double-elimination tournament and they were able to get some revenge with a 7-0 shutout of Pueblo South in the state final. For the Cougars, it was their second straight state title and fifth in the last eight years. Senior left-hander Sean Ratliff capped his career by hurling a two-hit shutout, while striking out 14 and walking only one. He helped his own cause by going 4-for-4 at the plate.
SEASON OVER
5. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) – (29-2) *8
Florida Christian captured its second consecutive state title with a 7-5 victory over Arlington Country Day in the Class 2A final. Mitch Walker went the distance for the victory. The Patriots finished the season with a 26-game winning streak.
SEASON OVER
6. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – (31-3) *9
The Firebirds set a state record by winning their third consecutive Class 4A state title with a 10-0 victory over then-No. 23 Catalina Foothills in six innings. It was Chaparral’s fifth state title in seven years. The Firebirds won all four of their tournament games by 10-run mercy rules. Ike Davis and Charlie Brewer combined for the shutout and Jason Jarvis went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
SEASON OVER
7. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – (37-1-1) *10
The Pioneers defeated Huron, 12-1, in five innings in the Division 1district championship. Senior right-hander Zach Putnam fanned 10 batters to pick up the win.
8. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) – (36-3) *11
Northwest Rankin swept Gulfport, 6-3 and 5-4, in the Class 5A state championship finals. It was the first state title for the Cougars. In the series clincher, sophomore reliever Ben Wylie struck out two in the seventh inning, including a game-ending punchout with the bases loaded.
SEASON OVER
9. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) – (28-1) *12
The Bears picked up their third straight state title with a 6-5 win in eight innings over Eldorado in the Class 5A final. Seth Johnson scored the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning on a passed ball. The Bears set a national record this season by winning their 69th consecutive game (the streak was snapped at 70).
SEASON OVER
10. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) – (28-1) *13
Matt Klausing pitched a completed game, three-hit shutout in Elder’s 3-0 win over Toledo Start in the Division I state championship. It was the Panthers’ state-record 12th state title overall. Elder has won a state title in every decade since the 1940s.
SEASON OVER
11. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) – (35-0) *14
Millard North capped off an undefeated season with a 10-6 win over Omaha Westside in the state championship game. The Mustangs finished with the first unbeaten season in Nebraska since Omaha Northwest in 1984. Jason Jewell, an Illinois recruit, had three homers and 13 RBI in the tournament.
SEASON OVER
12. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) – (36-3) *15
Houston Christian defeated Second Baptist, 11-3, in the TAPPS 5A state championship. The Mustangs had lost to Second Baptist in the TAPPS 4A state title game last year.
SEASON OVER
13. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.) – (31-5) *16
Rancho Bernardo defeated Granite Hills, 8-2, in the CIF San Diego Section Division I championship. It was the Broncos’ fourth Division I title since 1999. Senior Brian Wilson pitched a four-hitter and helped his own cause by going 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, two runs scored and two RBI.
SEASON OVER
14. St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) – (24-3) *17
St. John’s defeated Paul VI Catholic, 4-0, to win its second Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in the past six years.
SEASON OVER
15. Calvert Hall (Towson, Md.) – (31-1) *18
Calvert Hall won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title with a 12-2 victory in six innings over Mount St. Joseph. Junior catcher Joe Velleggia had three hits, including two homers, while senior right-hander and Virginia Tech recruit Rob Waskiewicz scattered four hits to finish the season 10-0.
SEASON OVER
16. Richland (Richland, Wash.) – (26-2) *NR
Senior Tyler Cheney, a Washington recruit, slugged a two-run homer in the fourth inning to help Richland edge Skyline, 2-1, in the Class 4A state championship. It was Richland’s first state title
SEASON OVER
17. Lyons Township (La Grange, Ill.) – (35-3) *NR
Lyons defeated Nazareth, 7-0, in five innings in the Reavis sectional final. Dan Weston earned the victory by striking out eight over five innings, while Dan Brewer had a double, a homer and three RBI.
18. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) – (23-1) *3
Mills Godwin had its hopes of an undefeated season ended in a 1-0 loss to Midlothian in the regional semifinals. The Eagles stay in the Top 25 based on a season in which they won their first 22 games.
SEASON OVER
19. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – (25-1) *5
The Dragons lost to Monte Vista, 10-7, in the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay quarterfinals. Bishop O’Dowd remains in the Top 25 thanks to a remarkable season in which it earned its first undefeated regular season (23-0) in school history while capturing its third straight Hayward Area Athletic League title.
SEASON OVER
20. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) – (33-3-1) *2
Moody’s quest for a second straight state title was ended in a 1-0 loss to Smithson Valley in the Class 5A Region IV final. The Trojans were the favorites to repeat as state champions. Still, the Trojans strong season overall keeps them in the Top 25.
SEASON OVER
21. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) – (28-1) *23
The Sailors had their hopes of an undefeated season and a state championship ended thanks to a 6-2 loss to Palm Beach Central in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals. Despite the loss, Sarasota remained in the Top 25 after a terrific season in which the Sailors won their first 28 games.
SEASON OVER
22. Wilmington (Wilmington, Ill.) – (41-1) *NR
Wilmington won its second state title in the past three years with a 12-0 victory in five innings over Montini in the Class A state championship. Senior right-hander and Illinois recruit Tanner Roark pitched a two-hitter and struck out seven.
SEASON OVER
23. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) – (25-6) *24
Buchanan dominated then-No. 22 Clovis West, 8-1, in the CIF Central Section Division I championship. It was Buchanan’s first baseball title in school history. Justin Wilson pitched a complete game, striking out eight.
SEASON OVER
24. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) – (32-3) *25
Catalina Foothills lost to new No. 10 Chaparral in the Class 4A state championship. It was the second straight year the Falcons lost to Chaparral in the state title game. Catalina Foothills didn’t drop from the rankings because it tied a Class 4A state record this season with 32 wins while advancing to the state title game.
SEASON OVER
25. Deering (Deering, Maine) – (17-2) *20
The Rams lost to Portland, 5-2, in the regular season finale, but rebounded to the win the Telegram League title with a 6-0 victory over Westbrook in which Jeff Skillin struck out five and scattered three hits over six innings.
Dropped Out:
No. 19 Arlington Heights (Fort Worth, Texas) – (37-4)
No. 21 Riverside Poly (Riverside, Calif.) – (26-4)
No. 22 James Monroe (Bronx, N.Y.) – (31-2)
* previous ranking
FAB 50 Released
June 2, 2005
Nova FAB 50 Nat'l Champs
Doug Huff
StudentSportsBaseball.com Senior Editor
Contributors: Mark Tennis, Sheldon Shealer and Andrew Drennen
Note: Won-Loss Records through May 28; previous ranking in parentheses.
1. Nova (Davie, Fla.) 30-1 (1)
The Titans wrapped up a second straight state Class 5A title, not to mention the FAB 50 national crown, last week. Nova blanked Tampa Gaither, 3-0, in the state finals to become the first Broward County team to post back-to-back 30-win seasons. Donald Amos (9-0) and
William Block combined on a two-hitter for Nova's 15th shutout of the season. Amos helped his own cause with a two-run double in the sixth inning. In the semifinals, Nova advanced with a 1-0 win over Jacksonville Wolfson despite not having a hit.
2. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) 38-1 (2)
Season complete. State Class 5A champion.
3. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) 33-2-1 (3)
The Trojans continued their quest to repeat as state Class 5A champion by blanking McAllen by 7-0 and 2-0 to sweep the regional semfinals. Robert Robles belted a two-run homer in the first inning to decide the clincher. Senior lefthander Jason Rodriguez hurled a two hitter with 12 strikeouts. Moody, top-ranked in the state coaches' poll but not mentioned in the USA Today rankings all year so far, faces Smithson Valley this week in the regional finals.
4. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) 29-2 (4)
The Patriots captured their second straight state Class 2A title by winning their 26th straight game, 7-5, over Arlington Country Day of Jacksonville in the finals. The Patriots became the sixth Dade County team to win back-to-back titles as the county won at least one crown for the 10th straight year. The Patriots scored six runs in the third frame for a 7-0 lead and held on behind the pitching of Mitch Walker. In the semifinals, the Patriots rallied for a final inning 3-2 victory over Port St. Joe.
5. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 31-3 (5)
Season complete. The Firebirds won their third straight Class 4A state title three weeks ago with a dominant 10-0 win over nationally-ranked Catalina Foothills.
6. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 25-0 (6)
Coach Joel Kaufman's squad played Monte Vista of Danville (19-5-1) on
Wednesday in the CIF North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay semifinals. O'Dowd stayed perfect with earlier playoff wins of 5-1 vs. Arroyo of San Loranzo and 3-2 over Berkeley. The Dragons are hoping to become the first team from the San Francisco East Bay region to be No. 1 in California since1983.
7. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) 28-0 (7)
The Bulldogs capped an unbeaten regular season with a 4-1 victory over
Connersville. Lance Lynn hurled the victory while Gary King went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs batted in. Brownsburg opens sectional tournament play this week vs. Zionsville and will be bidding to become only the second unbeaten state champion in Indiana history. The first was Evansville Memorial in 1978.
8. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) 35-0 (8)
Season complete. State Class A champion.
9. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) 22-0 (9)
Pitching-strong Mills Godwin was tested last week, rallying for an 8-6 victory over Hermitage for the Capital District title. Hermitage scored three runs in the top of the first inning before the state's No. 1 ranked team countered with five in the bottom of the first en route to the victory. Scott Reel went 2-for-3] with a home run. Mills Godwin is the No. 1 seed in this week's Central Region tournament.
10. Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.) 20-3 (10)
The Trojans advanced to this week's state Class AAAA semifinals with a sweep of a best-of-three series vs. East Paulding by scores of 2-1 and 10-5. Lee County takes on Evans in the semifinals. The other semifinal matches Henry County and Heritage.
11. Poly (Riverside, Calif.) 25-3 (16)
If Bishop O'Dowd suffers a loss in this week's North Coast Section playoffs, the next team in line to be No. 1 in California is the Bears. They've already won this week, too, by 3-2 over El Dorado of Placentia in the Southern Section Div. I semis and will play Mater
Dei of Santa Ana (23-8) on Saturday night in the finals at Angels Stadium.
12. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) 28-1 (12)
Season complete. State Class 5A champion third year in row.
13. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) 34-1-1 (13)
The Pioneers captured the Bluewater Diamond Classic last week by downing Port Huron, 12-3, in the title game. The tournament MVP was shortstop-pitcher Zach Putnam, who had 19 runs batted in during the four wins. In the finals, Putnam went 2-for-3 with a double and triple.
14. James Monroe (Bronx, N.Y.) 30-1 (14)
New York's No. 1 ranked team routed Francis Lewis, 10-0, in a PSAL A first round playoff game last week as Manuel Sanchez pitched a one-hitter. Pedro Guzman and Juan Arroyo each had a pair of RBI.
15. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) 26-1 (15)
Ohio's No. 1 ranked team advanced to this week's state Division 1 Final
Four with a 6-4 win over Dublin Coffman in the regional tournament finals. Charlie Leesman struck out 11 in the win. Marty Kersting and Alex LaGreca belted home runs. The Panthers take on Mentor (27-4) in the semifinals.
16. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) 36-3 (19)
Season complete. State Class 5A private school champion.
17. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) 36-3 (20)
Season complete. State Class 5A champion.
18. Calvert Hall (Towson, Md.) 31-1 (21)
Virginia Tech recruit Rob Waskiewicz tossed a four-hitter as Calvert Hall completed one of the most dominating seasons in Maryland history with a 12-2 victory over defending champion Mount St. Joseph in the MIAA A Conference final. Setting a state record for season victories, Calvert Hall belted 20 hits including two home runs by Joe Velleggia, who had 11 on the season. Calvert Hall ended the season with 31 straight wins following a season-opening loss to Moore Catholic (N.Y.).
19. El Camino Real (Woodland Hills, Calif.) 28-4* (40)
Eric Pettis retired 17 straight batters in one stretch of pitching to lead the Conquistadors past two-time defending champ Chatsworth, 5-1, in the CIF L.A. City Section title game last Saturday at Dodger Stadium. It was the third win of the year against one loss for El Camino Real over
Chatsworth, which was 35-0 last season and was No. 1 in every national poll.
20. Lyons (La Grange, Ill.) 33-3 (27)
The top-ranked Illinois team advanced to this week's Class AA supersectional with a 19-2 sectional semifinal rout of Proviso East. Lyons will face Reavis (20-14) this week.
21. Chattahoochie (Alpharetta, Ga.) 31-3 (28)
The Cougars continue to impress in the state Class AAAAA playoffs. Last week, they swept Coffee 7-0 and 15-1 to advance to this week's state semifinals. They will face Kennesaw Mountain in the best-of-three series.
22. Tate (Cantonment, Fla.) 28-2 (38)
Tate ended the season with 14 straight wins and the state Class 4A title. In the finals, Tate made Winter Haven the runnerup for the second straight year with a 5-3 victory. In the semifinals. Tate routed Okeechobee by 11-2.
23. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.) 27-5 (nr)
After trailing Poway and Fallbrook in the local San Diego rankings for most of the season, the Broncos entered this week's semifinal round of the CIF San Diego Section Div. I double-elimination playoffs with a 2-0 postseason record. The most significant of those two wins was 13-6 over Fallbrook as the Broncos pounded out four home runs, including a grand slam by first baseman Allan Dykstra.
24. Boerne (Boerne, Texas) 29-5 (nr)
The defending state Class 4A champion Greyhounds advanced to the Region finals this week and will face FAB 50 ranked Corpus Christi Calallen in a repeat of last season's regional finals. Earlier in the year, the two teams split decisions. Last week, Boerne ousted San Antonio South, 6-1, in the regional semifinals.
25. Key West (Key West, Fla.) 25-5 (nr)
The Conchs captured their 11th state baseball title by blanking Orlando Bishop Moore, 7-0, in the state Class 3A title game. Appearing in its 13th state final, Key West scored all seven runs in the first inning and rode the right arm of pitcher Daryl Lewis, who allowed four hits. In the semifinals, Chas Spotwood hurled a no-hitter in a 9-0 blanking of Pensacola Catholic.
THE NEXT 25:
26. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) 28-1 (26)
27. Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) 34-2-1 (29)
28. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) 29-4 (22)
29. Kingwood (Humble, Texas) 33-5 (31)
30. Jesuit (New Orleans, La.) 34-5 (30)
31. Lumberton (Lumberton, N.C.) 26-1 (nr)
32. Lakewood (Hebron, Ohio) 30-2 (nr)
33. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) 32-2 (34)
34. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas) 33-4 (nr)
35. Tulsa Union (Tulsa, Okla.) 35-8 (35)
36. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) 27-6 (36)
37. Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) 25-6 (nr)
38. Houston (Germantown, Tenn.) 36-8 (nr)
39. North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.) 20-2 (41)
40. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) 26-2 (44)
41. West Linn (West Linn, Ore.) 26-3 (nr)
42. Richland (Richland, Wash.) 22-2 (nr)
43. Madison Central (Madison, Miss.) 31-2 (43)
44. Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville, Ky.) 29-4 (nr)
45. Owasso (Owasso, Okla.) 33-6 (45)
46. Bishop Hendricken (Providence, R.I.) 18-1 (47)
47. Timpanogos (Orem, Utah) 30-3 (48)
48. Sierra Vista (Las Vegas, Nev.) 32-5 (49)
49. Borah (Boise, Idaho) 28-2 (50)
50. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) 25-1 (nr)
DROPPED OUT: Previous No. 11 Clovis West (Fresno. Calif.); No. 17 T. C.
Roberson (Asheville, N.C.); No. 18 The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas); No. 23 Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.); No. 24 Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio); No. 25 Halls (Knoxville, Tenn.); No. 32 Poway (Poway, Calif.); No. 33 Royal (Simi Valley, Calif.); No. 37 Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.); No. 39 Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.); No. 42 Collierville (Collierville, Tenn.); No. 46 Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.).
Champion Presents: Baseball Top 25
Champion Presents: Baseball Top 25
Zach Putnam leads No. 10 Pioneer (Mich.)
By Jon Mahoney
Date: May 31, 2005
There are big changes in this week’s National Baseball Top 25 as five teams, including then-No. 10 The Woodlands (Texas), dropped out after suffering defeats. New No. 18 Calvert Hall (Md.) is among the five new teams that entered the rankings.
Rankings as of May 30, 2005
1. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) – (38-1) *1
Russell County earned its first state title with a sweep of Pinson Valley. The Warriors won the first game, 5-1, and the second game, 7-0. Cory Rasmus went the distance for the Warriors in the second game, striking out 10. Rasmus’ brother, Colby, an Auburn recruit, was named Gatorade state Player of the Year after he batted .484 with 24 homers and 66 RBI. Russell County finishes No. 1 in the Top 25.
SEASON OVER
2. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) – (33-2-1) *2
Moody completed its sweep of McAllen in the Class 5A Region IV semifinals with a 2-0-shutout victory. Jason Rodriguez went the distance, scattering two hits and striking out 12. Robert Robles provided all the run support with a two-run homer. The Trojans will play Smithson Valley in the regional final.
3. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) – (22-0) *3
The Eagles defeated Hermitage, 8-6, in the Colonial District tournament final as Scott Neel went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI and Craig Stewart drove in three runs. Mills Godwin will host Varina tonight in the Central Region playoffs.
4. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) – (28-0) *4
Brownsburg finished the regular season undefeated with a 4-1 win over Connersville.
5. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – (25-0) *5
Bishop O’Dowd defeated Berkeley, 3-2, in the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay quarterfinals. Nikko Wahl scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth. The Dragons play Monte Vista in semifinals on June 1.
6. Nova (Davie, Fla.) – (30-1) *6
Nova became the first Broward County team to win consecutive state titles with a 3-0 blanking of Tampa Gaither in the Class 5A final. For the Titans, it was their 15th shutout of the season and it allowed the pitching staff to finish with an amazing team ERA of 0.92. Junior right-hander Donnie Amos pitched six scoreless innings of two-hit ball and struck out five for the win. Amos also drove in two runs. Senior right-hander Pablo Lopez pitched a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Wolfson in the semifinals. Lopez finished the year 15-1 and went 28-2 over his last two seasons.
SEASON OVER
7. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) – (25-1) *7
Niwot had its 45-game winning streak snapped in a 4-3 loss to Pueblo South in the Class 4A state championship series. The streak tied Eaton for the longest winning streak in state history. However, it was the Cougars’ first loss of the double-elimination tournament and they were able to get some revenge with a 7-0 shutout of Pueblo South in the state final. For the Cougars, it was their second straight state title and fifth in the last eight years. Senior left-hander Sean Ratliff capped his career by hurling a two-hit shutout, while striking out 14 and walking only one. He helped his own cause by going 4-for-4 at the plate.
SEASON OVER
8. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) – (29-2) *8
Florida Christian captured its second consecutive state title with a 7-5 victory over Arlington Country Day in the Class 2A final. Mitch Walker went the distance for the victory. The Patriots finished the season with a 26-game winning streak.
SEASON OVER
9. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – (31-3) *9
The Firebirds set a state record by winning their third consecutive Class 4A state title with a 10-0 victory over then-No. 23 Catalina Foothills in six innings. It was Chaparral’s fifth state title in seven years. The Firebirds won all four of their tournament games by 10-run mercy rules. Ike Davis and Charlie Brewer combined for the shutout and Jason Jarvis went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
SEASON OVER
10. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – (34-1-1) *11
The Pioneers finished the regular season by winning the Blue Water Diamond Classic with victories over Bay City Western, Port Huron Northern, Marysville and Port Huron. Senior Zach Putnam put on his own personal showcase as he was named tournament MVP by going 10-for-13 with five homers, two doubles, a triple and 19 RBI.
11. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) – (36-3) *12
Northwest Rankin swept Gulfport, 6-3 and 5-4, in the Class 5A state championship finals. It was the first state title for the Cougars. In the series clincher, sophomore reliever Ben Wylie struck out two in the seventh inning, including a game-ending punchout with the bases loaded.
SEASON OVER
12. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) – (28-1) *14
The Bears picked up their third straight state title with a 6-5 win in eight innings over Eldorado in the Class 5A final. Seth Johnson scored the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning on a passed ball. The Bears set a national record this season by winning their 69th consecutive game (the streak was snapped at 70).
SEASON OVER
13. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) – (26-1) *15
The Panthers edged Dublin Coffman, 6-4, in the Division I Region 2 final. Senior left-hander and Xavier recruit Charlie Leesman improved to 7-0 on the season by striking out 11. Marty Kersting and Alex LaGreca each hit a home run to pace the offense. Elder will play Mentor in the Division I state semifinals on June 3.
14. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) – (35-0) *16
Millard North capped off an undefeated season with a 10-6 win over Omaha Westside in the state championship game. The Mustangs finished with the first unbeaten season in Nebraska since Omaha Northwest in 1984. Jason Jewell, an Illinois recruit, had three homers and 13 RBI in the tournament.
SEASON OVER
15. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) – (36-3) *17
Houston Christian defeated Second Baptist, 11-3, in the TAPPS 5A state championship. The Mustangs had lost to Second Baptist in the TAPPS 4A state title game last year.
SEASON OVER
16. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.) – (29-5) *20
The Broncos defeated Eastlake and Fallbrook in CIF San Diego Section playoffs. Rancho Bernardo will play Eastlake again tonight in the fourth round.
17. St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) – (24-3) *21
St. John’s defeated Paul VI Catholic, 4-0, to win its second Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in the past six years.
SEASON OVER
18. Calvert Hall (Towson, Md.) – (31-1) *NR
Calvert Hall won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title with a 12-2 victory in six innings over Mount St. Joseph. Junior catcher Joe Velleggia had three hits, including two homers, while senior right-hander and Virginia Tech recruit Rob Waskiewicz scattered four hits to finish the season 10-0.
SEASON OVER
19. Arlington Heights (Fort Worth, Texas) – (36-2) *NR
The Yellow Jackets move into the Top 25 after sweeping Lubbock Estacado in the Class 4A Region I semifinals. Arlington Heights will take on Wichita Falls Rider in the regional final.
20. Deering (Deering, Maine) – (14-1) *23
Senior Chris Burleson struck out 19 batters and allowed just three hits in Deering’s 2-0 shutout of Westbrook. The Rams followed that up with a 17-3 win over Scarborough as Ryan Flaherty went 3-for-5 with five RBI.
21. Riverside Poly (Riverside, Calif.) – (25-3) *NR
Junior right-hander Hector Rabago struck out 10 and allowed one hit in seven innings of shutout relief as the Bears squeaked by Hart, 4-3, in eight innings in the CIF Southern Section Division I quarterfinals. Poly plays El Dorado tonight in the semifinals.
22. James Monroe (Bronx, N.Y.) – (31-1) *NR
Monroe plays Walton today in the PSAL quarterfinals. The Eagles are the defending PSAL champions.
23. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) – (28-1) *24
The Sailors had their hopes of an undefeated season and a state championship ended thanks to a 6-2 loss to Palm Beach Central in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals. Despite the loss, Sarasota remained in the Top 25 after a terrific season in which the Sailors won their first 28 games.
SEASON OVER
24. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) – (25-6) *NR
Buchanan dominated then-No. 22 Clovis West, 8-1, in the CIF Central Section Division I championship. It was Buchanan’s first baseball title in school history. Justin Wilson pitched a complete game, striking out eight.
SEASON OVER
25. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) – (32-3) *25
Catalina Foothills lost to new No. 10 Chaparral in the Class 4A state championship. It was the second straight year the Falcons lost to Chaparral in the state title game. Catalina Foothills didn’t drop from the rankings because it tied a Class 4A state record this season with 32 wins while advancing to the state title game.
SEASON OVER
Dropped Out:
No. 10 The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) – (28-6)
No. 13 Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) – (22-3)
No. 18 North Royalton (North Royalton, Ohio) – (28-2)
No. 19 Poway (Poway, Calif.) – (28-5)
No. 22 Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) – (27-4)
 |  |
BASEBALL AMERICA RANKS DRAGONS #7 IN COUNTRY
2005 High School Poll
Baseball America/National High School Baseball Coaches Association
Through Games of May 29, 2005
DURHAM, N.C.--Russell County High of Seale, Ala., concluded its season by winning Alabama's Class 5-A championship, thus securing its spot atop the latest Baseball America/National High School Baseball Coaches Association poll.
The Warriors lost the opening game of their best-of-three semifinals series but won their next four games, including a sweep of Pinson (Ala.) Valley High 5-1 and 7-0 at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery to claim their first state crown in school history.
Fort Lauderdale's Nova High clinched its second consecutive Florida Class 5-A title with a 3-0 shutout against Tampa's Gaither High. Nova moved to No.4 behind Moody High of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Mills Godwin High of Richmond, Va., both of which remained alive in their state tournaments.
Mills Godwin, No. 5 Brownsburg (Ind.) High, No. 7 Oakland's Bishop O'Dowd and No. 9 Omaha's Millard North were the lone remaining undefeated teams in the latest poll.
Millard North beat Omaha's Westside High 10-6 in the Class-A championship game at Rosenblatt Stadium to cap the first perfect season in Nebraska since 1984.
Baseball America’s top 50 high school poll, conducted every two weeks, is selected in conjunction with the National High School Baseball Coaches Association. The final poll will be released June 13.
* Season complete
5/29
5/15
Team
Record
Points
1
1
*Russell County HS, Seale, Ala.
38-1
300
2
2
Moody HS, Corpus Christi, Texas
33-2
288
3
3
Mills Godwin HS, Richmond
22-0
276
4
6
*Nova HS, Fort Lauderdale
30-1
263
5
7
Brownsburg (Ind.) HS
28-0
255
6
8
*Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, Ariz.
31-3
231
7
11
Bishop O’Dowd HS, Oakland
25-0
211
FINAL WEEK OF GAMES: O'DOWD #1 IN STATE
May 30, 2005
Updated State Baseball Rankings
Mark Tennis & Andrew Drennen
CalHiSports Staff
(After games of Monday, May 30)
(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 25-0
The Dragons got through the first two rounds of the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay playoffs to set themselves up for a shot at a historical title since they would also finish undefeated and untied. Their first win was by 5-1 over Arroyo of San Lorenzo, which featured Tyson Ross with a one-hitter and 13 strikeouts plus a three-run homer. The second game was more nail-biting as Berkeley tied it up in the sixth inning on a monster home run by Michael Durant, one of the top pro slugging prospects in the state. But O'Dowd prevailed, 3-2, and will now play Monte Vista of Danville in the semifinals on Wednesday. A win in that game and the Dragons would go for it all over the weekend against either De La Salle of Concord or California of San Ramon.
2. (3) Poly (Riverside) 25-3
Junior pitcher Hector Rabago kept Riverside Poly alive by throwing seven innings of shutout relief in a 4-3 win in eight innings over Hart of Newhall. Mike O'Neill's sac fly in the top of the eighth gave the Bears the win. Earlier in the week, coach Aaron Moore's squad took care of Villa Park, 4-1, with members of the Arcadia High team cheering them on. Arcadia had defeated Villa Park in its previous game, but Villa Park was given a forfeit victory when Arcadia's coach was spotted watching the game. The coach, who had been ejected in the previous game, should not have gone anywhere near his team in its next game. The Bears play surprising El Dorado of Placentia in the semifinals on Tuesday. If they win and O'Dowd loses in its semifinal to Monte Vista, then the Bears will go for the mythical state title in Saturday's championship game at Angels Stadium against either Mater Dei or Canyon Springs.
3. (8) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 28-4*
The Conquistadors ended the two year championship run of Chatsworth, beating the Chancellors, 5-1, in the L.A. City Section title game last Saturday at Dodger Stadium. It was the third win for ECR over Chatsworth this year (against one loss). Eric Pettis had an outstanding outing for the Conquistadors, holding Chatsworth to only one run. Pettis surrendered only two hits, one a homer to Matt Dominguez, and struck out six while retiring 17 straight. El Camino used a triple in the sixth inning to extend a 2-1 lead. ECR also put itself into the mix to be State Team of the Year. Anything can happen in a prep baseball playoff game and Conquistador fans will be rooting for O'Dowd to lose in the North Coast Section and for Riverside Poly to lose in the Southern Section. We've already gone over a comparison between ECR and Rancho Bernardo should both win out and the edge looks like it would go to the L.A. City team.
John Drennen is continuing to hit home runs for Rancho Bernardo even though it's playoff time.
4. (9) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 29-5
Last week, the No. 3 seed in the San Diego Section Div. I playoffs won its first two games to advance to Tuesday's semifinals against unseeded Eastlake. The Broncos got by Eastlake 6-5 in the first round and beat Fallbrook 13-6 in the second round. Four Broncos hit home runs against Fallbrook, including UCLA-bound John Drennen and a grand slam by Allan Dysktra. Brian Wilson started the game, was relieved and came back in the seventh to close out Fallbrook and improve to 11-1.
5. (4) Chatsworth 29-4
The Chancellors lost their hold on the LA City Section title with a 5-1 loss at the hands of El Camino Real. Matt Dominguez's home run early in the ball game was one of only two hits and the only run the Chancellors could push across. Chatsworth could not get to Eric Pettis as he retired 17 straight batters and struck out six. Earlier in the week, coach Tom Muesborn's squad earned a berth in its sixth section title game in eight years with a 15-5 win over South Gate. Oliver Padre, a junior, led the way with three hits and six RBI.
6. (12) Buchanan (Clovis) 27-6
Two of the Bears' losses came to district rival Clovis West, but they got the one that counted most with an 8-1 win over the Golden Eagles last Friday in the CIF Central Section Div. I title game. After a 5-1 win in the semis over Central of Fresno, Justin Wilson came through with a four-hitter against Clovis West. Jimmy Bedall helped break the game open with a two-run homer and an RBI single. Head coach Tom Donald won his first section title after coming close several times.
7. (13) Mitty (San Jose) 28-6
Jason Codiroli pitched the Monarchs to a 2-0 win over league rival Bellarmine in the semifinals before it was Kyle Hansen's turn to shut down surprising Santa Clara in the Central Coast Section Div. I title game. Hansen had a perfect game into the fifth inning and got all the support he would need with a seven-run second inning. Kurt Batinich, John Shaffer and Kevin Becker all had RBI singles in the big uprising. Three of Mitty's losses were to Bellarmine and another was to Bishop O'Dowd. The Monarchs won 12 of their last 13 games.
8. (14) Granite Hills (El Cajon) 27-5
The Eagles, seeded No. 4 in the San Diego Div. I playoffs, beat Montgomery 7-3 in the first round and advanced to Tuesday's semfinals with a 10-7 win over Poway. The Eagles will face No. 1 seed Poway for the second time in five days. Against Montgomery, Donald Anderson hit a solo home run and threw a complete game to improve to 7-1. Catcher Nick Monette hit a three-run homer against Poway.
9. (16) De La Salle (Concord) 21-4
The Spartans exploded for 12 runs in the fourth inning and went on to defeat Castro Valley, 19-2, in the NCS Class 3A East Bay quarterfinals. Garret Jandegian led the DLS onslaught with two hits and five RBI. Nick Hom cracked a home run while the big cusion allowed ace pitcher Eric Massingham to take a few innings off heading into this week's semifinals against California of San Ramon.
10. (6) Poway 28-5
The No. 1 seed in the San Diego Section opened the Div. I playoffs with a 6-1 win over Chula Vista before losing in the second round to Granite Hills 10-7. That forced a third-round game, which Poway won by defeating Montgomery 10-6 to advance to the semifinals. Poway faces No. 4 seed Granite Hills in the semis. Against Chula Vista, David Hovey improved to 12-1 with the win against Chula Vista. Jared Jones was 2-for-3 with a run scored, RBI and a double. Against Montgomery, Xavier Scruggs, bound for UNLV as a third baseman, was the winning pitcher (7-0) and hit a home run.
11. (18) Monte Vista (Danville) 19-5-1
Mike Cassady tossed a two-hitter to give the Mustangs a 1-0 win over Amador Valley of Pleasanton in the NCS Class 3A East Bay quarterfinals. It was only a few weeks ago when Amador was a one-loss team in contention for the No. 1 state ranking. Cassady's effort was especially important because it allowed head coach Bill Piona to completely rest Jeff Lynman, one of the top pitchers in Northern California, in anticipation for this week'ssemifinal game against No. 1 Bishop O'Dowd.
12. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 27-4
Coach Tim Thiessen's team had to go extra innings to get past Liberty of Bakersfield, 2-1, in the Central Section Div. I semifinals. That depleted some of the innings he had to work with in the final against Buchanan, which had its rested ace going. Clovis West will just have to be content knowing it went 2-2 against the Bears this year and also posted two wins over the other two teams they lost to. Look for the Golden Eagles to move up higher in next week's final rankings as some of the other higher ranked teams lose this week.
13. (5) Bellarmine (San Jose) 34-5
Like Clovis West, the Bells will likely make a nice jump upward for next week's final rankings. This is usually the case for teams that are from sections (like the CCS) that conclude their seasons before other sections (like the Southern and San Diego). Teams still with a shot at winning their section titles tend to be given the nod this week against those that are done. Bellarmine's season ended with a 2-0 loss to Mitty of San Jose in the Central Coast Section Div. I semifinals. Mitty was a team the Bells had beaten three times this season.
14. (20) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 22-8
Chris Gagne improved to 10-1 by pitching a two-hitter with eight strikeouts for the Monarchs in a 2-1 win over San Clemente in the CIFSS Div. I quarterfinals. Garrett Smith accounted for both of Mater Dei's runs by getting an RBI single and lifting a sac fly. Mater Dei, which beat state-ranked Crescenta Valley, 4-1, in a second-round game, will next play Canyon Springs in the semifinals.
15. (nr) La Quinta (Westminster) 27-4
Kevin Wasson had a homer and a double while Brandon Laird pitched six strong innings of relief as the Aztecs moved into the semifinals of the CIFSS Div. III playoffs with a 4-0 win over Corona del Mar of Newport Beach. Coach Dave Demarest's team, which is no stranger to state and national rankings, will play Temecula Valley in this week's semifinals.
16. (nr) Eastlake (Chula Vista) 26-8
Eastlake, unseeded in the San Diego Section Div. I playoffs, won three of four games to advance to the Tuesday semifinals against Rancho Bernardo. The Titans defeated La Costa Canyon 8-3 in the play-in round, lost to Rancho Bernardo 6-5 in the first round, beat Rancho Buena Vista 4-2 in the second round and advanced to the semis by beating No. 3 seed Fallbrook in the third round, 3-2. Against LCC, senior Eric Martinez hit a pair of home runs with a solo shot in the first and a grand slam in the third. Against Fallbrook, Jorge Dryjanski was the winning pitcher (5-1) as he gave up only four hits in six inning at Fallbrook's small ballpark, Duke Snider Field.
17. (nr) Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley) 21-8
Freshman shortstop Adrian Williams slapped a two-out RBI single to break a 4-4 tie and give the Cougars a 5-4 win in the CIFSS Div. I quarterfinals vs. favored Royal of Simi Valley. Canyon Springs also won earlier last week by 5-4 in a second-round game against another state-ranked foe, Canyon of Anaheim. Three of the Cougars' losses have come to No. 3 Riverside Poly. A fourth matchup between the Ivy League rivals could happen in Saturday's title game at Angels Stadium if both teams win in Tuesday's semifinals.
18. (10) Fallbrook 25-8
We'll likely have a spot for the Warriors in the final overall top 20, although their season is now over. The No. 2 seed in the San Diego Section Div. I playoffs defeated Rancho Buena Vista 7-0 in a first-round game, but the Warriors lost to Rancho Bernardo in a second-round game 13-6 and were eliminated in the third round by a 3-2 loss to Eastlake. Against RBV, Eric Castro, Phil Hecht and David Plante hit home runs and Mike Leake improved to 10-3 in the win. Castro's home run was his 15th of the season for the Avocado League champions. Leake's decision was his third win of the year over the Avocado runner-up. Fallbrook used five pitchers that surrendered four home runs in the loss to Rancho Bernardo at the Warriors' small ballpark.
19. (7) Royal (Simi Valley) 25-4
The Highlanders lost in the quarterfinals of the CIFSS Div. I playoffs last week to Canyon Springs, 5-4, which obliterated their chance of being State Team of the Year. That could have happened with a CIFSS title combined with other teams losing. Royal did win earlier in the week, 3-1, over Millikan of Long Beach as Clayton Edwards and David Smith combined on a two-hitter.
20. (nr) Justin-Siena (Napa) 26-0
It's a small school team for sure, but the Braves have some big-time talent with the likes of third baseman Brett Wallace, who will be in the Playstation All-America Game, not to mention pitchers Mark Devincenzi and Matt Leonard. Justin-Siena also now has the second-longest win streak in state history, extending the run to 39 games with wins last week of 11-2 over Beran Christian of Walnut Creek and 3-0 over Kelseyville. Devincenzi, in only his third start back after a bout with tendonitis, pitched a no-hitter and went 1-for-3 with an RBI against Kelseyville. The Braves will meet 22-0 Head-Royce of Oakland on Saturday night for the NCS Class 1A title. It's hard to tell for sure, but it looks like the first matchup of undefeated teams for a baseball title in California in more than 50 years.
State Baseball Rankings
By Division & Region
Note: Teams are matched as closely as possible with the playoff divisions they are in according to their section. These are not the same enrollment-based divisions the CIF uses for basketball. CIF Southern Section Division I teams are Division I for the state rankings, Division II is Division II, Division III and Division IV are Division III, Division V is Division IV, Division VI is Division V except for teams from High Desert, Alpha and De Anza leagues which are Division IV, Division VII is Division V. If you have a question about the division your school has been placed, email mark@studentsports.com.
Division I
1. (2) Poly (Riverside) 25-3
2. (7) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 28-4*
3. (8) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 27-5
4. (3) Chatsworth 29-4
5. (11) Buchanan (Clovis) 27-6
6. (12) Mitty (San Jose) 28-6
7. (13) Granite Hills (El Cajon) 25-5
8. (15) De La Salle (Concord) 21-4
9. (5) Poway 26-5
10. (1) Clovis West (Fresno) 27-4
11. (4) Bellarmine (San Jose) 34-5
12. (nr) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 22-8
13. (nr) Eastlake (Chula Vista) 26-8
14. (nr) Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley) 21-8
15. (9) Fallbrook 23-8
Division II
1. (1) Monte Vista (Danville) 19-5-1
2. (2) Benicia 28-2
3. (4) California (San Ramon) 22-4
4. (6) Cypress 23-7
5. (5) Woodland 27-5
6. (8) Foothill (Palo Cedro) 21-5
7. (7) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 20-5
8. (nr) Claremont 21-7
9. (nr) Monterey 23-9
10. (nr) El Capitan (Lakeside) 21-11
On the Bubble: Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) 20-6, Grossmont (La Mesa) 24-8, Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga) 20-8, Ramona 22-8, Rio Mesa (Oxnard) 21-8, Santa Cruz 27-8, Tulare Western (Tulare) 22-9, Yucaipa 22-9.
Note: This week's rankings do not include Monday night result between Benicia and Woodland for the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II title.
Division III
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 25-0
2. (3) La Quinta (Westminster) 27-4
3. (nr) Valhalla (El Cajon) 23-7
4. (7) Campolindo (Moraga) 20-4
5. (9) Temecula Valley (Temecula) 24-5
6. (10) Ocean View (Huntington Beach) 23-5
7. (nr) Charter Oak (Covina) 23-4-1
8. (8) Mission Bay (San Diego) 23-9
9. (nr) Buhach Colony (Atwater) 25-6
10. (nr) Serrano (Phelan) 19-1-1
On the Bubble: Casa Grande (Petaluma) 17-9, Colony (Ontario) 21-6, Gahr (Cerritos) 23-6, Miramonte (Orinda) 20-5, Murrieta Valley (Murrieta) 17-11, Oakdale 23-7, Palm Desert 23-4, Petaluma 25-2.
Note: This week's rankings include Monday night's 7-6 win by Buhach Colony over Oakdale in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. III final. Jake Jeffries of Buhach Colony had two doubles and ended the season with a 40-game hitting streak, one of the longest in state history.
Northern California
Overall Top 15
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 25-0
2. (4) Buchanan (Clovis) 27-6
3. (5) Mitty (San Jose) 28-6
4. (6) De La Salle (Concord) 21-4
5. (7) Monte Vista (Danville) 19-5-1
6. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 27-4
7. (3) Bellarmine (San Jose) 34-5
8. (8) Justin-Siena (Napa) 26-0
9. (9) Benicia 28-2
10. (10) Elk Grove 26-5
11. (13) California (San Ramon) 22-4
12. (nr) Tokay (Lodi) 26-6
13. (nr) Woodland 27-5
14. (nr) Foothill (Palo Cedro) 21-5
15. (14) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 20-5
SchoolSports: Dragons Now #5 In Country
Champion Presents: Baseball Top 25
Justin Bristow leads No. 3 Mills Godwin (Va.)
By Jon Mahoney
Date: May 25, 2005
In this week’s National Baseball Top 25, Russell County (Ala.) captures the title as the nation’s No. 1 team after the Warriors swept Pinson Valley (Ala.) to win their first state championship.
Rankings as of May 23, 2005
1. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) – (38-1) *1
Russell County earned its first state title with a sweep of Pinson Valley. The Warriors won the first game, 5-1, and the second game, 7-0. Cory Rasmus went the distance for the Warriors in the second game, striking out 10. Rasmus’ brother, Colby, an Auburn recruit, was named Gatorade state Player of the Year after he batted .484 with 24 homers and 66 RBI.
SEASON OVER
2. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) – (31-2-1) *2
The Trojans swept San Antonio Reagan, 10-3 and 7-2, in the Class 5A Region IV quarterfinals. Jason Rodriguez pitched a complete game and struck out seven. Luis Flores had a homer and two RBI. The Trojans will play McAllen in the regional semifinals on May 26.
3. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) – (20-0) *4
Mills Godwin takes its undefeated mark against Deep Run tonight in the Colonial District playoffs.
4. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) – (26-0) *5
Brownsburg defeated Zionsville, 2-0, behind Lance Lynn’s third no-hitter of the season. Nick Shipley paced the offense by going 2-for-2 with a triple and an RBI.
5. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – (23-0) *6
Bishop O’Dowd completed its first undefeated season in school history and clinched its league title for the third straight year with a 4-1 win over Castro Valley. Tyson Ross picked up the win and struck out 15. The Dragons are the No. 1 seed in the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay playoffs and take on Arroyo in the first round tonight.
6. Nova (Davie, Fla.) – (28-1) *7
Nova captured the Class 5A, Region 4 title with a 6-5 win over Barron Collier. Shortstop Nick Arata provided the game-winning hit with an RBI single in the top of the eighth. Billy Block picked up the win by striking out the side in the bottom of the eighth. The Titans, who are the defending state champions, will play Wolfson tonight in the state semifinals.
7. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) – (25-1) *8
Niwot had its 45-game winning streak snapped in a 4-3 loss to Pueblo South in the Class 4A state championship series. The streak tied Eaton for the longest winning streak in state history. However, it was the Cougars’ first loss of the double-elimination tournament and they were able to get some revenge with a 7-0 shutout of Pueblo South in the state final. For the Cougars, it was their second straight state title and fifth in the last eight years. Senior left-hander Sean Ratliff capped his career by hurling a two-hit shutout, while striking out 14 and walking only one. He helped his own cause by going 4-for-4 at the plate.
SEASON OVER
8. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) – (27-2) *9
Florida Christian blanked Westminster Academy, 5-0, in the Class 2A Region 4 championship. Florida Christian plays Port St. Joe tonight in the state semifinals.
9. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – (31-3) *10
The Firebirds set a state record by winning their third consecutive Class 4A state title with a 10-0 victory over then-No. 23 Catalina Foothills in six innings. It was Chaparral’s fifth state title in seven years. The Firebirds won all four of their tournament games by 10-run mercy rules. Ike Davis and Charlie Brewer combined for the shutout and Jason Jarvis went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
SEASON OVER
10. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) – (28-4) *11
The Woodlands swept Austin S.F. Austin in the Class 5A Region II quarterfinals, 14-4 and 8-1. Junior Kyle Drabek (11-0) picked up the win in the second game by striking out 12 over seven innings. He added a homer and a double at the plate. The Highlanders take on Rockwall in the regional semifinals on May 27.
11. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – (27-1-1) *3
The Pioneers suffered their first loss of the season to Chelsea in a doubleheader split. Pioneer won, 14-3, and lost 5-3. It was the Pioneers’ first loss of the season. Pioneer rebounded by blanking Saline, 10-0, in five innings in the South Eastern Conference tournament championship.
12. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) – (36-3) *13
Northwest Rankin swept Gulfport, 6-3 and 5-4, in the Class 5A state championship finals. It was the first state title for the Cougars. In the series clincher, sophomore reliever Ben Wylie struck out two in the seventh inning, including a game-ending punchout with the bases loaded.
SEASON OVER
13. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) – (22-2) *14
Roberson defeated Burns, 11-7, in the second round of Class 3-A state playoffs. Josh Thrailkill slugged a grand slam and Cameron Maybin added a solo homer to lead the Rams.
14. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) – (28-1) *15
The Bears picked up their third straight state title with a 6-5 win in eight innings over Eldorado in the Class 5A final. Seth Johnson scored the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning on a passed ball. The Bears set a national record this season by winning their 69th consecutive game (the streak was snapped at 70).
SEASON OVER
15. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) – (24-1) *16
Elder defeated Troy, 10-1, in a Division I district championship. Charlie Leesman (6-0) picked up the win and struck out 10. The Panthers face Lewis Center Olentangy in Columbus regional semifinals on May 27.
16. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) – (35-0) *17
Millard North capped off an undefeated season with a 10-6 win over Omaha Westside in the state championship game. The Mustangs finished with the first unbeaten season in Nebraska since Omaha Northwest in 1984. Jason Jewell, an Illinois recruit, had three homers and 13 RBI in the tournament.
SEASON OVER
17. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) – (36-3) *18
Houston Christian defeated Second Baptist, 11-3, in the TAPPS 5A state championship. The Mustangs had lost to Second Baptist in the TAPPS 4A state title game last year.
SEASON OVER
18. North Royalton (North Royalton, Ohio) – (27-1) *19
The Bears beat Boardman, 9-4, in a Division I district championship. North Royalton takes on Medina in the Eastlake regional on May 27.
19. Poway (Poway, Calif.) – (26-4) *20
Poway will play Chula Vista tonight in the first round of the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs.
20. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.) – (27-5) *21
The Broncos take on Eastlake tonight in the first round of the CIF San Diego Section Division I playoffs.
21. St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) – (24-3) *22
St. John’s defeated Paul VI Catholic, 4-0, to win its second Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in the past six years.
SEASON OVER
22. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) – (26-3) *23
Mike Colla needed only 59 pitches to help Clovis West dispatch Bullard, 6-0, in the CIF Central Section Division I quarterfinals. The senior right-hander and Arizona recruit allowed just two hits, struck out seven and walked none. Clovis West takes on Liberty tonight in the semifinals.
23. Deering (Deering, Maine) – (12-1) *12
The Rams were handed their first loss in 43 games in a 6-2 defeat at the hands of Biddeford. Deering drops this far because Biddeford was a team that was under .500.
24. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) – (28-1) *24
The Sailors had their hopes of an undefeated season and a state championship ended thanks to a 6-2 loss to Palm Beach Central in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals. Despite the loss, Sarasota remained in the Top 25 after a terrific season in which the Sailors won their first 28 games.
SEASON OVER
25. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) – (32-3) *25
Catalina Foothills lost to new No. 10 Chaparral in the Class 4A state championship. It was the second straight year the Falcons lost to Chaparral in the state title game. Catalina Foothills didn’t drop from the rankings because it tied a Class 4A state record this season with 32 wins while advancing to the state title game.
SEASON OVER
Student Sports: Dragons #6 in Nation
May 26, 2005
Nova No. 1
Doug Huff
StudentSportsBaseball.com Senior Editor
Contributing: Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Sheldon Shealer.
Note: Won-Loss Records through May 21; previous ranking in parentheses.
1. Nova (Davie, Fla.) 29-1 (1)
The Titans can wrap up the FAB 50 national rankings title with two more wins this week and the state Class 5A championship. Nova, the defending state champion, qualified for the Final Four with a 6-5 regional final victory over Barron Collier of Naples after trailing 3-0 in the first inning. Reliever Will Buck (3-0) picked up the victory. In the state semifinals, Nova is matched against Jacksonville Wolfson (24-6), which lost last year's title game to Nova. The other semifinal matches Tampa Gaither vs. Cape Coral Mariner.
2. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) 38-1 (2)
The Warriors captured their first state title by sweeping Pinson Valley in the Class 5A finals. Russell County prevailed by 7-0 in the clincher after winning 5-1 in the first game. Junior Cory Rasmus (11-0) hurled a three-hit shutout while striking out 10 in the finale. Senior Colby Rasmus was tourney MVP with 3-for-7 from the plate and four RBI. He had 24 season home runs, second highest in state history. If Nova falls in either the semifinal or final game of the Florida Class 4A playoffs, then Russell County will be a unanimous mythical national champion by the three most recognized rankings.
3. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) 31-2-1 (3)
The Trojans, defending state Class 5A champions and top-rated this season but ignored in the USA Today rankings, continue to impress by sweeping previously FAB 50 ranked San Antonio Reagan, 10-3 and 7-2 in the best-of-three regional quarterfinals. Luis Flores (10-0) struck out 10 in the 10-3 victory. Moody takes on McAllen in the regional semifinals this week.
4. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) 27-2 (4)
The defending state Class 2A champion marched to the Final Four state event with a 5-0 regional final win over Westminster Academy of Fort Lauderdale. Bryan Morgado (8-1) hurled a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in the win. Chris Leon and Ramon Melendez both homered. In this week's state semifinals, Florida Christian takes on Port St. Joseph (25-4).
5. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 31-3 (5)
Veteran coach Jerry Dawson's squad won its third straight Class 4A state
title two weeks ago and did it so convincingly that some believe it is one of the best teams Arizona has ever seen.
6. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 23-0 (6)
It's a strange end of the season in the Golden State in that O'Dowd still
hasn't had a playoff game in the CIF North Coast Section while other contenders for the state's top ranking are just about done. The Dragons won twice last week to wrap up their first unbeaten regular season in their school's 55-year history and open the NCS Class 3A East Bay playoffs on Wednesday as the top seed against Arroyo of San Lorenzo.
O'Dowd #1 in State
Updated State Baseball Rankings
Mark Tennis & Andrew Drennen
CalHiSports Staff
(Tom Shanahan also completed many of the writeups for this week's top 20 rankings)
(Thanks also to associate editor Harold Abend)
(After games of Saturday, May 21)
(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 23-0
The top-ranked team in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than a month finished off the week with 7-3 win over Mt. Eden and clinched the Hayward Area Athletic League title with a 4-1 win over Castro Valley that featured a 15-strikeout outing by Tyson Ross. The Dragons concluded the first undefeated regular season in their school's 55-year history. They were seeded first in the ultra-competitive North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay playoffs, a seeding decision that was made easier due to previous state No. 4 Amador Valley suffering three losses last week. O'Dowd opens its postseason against league rival Arroyo of San Lorenzo.
2. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 26-3
Mike Colla was the man for the Golden Eagles as they opened the Central Section Div. I playoffs with two impressive wins. First, Colla hammered a grand slam home run in a 15-0 romp past Clovis East. Next came a two-hitter on the mound (both hits were infield singles) and seven strikeouts in a 6-0 blanking of Fresno Bullard. Clovis West plays Liberty of Bakersfield in this week's semifinals and may have its second straight section title locked up by the weekend. If that happens, the team would then play a waiting game, hoping for O'Dowd to lose in the NCS playoffs.
3. (3) Poly (Riverside) 23-3
The Bears began their CIF Southern Section Div. I playoff run with a 12-4 win over Damien of La Verne. Alec Roldan hit a three-run double in a five-run third inning to help Poly move on. Hector Rabago had a two-run single and Scott Marisnick had three hits (all singles) in the win. Next up for Riverside Poly is a second-round meeting against Villa Park (18-8-1).
4. (5) Chatsworth 28-3
The Chancellors continued their annual march to the L.A. City Section finals last week with a 5-4 win over Palisades. Mike Moustakas threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball to get the save. With the win, the Chancellors moved into the semifinals against 30-4 South Gate. Matt Dominguez had two singles for Chatsworth, and Mitul Patel had an RBI triple to lead Chatsworth against the Dolphins. Josh Ravin picked up the win. The Chancellors also defeated Fremont earlier last week, 11-0. This year's L.A. City playoffs are slightly different in that they will end on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend at Dodger Stadium. In recent years, the L.A. City baseball finals have been held on a Tuesday following the CIF state track meet and have often been the final championship event in the state. This year, the Dodgers have a home game on that Tuesday date.
Matt Daily got the final out for Esperanza of Anaheim in a CIFSS playoff win last week against Chino.
5. (6) Bellarmine (San Jose) 34-4
Coach Gary Cunningham's squad advanced to the Central Coast Section Div. I semifinals with triumphs of 11-4 vs. Piedmont Hills of San Jose and 6-3 vs. Leland of San Jose. The Bells will not get the chance to avenge their two losses to Serra of San Mateo in the playoffs as Serra did not get out of the first round. Bellarmine's semifinal foe is state-ranked Mitty of San Jose and in the finals it could be arch-rival St. Francis, although the Lancers first would have to deal with suprising Santa Clara.
6. (8) Poway 25-4
Last week, Poway earned the No. 1 seed in the San Diego Section Division I playoffs as the Palomar League champions finished the regular season by defeating Torrey Pines, 2-0, and Westview, 7-6. David Hovey improved to 11-1 for the season while tossing a three-hitter at Torrey Pines. The Titans hit three home runs against Westview as Clay Murray stroked a pair of them and Mark Castellito hit his ninth of the year.
7. (10) Royal (Simi Valley) 24-3
D.J. Smith hit the go-ahead home run in the third inning in a 3-2 victory over Valencia as Royal opened up the CIF Southern Section Div. I playoffs. Smith held visiting Valencia scoreless and pitched the final two innings, striking out four. The playoff win was the first for Royal since the 2001 season. Next up for the Highlanders is Millikan of Long Beach (22-9).
8. (11) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 26-4*
Junior Shaun Kort went 2-for-3 with three RBI in a 10-0 win over Poly of Sun Valley in the second round of the L.A. City Section playoffs. Ryan Lavarnway also had two hits, including a home run, while Casey Green followed Lavarnway's homer with one of his own. El Camino Real also defeated Westchester of Los Angeles, 8-4, last week in its first playoff game. Next up will be Granada Hills Kennedy. A Friday afternoon title game at Dodger Stadium would surprise no one.
9. (12) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 27-5
The Broncos defeated Mt. Carmel, 4-1, and beat La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad, 5-2, to finish the regular season with 27 victories, the most among San Diego Section schools. But the Broncos had to settle for the No. 3 seed in the Division I section playoffs. Senior pitcher Brian Wilson improved to 10-1 with the four-hitter against the Sundevils and contributed a two-run home run against La Costa Canyon. Wilson has 56 RBI for the year. UCLA-bound outfielder John Drennen also hit a two-run home run, his 16th of the year.
10. (15) Fallbrook 24-6
The Warriors were ranked No. 1 by the San Diego Union-Tribune but were seeded No. 2 in the San Diego Section Division I playoffs after finishing the regular season by defeating El Camino of Oceanside, 9-2, and Rancho Buena Vista, 9-1, to wrap up the Avocado League championship. Fallbrook banged out nine hits against Avocado runner-rup RBV and UCLA-bound pitcher Tim Murphy in the regular-season finale at Duke Snider Field. Mike Leake, a junior right-hander, picked up the win to improve to 9-3 while also stroking a pair of home runs. He hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the fifth. Erik Castro also hit a home run for Fallbrook.
11. (14) Norco 22-4-1*
Josh Romanski had no time for romance as he was spinning a three-hitter and striking out 15 for the Cougars in a 13-0 win over Hoover of Glendale in the first-round of the CIFSS Div. I playoffs. Coach Gary Purcell's team will next face Esperanza of Anaheim in a very attractive second-round matchup.
12. (13) Buchanan (Clovis) 25-6
For the Bears to perhaps get another crack at Clovis West, which would come in this Friday's Central Section Div. I final, they first need to advance past Central of Fresno in the semifinals. While Buchanan was edging Stockdale of Bakersfield, 3-2, in its quarterfinal game, Central was knocking off No. 2 seed and state-ranked Centennial of Bakersfield, 5-4, in another. Justin Wilson struck out 10 in another winning mound outing for Buchanan. The offense was enough, especially with Jimmy Beddall cranking out a long home run.
13. (16) Mitty (San Jose) 26-6
Three of the Monarchs' six losses this year have been to No. 5 Bellarmine and we'll find out if the fourth time is a charm in this Wednesday's Central Coast Section Div. I semifinals. Mitty did its part to advance into that matchup with victories of 7-0 over Westmont of Campbell and 7-3 over defending champ Wilcox of Santa Clara.
14. (18) Granite Hills (El Cajon) 25-5
The Eagles picked up the No. 4 seed in San Diego Section's Division I playoffs after defeating Mount Miguel of Spring Valley, 19-2, and Monte Vista of Spring Valley, 10-0, to finish the regular season as the Grossmont League South co-champions with Division III Valhalla. Granite Hills connected for five home runs and 21 hits in the rout of Mount Miguel. Against Monte Vista, 11 Eagles combined for 14 hits. Senior catcher Nick Monette hit home runs in both games. In the Monte Vista win, his two-run home run in the second inning for a 6-0 lead was his ninth of the season.
15. (19) Canyon (Anaheim) 22-5
The Commanches continued their stellar play of late with a 4-0 win over El Toro in their CIFSS Div. I first-round game. Canyon pounded out nine hits and only surrendered one in the shutout win. Next up for Canyon is a matchup against Canyon Springs of Moreno Valley (19-8), which took out Corona Santiago in its first-round game. Last year, Santiago reached the semifinals and was expected to have a better team this season.
16. (20) De La Salle (Concord) 19-4
Eric Massingham and D.J. Mauldin combined to pitch a shutout as the Spartans ended the regular season with a 13-0 win over Pittsburg. Earlier in the week, the Bay Valley Athletic League champs rolled past Ygnacio Valley of Concord, 14-1, behind three hits (including a double) from Nick Hom plus a two-run homer by Connor Larkin. DLS starts the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay playoffs as the No. 2 seed behind Bishop O'Dowd and will host San Leandro (14-10) in its first game.
17. (nr) Crescenta Valley (La Crescenta) 23-3
If it were not for a pair of hard to explain losses to Glendale Hoover, the Falcons would be right in the middle of the fight for the state's final No. 1 ranking. Crescenta Valley began its foray into the CIFSS Div. I minefield by walking all over Long Beach Poly, 18-0. It was an unflattering way for Poly two-sport standout DeSean Jackson to end his prep career. Crescenta Valley will now face Mater Dei in perhaps the best second-round game of the tourney.
18. (nr) Monte Vista (Danville) 17-5-1
A 2-0 week for the Mustangs coupled with an 0-3 week by previous No. 4 Amador Valley wound up giving Monte Vista the No. 3 seed in the upcoming NCS Class 3A East Bay playoffs. In fact, the Mustangs are the highest seeded team from among the rugged East Bay Athletic League. They were able to make that happen mostly because of a dramatic two-run home run by Steve Soldotni in the bottom of the seventh inning that turned a potential 1-0 loss to California of San Ramon into a 2-1 triumph.
19. (nr) Esperanza (Anaheim) 19-8
It's been a strange year for the Aztecs, one that began with a bang with the championship of the Phil Nevin National Classic but has since been a juggling act for longtime coach Mike Curran, who has had several players go down with season-ending injuries. After its strong start and a long stay in the state rankings, Esperanza wound up finishing behind Marina and Los Alamitos in the Sunset League. Now, it's Esperanza still going in the CIFSS Div. I playoffs while Marina and Los Al are done. The Aztecs won their opening playoff game, 4-3, over Chino thanks to some gutty pitching from Matt White and Matt Daly. Their next opponent, state-ranked Norco, should require an even better effort.
20. (nr) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 20-8
The Monarchs, remember, are the team that got to the final of the Phil Nevin National Classic and lost to Esperanza. They also finished atop the standings of the difficult Serra League. Mater Dei has now won its first CIFSS playoff game with a 4-2 win over King of Riverside. Chris Gagne won his ninth game of the season by giving up five hits in six innings. On offense, Garrett Smith smashed a two-run homer in the first inning and later in the game used some speed to score another run. The Monarchs face Crescenta Valley in their next playoff game.
State Baseball Rankings
By Division & Region
Note: Teams are matched as closely as possible with the playoff divisions they are in according to their section. These are not the same enrollment-based divisions the CIF uses for basketball. CIF Southern Section Division I teams are Division I for the state rankings, Division II is Division II, Division III and Division IV are Division III, Division V is Division IV, Division VI is Division V except for teams from High Desert, Alpha and De Anza leagues which are Division IV, Division VII is Division V. If you have a question about the division your school has been placed, email mark@studentsports.com.
Division I
1. (1) Clovis West (Fresno) 26-3
2. (2) Poly (Riverside) 23-3
3. (3) Chatsworth 28-3
4. (4) Bellarmine (San Jose) 35-4
5. (6) Poway 25-4
6. (8) Royal (Simi Valley) 24-3
7. (9) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 26-4*
8. (11) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 27-5
9. (13) Fallbrook 24-6
10. (12) Norco 22-4-1
11. (10) Buchanan (Clovis) 25-6
12. (14) Mitty (San Jose) 26-6
13. (nr) Granite Hills (El Cajon) 24-5
14. (nr) Canyon (Anaheim) 22-5
15. (nr) De La Salle (Concord) 19-4
Division II
1. (3) Monte Vista (Danville) 17-5-1
2. (2) Benicia 25-2
3. (5) Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) 20-5
4. (7) California (San Ramon) 20-4
5. (6) Woodland 24-4
6. (8) Cypress 21-7
7. (1) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 19-4
8. (10) Foothill (Palo Cedro) 21-5
9. (nr) Los Gatos 24-5
10. (nr) Santa Cruz 27-7
On the Bubble: El Capitan (Lakeside) 20-11, Grossmont (La Mesa) 22-8, Livermore 16-8, Monterey 21-9, Rio Mesa (Oxnard) 20-7, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno) 19-7, Santa Cruz 25-7.
Division III
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 23-0
2. (2) Palm Desert 23-3
3. (3) La Quinta (Westminster) 25-4
4. (4) Petaluma 24-1
5. (5) Oakmont (Roseville) 24-3
6. (6) Tesoro (Las Flores) 21-6
7. (7) Campolindo (Moraga) 19-4
8. (8) Mission Bay (San Diego) 21-7
9. (9) Temecula Valley (Temecula) 22-5
10. (10) Ocean View (Huntington Beach) 21-5
On the Bubble: Charter Oak (Covina) 21-4-1, Colony (Ontario) 20-5, El Cerrito 19-5, Gahr (Cerritos) 22-5, Kaiser (Fontana) 20-7, La Canada 18-3, Miramonte (Orinda) 19-5, Santana (Santee) 23-7, Serrano (Phelan) 17-1-1, South Hills (Covina) 18-6, Valhalla (El Cajon) 22-7.
Northern California
Overall Top 15
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 23-0
2. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 26-3
3. (4) Bellarmine (San Jose) 34-4
4. (5) Buchanan (Clovis) 25-6
5. (6) Mitty (San Jose) 26-6
6. (8) De La Salle (Concord) 19-4
7. (12) Monte Vista (Danville) 17-5-1
8. (9) Justin-Siena (Napa) 24-0
9. (11) Benicia 25-2
10. (13) Elk Grove 23-5
11. (14) Liberty (Bakersfield) 25-6
12. (15) St. Mary's (Stockton) 24-7
13. (nr) California (San Ramon) 20-4
14. (3) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 19-4
15. (nr) St. Francis (Mountain View) 23-9
Southern California
Overall Top 20
1. (1) Poly (Riverside) 23-3
2. (2) Chatsworth 28-3
3. (4) Poway 26-4
4. (6) Royal (Simi Valley) 24-3
5. (7) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 26-4*
6. (8) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 27-5
7. (9) Norco 22-4-1
8. (10) Fallbrook 24-6
9. (11) Granite Hills (El Cajon 24-5
10. (12) Canyon (Anaheim) 22-5
11. (14) Crescenta Valley (La Crescenta) 23-3
12. (19) Esperanza (Anaheim) 19-8
13. (15) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 20-8
14. (18) Palm Desert 23-3
15. (nr) La Quinta (Westminster) 25-4
16. (3) Saugus 23-4
17. (5) Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 21-5-1
18. (nr) Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) 20-5
19. (nr) South Gate 30-4
20. (nr) Cypress 21-7
Bay Area Rankings
May 24, 2005
Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area Top 20 Rankings
Harold Abend
CalHiSports Associate Editor
Note: We hope you enjoy this free story on CalHiSports.com. Many of our other regular features, such as the state rankings, state record updates and all-state team stories, are part of our all-access premium subscription. You can't find our blend of high school content on any other web site in the state.
No matter what happens in the playoffs, the Bishop O'Dowd Dragons will still bask in the glory of the finest baseball season in the 55-year history of the school. Not only have they never finished the regular season undefeated but coach Joel Kaufman's nine has garnered the No. 1 ranking overall in the state for the first-time at some point during a season, which is something only the boys basketball team at the school has ever achieved. "It's great to be number one in the state and the top seed (in the NCS 3A East Bay playoffs) and the kids have really earned it with hard work," Kaufman says. "But every game is a new season now."
Robert Pappenhouse of San Jose Bellarmine hopes to be celebrating CCS title this weekend.
Hey…check out the fellas from Santa Clara, who at No. 19 make an entry into the top 20 for the first time this year. Last week, in the CCS Division I playoffs, the Bruins crushed the dreams of two West Catholic Athletic League opponents, first beating No. 2 seed Serra 3-1 and following that up by edging Valley Christian 3-2 to break through to the semifinals. Next up is St. Francis on Wednesday afternoon for a shot at the title against the winner of the Bellarmine-Mitty contest later that evening. At least there's one non-WCAL team in the hunt.
It looks more and more like we are heading towards the ultimate showdown of undefeated number one teams in the small school divisions in the state. Division IV number one Justin-Siena is on a collision course for the second year-in-a-row with Division V number one Head-Royce in the North Coast Section Class A championship. Justin-Siena has been No. 1 in its state division since the preseason, but Head-Royce has only recently moved into that spot. Amazingly, two other NCS teams – Ferndale and Bishop O'Dowd -- completed perfect regular seasons. According to the boss and unofficial state historian (editor Mark Tennis), there have been many seasons in which there have been no undefeated teams in the entire state for the regular season. For the NCS to have four is quite remarkable indeed.
Here are this week's baseball top 20 rankings
(After games of Saturday May 21)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 23-0
2. (2) Bellarmine (San Jose) 34-4
3. (3) Mitty (San Jose) 26-6
4. (5) De La Salle (Concord) 17-4
5. (8) Monte Vista (Danville) 17-5-1
6. (6) Justin-Siena (Napa) 24-0
7. (11) California (San Ramon) 19-4
8. (2) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 20-4
9. (12) St. Francis (Mountain View) 24-9
10. (9) Petaluma 24-1
11. (10) Clayton Valley (Concord) 20-4
12. (13) Campolindo (Moraga) 19-4
13. (14) Los Gatos 24-5
14. (7) Serra (San Mateo) 19-8-1
15. (19) Santa Cruz 27-7
16. (18) Livermore 16-8
17. (20) Carmel 29-4-1
18. (15) Miramonte (Orinda) 19-5
19. (nr) Santa Clara 21-11
20. (17) Valley Christian (San Jose) 21-11
National FAB50>>>> DRAGONS #6
May 19, 2005
FAB 50: Who's No. 1?
Doug Huff
StudentSportsBaseball.com Senior Editor
Contributing: Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Sheldon Shealer.
Note: Won-Loss Records through May 14; previous ranking in parentheses.
1. Nova (Davie, Fla.) 27-1 (4)
The difference of being from a state with single-elimination state playoffs vs. a state with double-elimination playoffs went a long way with the choice of the Titans as the new No. 1 team. In Florida, it's one loss and you're done, which previous No. 1 Sarasota found out the hard way in a Class 6A playoff upset loss last week to Palm Beach Central. Nova negotiated such a minefield last year en route to the Class 5A state title and if the Titans do it again for a second straight year and finish with just one loss for the season that's enough for us for them to be the FAB 50 mythical national champion. Nova continued its march toward a repeat title in regional tournament play last week by downing Northwest by 2-1 and Naples Gulf Coast by 11-2. A 15-hit attack included two from winning pitcher Donnie Amos. Nova has already won in the regional finals this week against Barron Collier of Naples and will play Jacksonville Wolfson this weekend in its next playoff game.
2. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) 36-1 (2)
The Warriors' bid for the No. 1 national ranking continues despite their first loss last week. In fact, Russell County's chances for being mythical national champion got better due to previous FAB 50 No. 1 Sarasota (Fla.) getting upset by Palm Beach Central in the one-loss elimination Class 5A Florida state playoffs. The unbeaten season ended after 34 wins in the state Class 5A semifinals but Russell County rebounded from a 5-0 setback to oust Stanhope Elmore by 6-3 and 2-0 in the best-of-three series. Although it's a credit to the Warriors how they bounced back from their loss to beat that same team twice, a playoff loss should still count for something in the rankings, especially if you're comparing it to a team that doesn't have the luxury of slipping up even once in the postseason. Colby Rasmus, who hit his 23rd homer this season, pitched a complete game two-hitter and struck out 11 to clinch the series. The Warriors advance to this week's best-of-three finals vs. Pinson Valley (35-10). Pinson Valley is led by three-sport standout and outfielder, Desmond Jennings.
3. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) 29-2-1 (3)
The defending state Class 5A champions advanced to the Region IV quarterfinals last week by sweeping Churchill of San Antonio, 3-2 and 4-2, in the area playoffs. The Trojans, top-ranked in Texas but not mentioned in the USA Today ratings, rallied from behind in both games. Moody will play FAB 50 ranked San Antonio Reagan in a best-of-three series this week. With two losses, the Trojans will need one-loss teams Nova of Florida and Russell County of Alabama to fall in their state playoffs for them to have a chance at the final No. 1 ranking.
4. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) 26-2 (7)
The defending state Class 2A champion hiked its win streak to 23 games last week with a 7-2 regional semifinal victory over American Heritage of Delray Beach. Mitch Walker hurled a two-hitter with eight strikeouts. The Dade County team takes on Westminster Academy (25-3-1) of Fort Lauderdale this week in the regional finals.
5. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 31-3 (22)
Our preseason national No. 2 team is back in the debate about being No. 1 in the nation after absolutely destroying the field en route to winning its third straight Class 4A state title. An anticipated showdown in the title game between the Firebirds and top-seeded and nationally-ranked Catalina Foothills did indeed materialize. But it wasn't a game. Chaparral broke it open with two runs in the fifth and six in the sixth and wound up with a 10-0 mercy rule victory. It was the team's fourth straight mercy-rule win in the playoffs and the Firebirds also made it five state titles in seven years. All-American Ike Davis pitched three scoreless innings and hit a triple in the fifth inning against Catalina Foothills. Jason Jarvis added three hits and two RBI.
6. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 21-0 (21)
California's new No. 1 team rolled to three wins last week and has a chance to finish unbeaten in a strong playoff division. The Dragons, who are led by the one-two combo of Tyson Ross (Cal) and Rashad Tucker (Fresno State), will be entered in the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay playoffs, which includes other strong programs like Amador Valley of Pleasanton, California of San Ramon and De La Salle of Concord. Previous California No. 1 Chatsworth suffered a league loss last week to El Camino Real of Woodland Hills.
7. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) 23-0 (8)
The Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in Indiana, continued their unbeaten ways with three wins last week. Matt Snyder hurled a four-hitter in a 5-3 win over Pike of Indianapolis. Drew Storm struck out 12 and Lance Lynn belted a three-run homer in a 10-5 win over Lafayette Jefferson, which also bowed by 13-1 to Brownsburg.
8. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) 23-0-1 (9)
The defending state Division 1 champion had its 46-game win streak halted but the unbeaten run continues. Bedford High of Temperance tied Pioneer, 3-3, in a game called after seven innings because of darkness. In last week's final game, Pioneer downed Detroit Catholic Central,
6-2, behind the three-hit pitching of University of Michigan recruit and possible major league draftee, Zach Putnam. He struck out eight and didn't allow a hit after the second inning.
9. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) 18-0 (10)
Virginia's No. 1 ranked team, which is ignored in the USA Today rankings,
completed an unbeaten regular season and starts district playoff eliminations this week.Preseason All-America pitching ace Justin Bristow is 6-0 with an 0.21 earned run average with 58 strikeouts in 34 innings.
10. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) 31-0 (18)
The Mustangs advanced to this week's state Class A finals after eliminating two playoff opponents last week. North ousted Norfolk, 13-4, before outslugging Lincoln Pius X by 15-10. North ended as state runnerup a year ago with an underclass team and seek a rare spotless season with a title.
11. Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.) 23-3 (15)
Georgia's No. 1 ranked Class AAAA team swept Luella last week in the opening round of the state playoffs. The scores: 4-0 and 18-3. Earlier, Lee County had an 18-game win streak halted by Lowndes County, 10-3. This week. The best-of-three playoff opponent is Lakeside Evans.
12. Clovis West (Fresno. Calif.) 24-3 (12)
J.J. Jelmini ripped a triple and a home run to lead the Golden Eagles past
Clovis, 11-5, which avenged a loss from earlier last week to the same team. The strength of Clovis West's rankings argument is that it has two wins over the three teams it has lost to. The Golden Eagles also are going for their second straight CIF Central Section Div. I title.
13. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) 25-1 (13)
The Bears were idle last week while awaiting state tournament play. La Cueva will be seeking its third straight crown after recording back-to-back unbeaten seasons.
14. Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) 19-1 (17)
The Warriors continued their march toward a repeat state Division 2 title with four wins last week. In the final win, Walsh Jesuit routed Western Reserve Academy by 15-5 in a game shortened by the 10-run rule. Chris Gacom allowed one hit and struck out five in pitching three shutout innings.
15. James Monroe (Bronx, N.Y.) 26-1 (23)
New York's No. 1 ranked team continued its PSAL domination last week with a 16-0 rout of Alfred E. Smith. The offense was led by Aldalberto Santos with two hits and four runs batted in. James Monroe is 13-0 in league play and a favorite in the upcoming PSAL playoffs.
16. Springville (Springville, Utah) 22-1 (16)
The Red Devils won twice last week to advance to the semifinal round of the Class 4A state playoffs. They didn't move up in this week's rankings, though, because we happen to already know that they suffered a 6-4 loss this week to Lone Peak.
17. T. C. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) 20-2 (19)
The Mountain Athletic Conference champion Rams wrapped up regular season play and gear for this week's clash vs. North Gaston. Center fielder Cameron Maybin, a possible high major league draftee, is batting .646 with 14 home runs and 57 runs scored.
18. Poly (Riverside, Calif.) 22-3 (32)
The consensus No. 1 team in powerful Southern California ended the regular season with a 9-0 win over J.W. North of Riverside. LaCurtis Mayes keyed the victory with three hits and two RBI while also pitching a shutout with eight strikeouts. Poly will open the CIF Southern Section Div. I playoffs on Friday vs. Damien of La Verne (alma mater of Mark McGwire).
19. Roswell (Roswell, Ga.) 23-4 (25)
Georgia's No. 1 ranked Class AAAAA team swept Grayson last week in the opening round of the state playoffs. The scores were 6-5 and 17-8. Roswell takes on Kennesaw Mountain this week in a best-of-three series.
20. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) 26-4 (26)
The Highlanders captured two state Class 5A playoff victories last week from Austin Bowie. In the 15-0 second game rout, Kyle Drabek improved his mound mark to 10-0. The son of ex-major league Doug Drabek also belted his fifth home run. Next playoff foe is S.F. Austin.
21. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) 22-1 (30)
Ohio's No. 1 ranked Division 1 team advanced to this week's district
tournament with a 13-3 sectional final triumph over city rival St. Xavier.
22. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) 36-3 (35)
The Mustangs captured two wins last week -- by 4-3 over Dallas Christian and11-3 over Second Baptist. Nathan Newman improved his mound record to 10-1 vs. Second Baptist.
23. Lyons (La Grange, Ill.) 28-2 (29)
The top-ranked Illinois team split a doubleheader last week with Oak Park
(23-6) to set up a West Suburban Silver league title showdown this week. Lyons won the first game, 7-6, as Jack Holden scored on a wild pitch to cap a four-run sixth inning. Oak Park prevailed, 3-0, in the nightcap.
24. Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) 33-3 (38)
Reagan advanced last week in state Class 5A playoffs to face defending state champion and FAB 50 No. 2 Corpus Christi Moody. Last week, Reagan nipped O'Connor, 3-2, behind the pitching of Anthony Vasquez.
25. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) 35-3 (nr)
The Cougars handed previously ranked state No. 1 Madison Central its first two season losses in the best-of-three Class 5A semifinals. Winning 13 of its last 14 games, Northwest Rankin opened the finals last weekend with a 6-3 victory over Gulfport. Junior Todd McInnis (12-1), who hurled a one-hitter at Madison Central, stopped Gulfport on five hits.
THE NEXT 25:
26. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) 28-1 (1)
27. Calvert Hall (Towson, Md.) 29-1 (37)
28. Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.) 20-1 (42)
29. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) 26-3 (6)
30. Jesuit (New Orleans, La.) 34-5 (nr)
31. Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, Ala.) 40-5 (nr)
32. Kingwood (Humble, Texas) 28-5 (nr)
33. Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) 31-2-1 (47)
34. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) 32-2 (5)
35. Tulsa Union (Tulsa, Okla.) 35-8 (nr)
36. Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.) 32-4 (43)
37. Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.) 25-3 (45)
38. Tate (Cantonment, Fla.) 25-2 (46)
39. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) 24-4 (nr)
40. Saugus (Saugus, Calif.) 23-3 (50)
41. Poway (Poway, Calif.) 24-4 (24)
42. Collierville (Collierville, Tenn.) 28-4 (44)
43. Madison Central (Madison, Miss.) 31-2 (11)
44. North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.) 17-2 (nr)
45. Owasso (Owasso, Okla.) 33-6 (14)
46. St. Joseph (Montvale, N.J.) 19-2 (33)
47. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) 21-2 (36)
48. Palm Beach Central (Wellington, Fla.) 21-8 (nr)
49. Deering (Deering, Maine) 10-0 (nr)
50. Hahnville (Boutte, La.) 31-4 (20)
DROPPED OUT: No. 27 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.); No. 28 Douglas (Parkland, Fla.); No. 31 Richland (Richland, Wash.); No. 34 Flower Mound (Flower Mound, Texas); No. 39 Christian Brothers (Lincroft, N.J.); No. 40 Barbe (Lake Charles, La.); No. 41 Rose (Greenville, N.C.); No. 48 Cumberland, R.I.); No. 49 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, Fla.).
 | |
NEWS ALERT:
Dragons #1 in State of California
Cal-Hi Sports has ranked the Dragons as the #1 team in California for the first time in Bishop O'Dowd High School history on Tuesday after losses by Defending National Champion Chatsworth of Southern California and Clovis West of Fresno this week.
See article below:
May 16, 2005
BOD, Clovis West Lead New Baseball Top 20
Mark Tennis
CalHiSports Editor
It's going to be a wild finish to the California prep baseball season and the dream matchup could be in the North Coast Section if Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland gets to the Class 3A East Bay title game with an unbeaten record and perhaps faces Amador Valley of Pleasanton, which may get to that game with just one loss.
It's the possibility of such a matchup taking place which also is one of the main reasons why the Dragons are moving to the top of the state overall rankings this week. If O'Dowd, for example, was stuck in some lower-enrollment based division and didn't have the opportunity to play much tougher teams like Amador Valley, De La Salle of Concord, defending champion San Ramon Valley and perhaps others in one of the state's best playoff divisions, it would not have been placed in the No. 1 position this week.
Rashad Tucker of Oakland Bishop O'Dowd is one of two pitchers on the squad headed for a major Div. I college.
One of the critical factors in the state rankings system we've developed is to look ahead and build a No. 1 case for teams should they win out for the rest of their seasons. The worst thing you can do in any high school ranking is to drop a No. 1 team if it continues to win. The point is to do your deliberating well in advance and make it possible as the various seasons end for the No. 1 teams to stay there as long as they keep winning.
Previous state No. 1 Chatsworth, No. 2 Clovis West and No. 4 Poway all lost games last week to create room for O'Dowd, which would now have the best case to be No. 1 at the end of the season. Chatsworth's loss came by an 11-5 score to league rival El Camino Real of Woodland Hills.
We're well aware that there are some media members and coaches in the San Francisco Bay Area who do not even think that O'Dowd should be No. 1 in its region, let alone the state. The Dragons do not play in a strong league, but they did head down to San Jose over the Easter break and won top honors at one of the state's top tourneys, the West Coast Classic, and if they do finish unbeaten – which is quite rare in California prep history, Chatsworth's 35-0 last year notwithstanding – it will include the championship of a very strong playoff division.
Last week, Bishop O'Dowd continued its domination of Hayward Area Athletic League opponents with easy wins of 18-2 over Hayward, 10-1 over Tennyson of Hayward and 12-1 over San Lorenzo. Head coach Joel Kaufman didn't even use No. 1 pitcher Tyson Ross so he could gain some rest before the playoffs, but that didn't prevent O'Dowd from expanding its season scoring advantage over all opponents to 192-34.
Clovis West of Fresno began last week in the No. 2 position and will stay there this week despite losing early in the week to arch-rival Clovis, 3-1, in eight innings. The reason the Golden Eagles stayed so high is that they bounced back later in the week to rip Clovis, 11-5, and won their league title. In fact, if you look at the three teams that Clovis West has lost to – Central of Fresno, Buchanan and Clovis – those also are three teams that the Golden Eagles have beaten twice. J.J. Jelmini paced Clovis West's big bounceback win by ripping a bases-loaded double and hammering a solo homer.
All of the losses around the state last week were also beneficial to two other Bay Area schools, Amador Valley and Bellarmine. Unlike O'Dowd, those two teams do play in very difficult leagues. Amador Valley avenged its only loss, which came to Livermore, by blanking the Cowboys, 1-0, in a game last week. The Bells have already set a school record for most wins in a season and last week they followed up their round-robin title in the storied West Catholic Athletic League by taking the WCAL playoff crown. In many years, the team that wins the WCAL round-robin championship tends to get beat in the playoffs. Bellarmine has not beaten every team it has lost to (which is the case for Clovis West), but that could be a situation that will be taken care of in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Bellarmine coach Gary Cunningham certainly hopes his team doesn't suffer the same CCS fate as what happened to St. Francis of Mountain View last year. The Lancers were right there with Chatsworth and were unbeaten until late in the season. They lost in the WCAL playoffs and then were eliminated in the very first round of the CCS playoffs by Palo Alto.
In the CIF Southern Section, meanwhile, Riverside Poly has assumed a favorite's role for the Division I title in recent weeks and was ahead of Chatsworth in the L.A. Times' rankings even before the Chancellors lost to El Camino Real. The Bears were hoping to learn Monday that they've been seeded No. 1 in their division. The Southern Section also has two other teams with just three losses on the season – Saugus and Royal of Simi Valley – and another team with four losses that owns a head-to-head win over Riverside Poly – Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo – that may have what it takes to climb into the race for No. 1 in just a few weeks.
Chatsworth will have to drop behind Bishop O'Dowd, Clovis West, Riverside Poly and Amador Valley in this week's rankings, but remains a real threat to be No. 1 in the state for the second straight year. Despite their 11-5 loss to El Camino Real, the Chancellors still earned the top seed for the L.A. City Section playoffs and still won their league title. The best case scenario for Chatsworth is to even out its season series against El Camino at 2-2 by beating the Conquistadors in the playoffs, ending another successful run for the section title and hoping that all of the teams ahead of them get upset. This is baseball, folks, and upsets (if you can even call them that) are the norm.
Also dropping behind Riverside Poly and Amador Valley this week, not to mention Bellarmine and Saugus, is Poway. The Titans saw their recent hot streak cooled by a 6-0 loss to traditional power Rancho Bernardo. They still own two wins over the Broncos this year and have already clinched the Palomar League title. The extra loss doesn't hurt Poway much on the section level, but because of all of the other strong teams in the state with sterling records, it does mean that for the Titans to have any chance at being No. 1 in the state they will now have to win all of their playoff games and no longer have the luxury of losing a game and coming back to win the title in the section's double-elimination tourney. The Sac-Joaquin Section is the only other section in the state that utilizes a double-elimination element within its baseball playoffs.
Here are this week's overall state top 20 rankings:
(Writeups of all teams plus updated divisional and regional rankings will be posted on Tuesday)
1. (3) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 21-0
2. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 24-3
3. (5) Poly (Riverside) 22-3
4. (6) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 20-1
5. (1) Chatsworth 26-3
6. (7) Bellarmine (San Jose) 32-4
7. (8) Saugus 23-3
8. (4) Poway 24-4
9. (9) Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 21-4-1
10. (10) Royal (Simi Valley) 24-3
11. (11) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 24-4*
12. (14) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 25-5
13. (12) Buchanan (Clovis) 23-6
14. (13) Norco 20-4*
15. (15) Fallbrook 22-6
16. (16) Mitty (San Jose) 24-6
17. (17) Centennial (Bakersfield) 25-4
18. (19) Granite Hills (El Cajon) 23-5
19. (nr) Canyon (Anaheim) 21-5
20. (nr) De La Salle (Concord) 17-4
Current State Poll
May 18, 2005
Updated State Baseball Rankings
Mark Tennis & Andrew Drennen
CalHiSports Staff
(Tom Shanahan and Paul Loeffler also completed many of the writeups for this week's top 20 rankings)
(Thanks also to associate editor Harold Abend)
(After games of Saturday, May 14)
(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)
(For corrections or comments, email mark@studentsports.com)
1. (3) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 21-0
As stated earlier this week, it wasn't so much the Dragons rolled over three more Hayward Area Athletic League foes last week to keep them unbeaten that moved them up to the state's top ranking. It had more to do with three other top teams losing for either the third or fourth time and that O'Dowd would now have the strongest case for the final No. 1 ranking if all of the top teams don't lose for the rest of the season.
2. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 24-3
After dropping an eight-inning affair early last week at Clovis by a 3-1 margin, the Golden Eagles bared their claws in the regular season finale, getting home runs from Chris Swanson, Jared Bayman, and J.J. Jelmini to clobber the Cougars 11-5. Stanford-bound shortstop Jelmini, who played quarterback on the Eagles' section championship football squad, finished the game 2-for-3 with a triple, home run and four runs batted in. Mike Colla struck out seven in five innings, giving way to Robbie Thiessen, who fanned two more in the sixth before Luke Monteleone closed out the game, giving Clovis West its first league title since 1994. The Eagles drew the top seed in the Central Section Division I playoffs.
3. (5) Poly (Riverside) 22-3
LaCurtis Mayes threw a four-hitter for Riverside Poly in a 9-0 win over Riverside North. Mayes also struck out eight and went three for four with two RBIs. The Bears also beat Riverside North earlier in the week 4-2 and ended the regular season on a 10-game winning streak. Poly won its very first game of the season against Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta, a result that has gained in significance since then as Crescenta Valley only lost twice since then.
4. (6) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 20-1
Lefthanded pitcher David Rowse, a junior standout, hurled 5 1/3 innings of perfection as the Dons avenged their only loss of the season with a 1-0 win last week over Livermore. He finished with a two-hitter and struck out seven. Amador Valley, like O'Dowd, is gunning for a top seed in the North Coast Section Class 3A East Bay playoffs.
5. (1) Chatsworth 26-3
The Chancellors lost to El Camino Real last week 11-5 in their third meeting of the season against their league rivals. Matt Dominguez hit a three-run homer for Chatsworth, but El Camino batted around twice in the Chancellors' loss. Head coach Tom Muesborn's squad will start the playoffs against Fremont this week looking for another L.A. City Section crown. The Chancellors are seeded No. 1 in the playoffs and El Camino Real is No. 2. The title game is Tuesday, June 7, at Dodger Stadium.
Rich Gorman of San Jose Bellarmine gets ready to field a ground ball.
6. (7) Bellarmine (San Jose) 32-4
A 12-3 victory over Mitty of San Jose gave the Bells the West Catholic Athletic League playoff title. They won earlier in the week 12-0 vs. St. Ignatius of San Francisco and 9-2 vs. St. Francis of Mountain View. They weren't able to face the team they've lost to twice this year, Serra of San Mateo, because the Padres were taken care of by Mitty. Bellarmine opens the Central Coast Section Div. I playoffs on Wednesday against Piedmont Hills.
7. (8) Saugus 23-3
Thomas Milone improved to 9-1 and struck out seven for his first-ever perfect game in a 8-0 win over Canyon of Canyon Country. The possible Mr. Baseball State Player of the Year candidate also hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning for the Centurions. Saugus, which also beat Canyon 2-1 in its other game last week, has now won a school-record 18 consecutive games.
8. (4) Poway 24-4
Last week's ledger saw the Titans lose to Rancho Bernardo 6-0 and defeat Mt. Carmel, 5-2. Poway's win over Mt. Carmel clinched the Palomar League title, giving the Titans a three-game lead with two to play. UNLV-bound Xavier Scruggs was the winning pitcher as he improved to 6-0. But earlier in the week Poway was forced to settle for winning two out of three in the regular season from neighborhood rival Rancho Bernardo as the Broncos bounced back from 12-5 and 8-5 defeats. The loss snapped Poway's 11-game winning streak and was the Titans' first in Palomar League play.
9. (9) Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 21-4-1
Robert Purpura was 4-for-4 with three runs scored in a 9-1 over Mission Viejo. Capistrano Valley scored six runs on eight singles in the top of the seventh inning to break the game open. The Cougars also took care of business against Mission Viejo earlier in the week by winning 6-5. Their first CIFSS Div. I playoff game will be Friday against El Dorado of Placentia.
10. (10) Royal (Simi Valley) 24-3
The Highlanders played against Simi Valley this week in their only game and came away with a 10-1 win. D.J. Smith allowed only two hits in five scoreless innings on the mound. With the win, Royal won the Marmonte League title for the first time in seven years.
11. (11) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 24-4*
There was a slight chance that the Conquistadors might fall to a No. 3 seed in the L.A. City Section playoffs after their loss two weeks ago to Cleveland of Reseda, but it did not happen. Casey Green's triple put El Camino up 6-0 in its game against state No. 1 Chatsworth and they did not look back in a 11-5 triumph. The game started out as a pitcher's duel, but soon the offense woke up as El Camino batted around twice in the game. Next up for El Camino Real is a game against Westchester in the first round of the playoffs.
El Camino Real's Casey Greene, shown here in his Area Code Games photo from last summer, had key hit in big win over Chatsworth.
12. (14) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 25-5
Coach Sam Blaylock's squad had a strong week with wins over state-ranked Poway (6-0) and Westview (13-0). Junior right-hander Brian Wilson bounced back from a 12-5 loss to Poway to shut out the Titans with a two-hitter in a shutout that improved his season record to 9-1 with a 1.97 ERA. Wilson also stroked a two-run double in the first inning when the Broncos took a 3-0 lead. The win prevented Poway from clinching an outright Palomar League title with a three-game sweep of the Broncos. Against Westview, Wilson went 3-for-4 with eight RBI.
13. (12) Buchanan (Clovis) 23-6
The Bears earned the Central Section's No. 3 seed in Division I, closing out the season with a pair of wins over Central (Fresno). The first win was a marathon affair, with Jimmy Beddall singling home Justin Wilson in the bottom of the 10th inning to win it, 3-2. Wilson, who has signed with Fresno State, struck out 15 in nine innings in that game, then earned a save when he pitched the seventh inning of a 3-1 victory. The Bears open the 16-team playoff bracket against No. 14 seed Mt. Whitney (Visalia).
14. (13) Norco 20-4*
The Cougars brought out the big lumber as they closed the regular season piling on the runs in victories of 28-5 and 8-3 over Valley View of Moreno Valley. In the first of those two games, Toby Gerhart went 5-for-5 while Josh Romanski hammered a pair of homers and a pair of doubles. In the second game, Gerhart went 3-for-4 with a double while Kyle Legere also had three hits. Legere also was 4-for-5 in the first game of the week.
15. (15) Fallbrook 22-6
Last week's schedule had the Warriors defeating Oceanside 13-2 and Carlsbad 2-1. Fallbrook clinched the Avocado League title in the win over Carlsbad as Erik Castro hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. Clinching the title against Carlsbad was a sweet irony for Warriors coach Matt Parker as he is a former coach at Carlsbad. Against Oceanside, catcher Zane Chavez hit a two-run homer as the Warriors banged out 14 hits and benefitted from two errors.
16. (16) Mitty (San Jose) 24-6
Coach Bill Hutton's team extended a winning streak against WCAL opponents to nine games with victories of 3-1 and 7-3 over Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco and Serra of San Mateo in last week's league playoffs. The streak ended with a 12-3 loss to Bellarmine, but since the Bells are so high in the state rankings that loss doesn't effect Mitty's ranking at all.
17. (17) Centennial (Bakersfield) 25-4
The Golden Hawks landed the No. 2 seed in the Central Section Division I playoffs, and carry a 10-game winning streak into a first-round matchup with No. 15 seed Sanger. That matchup will be a familiar one for two-sport stars like Centennial's Brent Morel and Sanger's Robert Casarez and Jonathan Ovalle. The Apaches beat the Golden Hawks for the Division II football title in 2003, and lost to Centennial in the D-I playoffs this fall. Centennial tore through the final week of the regular season in typical blowout style, blasting North (Bakersfield) 13-0 and rocking Ridgeview (Bakersfield) 11-0.
18. (19) Granite Hills (El Cajon) 23-5
Yet another contender for the San Diego Section Div. I title, the Eagles downed Helix of La Mesa, 2-1, beat Steele Canyon of Spring Valley, 5-4, and shut out Valhalla of El Cajon, 2-0, in a strong week. In the win over Valhalla, Donnie Anderson improved to 6-1 with three-hitter. Catcher Nick Monette was 2-for-2 with an RBI double and Brian Humphries was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Granite Hills' win moved the Eagles into a half-game lead in the Grossmont South League standings over defending champion Valhalla with an 11-2 league mark to Valhalla's 10-2 record.
19. (nr) Canyon (Anaheim) 21-5
A 14-1 record in the Century League, which includes the likes of Placentia El Dorado, Villa Park, Tustin and others, is definitely a good thing. The Commanches clinched the league crown with a 7-3 win last week over Villa Park. Gregg Winger, a sophomore third baseman, led the way with three hits. Coach Joe Hoggatt's squad then ended the regular season with a 7-2 win vs. El Dorado. Canyon, which is No. 2 in the Orange County Register's rankings, open the CIFSS Div. I playoffs at home vs. El Toro.
20. (nr) De La Salle (Concord) 17-4
Eric Massingham pitched like the All-American candidate he's known as with a three-hitter and 11 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Freedom of Oakley. The Spartans also won last week by 6-3 over Liberty of Brentwood. That win avenged the team's only loss in Bay Valley Athletic League play. DLS also owns significant nonleague wins over Serra of San Mateo, St. Mary's of Stockton and Foothill of Palo Cedro.
State Baseball Rankings
By Division & Region
Note: Teams are matched as closely as possible with the playoff divisions they are in according to their section. These are not the same enrollment-based divisions the CIF uses for basketball. CIF Southern Section Division I teams are Division I for the state rankings, Division II is Division II, Division III and Division IV are Division III, Division V is Division IV, Division VI is Division V except for teams from High Desert, Alpha and De Anza leagues which are Division IV, Division VII is Division V. If you have a question about the division your school has been placed, email mark@studentsports.com.
Division I
1. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 24-3
2. (4) Poly (Riverside) 22-3
3. (1) Chatsworth 26-3
4. (5) Bellarmine (San Jose) 32-4
5. (6) Saugus 23-3
6. (3) Poway 24-4
7. (7) Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 21-4-1
8. (8) Royal (Simi Valley) 24-3
9. (9) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 24-4*
10. (10) Buchanan (Clovis) 23-6
11. (12) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 25-5
12. (11) Norco 20-4
13. (13) Fallbrook 22-6
14. (14) Mitty (San Jose) 24-6
15. (15) Centennial (Bakersfield) 25-4
Division II
1. (1) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 21-1
2. (5) Benicia 24-2
3. (2) Monte Vista (Danville) 15-5-1
4. (4) Loyola (Los Angeles) 22-5
5. (6) Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) 19-5
6. (nr) Woodland 24-4
7. (nr) California (San Ramon) 18-3
8. (3) Cypress 20-7
9. (nr) Lutheran (Orange) 21-6
10. (nr) Foothill (Palo Cedro) 21-5
On the Bubble: Cajon (San Bernardino) 21-5, El Capitan (Lakeside) 18-11, Grossmont (La Mesa) 21-7, Livermore 15-8, Los Gatos 22-5, Oxnard 20-6, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno) 17-7, Santa Cruz 25-7.
Division III
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 21-0
2. (2) Palm Desert 22-3
3. (3) La Quinta (Westminster) 24-4
4. (5) Petaluma 22-1
5. (6) Oakmont (Roseville) 22-3
6. (8) Tesoro (Las Flores) 20-6
7. (9) Campolindo (Moraga) 17-4
8. (nr) Mission Bay (San Diego) 20-7
9. (4) Temecula Valley (Temecula) 21-5
10. (nr) Ocean View (Huntington Beach) 20-5
On the Bubble: Acalanes (Lafayette) 17-5, Charter Oak (Covina) 20-4-1, Colony (Ontario) 19-5, Fresno 18-6, Gahr (Cerritos) 21-5, Kaiser (Fontana) 19-7, La Canada 17-3, Miramonte (Orinda) 18-4, Santana (Santee) 21-7, Serrano (Phelan) 16-1, Valhalla (El Cajon) 18-7.
Northern California
Overall Top 15
1. (2) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 21-0
2. (1) Clovis West (Fresno) 24-3
3. (3) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 21-1
4. (4) Bellarmine (San Jose) 32-4
5. (5) Buchanan (Clovis) 23-6
6. (6) Mitty (San Jose) 24-6
7. (7) Centennial (Bakersfield) 25-4
8. (11) De La Salle (Concord) 17-4
9. (10) Justin-Siena (Napa) 22-0
10. (9) Serra (San Mateo) 19-4-1
11. (12) Benicia 24-2
12. (8) Monte Vista (Danville) 15-5-1
13. (15) Elk Grove 22-5
14. (14) Liberty (Bakersfield) 23-6
15. (nr) St. Mary's (Stockton) 23-7
School Sports === Dragons Still #6 Nationally
Champion Presents: Baseball Top 25
By Jon Mahoney
Date: May 17, 2005
In this week’s National Baseball Top 25, No. 1 Russell County (Ala.) lost its first game of the season, but retains the top spot by winning two games to advance to the Class 5A state finals.
Rankings as of May 16, 2005
1. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) – (36-1) *1
Russell County suffered its first loss of the season, as the Warriors were shutout by Stanhope Elmore, 5-0, in the first game of the Class 5A state semifinals. Despite the loss, the Warriors went on to post back-to-back wins over Stanhope Elmore to advance to the state finals. Since it was in a playoff setting and Russell County advanced, it was hard to knock the Warriors from the top perch. In the first win, Cory Rasmus pitched a complete game two-hitter and struck out 15 in a 6-3 victory. Colby Rasmus earned the clinching victory by tossing a complete game three-hit shutout while striking out 10 as the Warriors won, 2-0. Russell County will face Pinson Valley in Game 1 of the state finals series on May 18.
2. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) – (29-2-1) *2
The Trojans earned two come-from-behind victories over Churchill to advance in the Class 5A Region IV area round. In the second game, Moody turned a one-run deficit in the seventh inning into a 4-2 victory to clinch the series. The Trojans will play San Antonio Reagan in the regional quarterfinals on May 20.
3. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – (24-0-1) *3
Pioneer had its 46-game winning streak snapped when its game against Temperance Bedford was called after seven innings due to darkness. Still, we feel this is no way to end the streak and Pioneer won’t drop from the rankings. The Ann Arbor News said Pioneer head coach Jerry Holley was uncertain if the game would be finished at a later date. The Pioneers earned their 24th win of the season with a 6-2 victory over Redford Catholic Central. Zach Putnam (5-0) picked up the win as he went the distance, striking out eight and allowing only three hits.
4. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) – (18-0) *4
Justin Bristow went 3-for-5 with a homer and five RBI as Mills Godwin remained undefeated with a 20-1 win over Maggie Walker.
5. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) – (23-0) *5
Brownsburg edged Pike, 5-3, as Matt Snyder hurled a four-hitter with six strikeouts.
6. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – (21-0) *6
The Dragons picked up three victories last week, including an 18-2 pasting of Hayward in which Rashad Tucker picked up his sixth victory of the season.
7. Nova (Davie, Fla.) – (27-1) *8
Nova defeated Gulf Coast, 11-2, in the Class 5A, Region 4 semifinals. Nova will play Barron Collier tonight for the regional title.
8. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) – (24-0) *10
Niwot won three games last week in the Class 4A state championship series. A 13-2 win over Longmont was the Cougars’ 45th consecutive victory, which ties Eaton for the longest winning streak in state history. Niwot plays Pueblo South on May 20.
9. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) – (26-2) *12
Florida Christian defeated American Heritage, 7-2, in the Class 2A, Region 4 semifinals. Florida Christian takes on a tough Westminster Academy (25-3) in the regional final tonight.
10. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – (31-3) *13
The Firebirds set a state record by winning their third consecutive Class 4A state title with a 10-0 victory over then-No. 23 Catalina Foothills in six innings. It was Chaparral’s fifth state title in seven years. The Firebirds won all four of their tournament games by 10-run mercy rules. Ike Davis and Charlie Brewer combined for the shutout and Jason Jarvis went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
SEASON OVER
11. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) – (26-4) *14
The Woodlands swept Austin Bowie in the Class 5A Region II area round and will play Austin S.F. Austin in the regional quarterfinals.
12. Deering (Deering, Maine) – (10-0) *15
Deering blanked Cheverus, 18-0, to move to 10-0 and stretch its unbeaten streak to 40 games.
13. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) – (36-3) *16
Northwest Rankin swept Gulfport, 6-3 and 5-4, in the Class 5A state championship finals. It was the first state title for the Cougars. In the series clincher, sophomore reliever Ben Wylie struck out two in the seventh inning, including a game-ending punchout with the bases loaded.
SEASON OVER
14. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) – (20-2) *18
Roberson hosts North Gaston today in the Class 3-A state playoffs.
15. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) – (25-1) *19
The Bears plays Rio Grande today in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament. Rio Grande snapped the Bears’ national-record 70-game winning streak with a 17-8 win in April.
16. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) – (23-1) *21
Elder defeated St. Xavier in the Division I sectional championship. The Panthers play the Troy-Wayne winner in the district finals on May 21.
17. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) – (32-0) *22
Millard North defeated Millard South, 12-2, in the first round of the state tournament. Jason Jewell had five RBI for the Mustangs, who play Millard West today in the second round.
18. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) – (36-3) *NR
Houston Christian enters the rankings after defeating Second Baptist, 11-3, in the TAPPS 5A state championship. The Mustangs had lost to Second Baptist in the TAPPS 4A state title game last year.
SEASON OVER
19. North Royalton (North Royalton, Ohio) – (24-0) *NR
The Bears, who captured their third Pioneer Conference title in three years, defeated Cleveland South in the sectional finals. Junior right-hander Dan Glozer, who leads a deep pitching staff, is 8-0 with four saves, a 1.46 ERA and 39 strikeouts.
20. Poway (Poway, Calif.) – (24-4) *17
Poway was blanked by new No. 21 Rancho Bernardo, 6-0. Poway remains ahead of Rancho Bernardo in the rankings by virtue of a better record and its two win over the Broncos this season.
21. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.) – (25-5) *NR
The Broncos are back in the rankings after defeating then-No. 17 Poway, 6-0. Poway drops to No. 21 with the loss. Rancho Bernardo, which was No. 3 in the preseason Top 25, still sits behind Poway despite the win because Poway has a better record and holds the series edge over the Broncos at 2-1.
22. St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) – (24-3) *NR
St. John’s defeated Paul VI Catholic, 4-0, to win its second Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title in the past six years.
SEASON OVER
23. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) – (24-3) *11
Clovis West lost to Clovis, 3-1, in eight innings on a walk-off homer by Jake Smith. But the Golden Eagles earned some revenge with an 11-5 victory over Clovis that clinched the Tri-River Athletic Conference title.
24. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) – (28-1) *7
The Sailors had their hopes of an undefeated season and a state championship ended thanks to a 6-2 loss to Palm Beach Central in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals. Despite the loss, Sarasota remains in the Top 25 after a terrific season in which the Sailors won their first 28 games.
SEASON OVER
25. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) – (32-3) *23
Catalina Foothills lost to new No. 10 Chaparral in the Class 4A state championship. It was the second straight year the Falcons lost to Chaparral in the state title game. Still, Catalina Foothills doesn’t drop from the rankings because it tied a Class 4A state record this season with 32 wins while advancing to the state title game.
SEASON OVER
| |
Baseball America> Dragons #11 in Country
Click on link above for rankings
Perfect Game has Dragons #2 in State
RNK SCHOOL RECORD LEAGUE SECTION LAST WK
1 Clovis West 24-3, 12-3 TRAC League Central Section 1
2 Bishop O'Dowd 21-0, 14-0 Hayward Area League North Coast Section 2
3 Bellarmine Prep 32-4, 14-3 West Catholic League Central Coast Section 4
4 Riverside Poly 22-3, 15-0 IVY League Southern League 6
5 Centennial 25-4, 10-0 South West Yosemite League Central Section 7
6 Rancho Bernardo 25-5, 9-4 Palomar League San Diego Section 8
7 Cresenta Valley 22-3, 13-2 Pacific League Southern Section 11
8 Poway 24-4, 12-1 Palomar League San Diego Section 5
9 Amador Valley 19-1, 8-1 East Bay League North Coast Section 9
10 El Camino Real 24-6, 12-3 West Valley League LA City Section 12
11 Chatsworth 26-3, 13-2 West Valley League LA City Section 3
12 Mitty 24-6, 12-5 West Catholic League Central Coast Section 10
13 Benicia 24-2, 15-0 Solano County League Sac-Joaquin Section 13
14 South Gate 28-4, 15-0 Eastern League LA City League 14
15 Mater Dei 19-8, 8-4 Serra League Southern Section 15
16 Capistrano Valley 21-4-1, 11-4 South Coast League Southern Section 16
17 Buchanan 21-6, 10-4 TRAC League Central Section 21
18 Stockdale 23-5, 8-2 South West Yosemite League Central Section 22
19 St Francis 21-9, 9-7 West Catholic League Central Coast Section 18
20 La Quinta 22-4, 11-1 Garden Grove League Southern Section 26
21 Elk Grove 23-5, 16-3 Delta League Sac-Joaquin Section 31
22 Arcadia 20-6, 11-4 Pacific League Southern Section 17
23 Royal 23-3, 11-3 Marmonte League Southern Section 30
24 Temecula Valley 21-5, 13-2 Southwestern League Southern Section 25
25 Serra 19-7-1, 11-5 West Catholic League Central Coast Section 24
26 Saugus 23-3, 14-1 Foothill League Southern Section 32
27 Chino 20-6, 10-5 Sierra League Southern Section 19
28 Fallbrook 22-6, 12-1 Avocado League San Diego Section 33
29 Canyon 21-5, 14-1 Century League Southern Section 37
30 Norco 20-4-1, 13-1 Mountain View League Southern Section 39
31 Granite Hills 22-5, 10-2 Grossmont South League San Diego Section 44
32 Justin-Siena 22-0, 14-0 Marin County League North Coast Section 40
33 Loyola 22-5, 10-2 Mission League Southern Section 36
34 Los Gatos 23-5, 16-3 SCVAL Central Coast Section 27
35 Kennedy 19-5, 11-1 Valley Mission League LA City Section 41
36 Chaminade 21-7, 10-2 Mission League Southern Section 35
37 Aliso Niquel 19-5, 12-3 Sea View League Southern Section 46
38 Woodland 24-4, 16-2 Sierra Foothill League Sac-Joaquin Section 49
39 Petaluma 22-1, 17-1 Sonoma County League North Coast Section NR
40 Tokay 22-6, 16-3 San Joaquin Athletic Association Sac-Joaquin Section NR
41 Santa Margarita 16-10, 7-5 Sierra League Southern Section 34
42 Millikan 21-9, 9-3 Moore League Southern Section 38
43 Palm Desert 22-3, 14-1 Desert Valley League Southern Section 42
44 Cypress 20-7, 14-1 Empire League Southern Section 43
45 Bishop Amat 16-8, 6-6 Serra League Southern Section 23
46 Foothill 21-5, 12-2 Eastern Athletic League Northern Section 50
47 Gahr 21-5, 13-2 San Gabriel Valley League Southern Section NR
48 Esperanza 18-8, 9-6 Sunset League Southern Section 47
49 Jesuit 20-8, 13-6 Delta League Sac-Joaquin Section 20
50 St Mary's 23-7, 16-2 San Joaquin Athletic Association Sac-Joaquin Section NR
O'Dowd Hold #6 National Spot with 18-0 record
Champion Presents: Baseball Top 25
By Jon Mahoney
Date: May 10, 2005
In this week’s National Baseball Top 25, three teams drop out of the rankings, including former No. 8 Madison Central (Miss.) , which was swept in the Class 5A state semifinals by new No. 16 Northwest Rankin (Miss.).
Rankings as of May 10, 2005
1. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) – (34-0) *1
Russell County defeated Paul Bryant, 10-3, and 9-2 in 11 innings in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. Kasey Kiker went 2-for-3 with two homers and six RBI in the first game. In the second game, the Warriors trailed, 2-1, in the top of the seventh. Kuyaunnis Miles tied the game with a sacrifice fly and the Russell County offense exploded for seven runs in the 11th inning.
2. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) – (26-2-1) *2
Moody plays Churchill in a best of three series in the Class 5A Region 4 area round on May 13.
3. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – (20-0) *3
Pioneer swept Adrian, 1-0 and 13-3, to extend its winning streak to 43 games. Zach Putnam had a three-run triple, two homers and nine RBI in the 13-3 victory.
4. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) – (15-0) *4
Mills Godwin remains undefeated at 15-0.
5. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) – (20-0) *5
Drew Storen fanned 11 and Nick Shipley had a homer and three RBI as Brownsburg defeated Avon, 5-1.
6. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – (18-0) *6
The Dragons blanked San Leandro, 3-0, to move to 18-0 on the season. Tyson Ross earned the complete-game shutout, striking out five.
7. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) – (27-0) *7
The Sailors blanked Durant, 9-0, in the Class 6A, District 6 championship. Blake Bockhold, Troy Graybill and Jake Hlavach combined for the three-hit shutout. Sarasota will play Freedom tonight in the Class 6A, Region 2 quarterfinals.
8. Nova (Davie, Fla.) – (23-1) *9
Pablo Lopez improved to 13-1 on the season as he tossed his ninth shutout of the season in Nova’s 3-0 win over Cooper City in the District 16-5A championship. Nova plays Northeast tonight in the Class 5A, Region 4 quarterfinals.
9. Flower Mound (Flower Mound, Texas) – (25-4) *10
Flower Mound takes on Southlake Carroll in the Class 5A, Region 1 area round of May 14.
10. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) – (21-0) *11
Niwot won three games last week and will close its regular season against Golden on May 13.
11. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) – (23-2) *13
Clovis West earned two 7-2 victories over Madera last week.
12. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) – (24-2) *14
J.C. Perez went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBI as Florida Christian captured the District 15-2A championship with an 11-5 win over Dade Christian. Florida Christian plays Palmer Trinity tonight in the Class 2A, Region 4 quarterfinals.
13. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – (25-3) *15
The Firebirds earned their 12 consecutive East Sky Region title with a 20-3 win over Saguaro. Chaparral plays McClintock tonight in the second round of the Class 4A state tournament.
14. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) – (23-4) *17
The Woodlands plays Austin Bowie in the Class 5A, Region 2 area round on May 14.
15. Deering (Deering, Maine) – (6-0) *18
Deering defeated Sanford, 11-1. The defending Class A state champion Rams own a 36-game unbeaten streak.
16. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) – (34-3) *NR
Northwest Rankin debuts this high in the Top 25 because it swept then-No. 8 and undefeated Madison Central, 5-4 and 2-0, in the Class 5A state semifinals. Junior right-hander Todd McInnis pitched a two-hitter in the second game with 13 strikeouts. The Cougars will play Gulfport for the Class 5A state championship in a best-of-three series starting May 14.
17. Poway (Poway, Calif.) – (23-3) *19
Poway defeated Torrey Pines, 10-0, and Westview, 10-2.
18. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) – (19-2) *20
Roberson earned victories over Smoky Mountain, Swain County and East Henderson last week.
19. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) – (25-1) *21
The Bears will play the winner of Valley and Rio Grande in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament on May 17. Rio Grande would present an interesting matchup since it snapped the Bears’ national-record 70-game winning streak this season.
20. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) – (25-2) *22
Chatsworth blanked Cleveland, 3-0, and Granada Hills, 11-0.
21. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) – (21-1) *23
Elder finished the regular season 21-1 with a 1-0 shutout of Colerain. Charlie Leesman went the distance for the win, while striking out 11.
22. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) – (30-0) *24
Millard North defeated Norfolk, 13-4, in the District 3 semifinals. The Mustangs play Lincoln Pius X tonight for the district title.
23. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) – (29-2) *12
Foothills lost to Sabino, 3-1, in the Class 4A Kino Region tournament championship. Foothills rebounded to blank Cactus, 9-0, in the first-round of the Class 4A state tournament. John James pitched a complete-game, two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts. Foothills plays Moon Valley in the second round tonight.
24. Richland (Richland, Wash.) – (16-0) *NR
Richland’s undefeated start in a competitive baseball area earns it a spot in our Top 25.
25. Cumberland (Cumberland, R.I.) – (12-1) *NR
Cumberland enters the Top 25 after handing then-No. 25 Bishop Hendricken its first loss of the season with a 4-3 victory. The win snapped Hendricken’s 34-game winning streak.
Contra Costa Times Prep Poll
Posted on Tue, May. 17, 2005
Times prep baseball poll
Rank School Record Comment
1. Bishop O'Dowd 21-0 Dragons' last shot at a regular-season loss is Thursday vs. Castro Valley
2. Amador Valley 19-1 Dons square off with Cal twice this week with EBAL title on the line
3. California 18-3 Grizzlies have won four straight entering today's showdown with AV
4. De La Salle 17-4 Spartans have won nine in a row, closing in on BVAL crown
5. Clayton Valley 18-4 Eagles need a lot of help to take BVAL title from De La Salle
6. Monte Vista 15-5-1 Granada stuns Mustangs, all but ending EBAL title hopes
7. Campolindo 17-4 Cougars need to win one more for first league title since 2000
T8. Livermore 15-8 Cowboys' last two losses by a total of two runs
T8. Head-Royce 17-0 Jayhawks still perfect entering last week of the season
10. Miramonte 18-4 Loss to Northgate all but ends Matadors' DFAL title hopes
SF Chronicle Rankings
School W-L Prv
1. Bishop O'Dowd 18-0 1
2. Bellarmine 29-4 2
3. Amador Valley 18-1 3
4. Justin-Siena 20-0 4
5. Mitty 22-5 5
6. Serra 18-6-1 9
7. Monte Vista 14-4-1 7
8. Miramonte 17-3 6
9. De La Salle 15-4 10
10. California 16-3 11
11. St. Francis 20-8 12
12. Valley Christian 20-9 8
13. Petaluma 18-1 13
14. Los Gatos 22-4 14
15. Montgomery 16-1 15
16. Clayton Valley 16-4 16
17. Campolindo 15-4 17
18. Head-Royce 14-0 20
19. Livermore 15-6 18
20. Acalanes 15-5 19
Records through Monday
FAB 50 Poll Released
ay 12, 2005
FAB 50 Rankings: Sarasota Still No. 1
Doug Huff
StudentSportsBaseball.com Senior Editor
Contributing: Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Sheldon Shealer.
Note: Won-Loss Records through May 8; previous ranking in parentheses.
1. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) 27-0 (1)
The Sailors continue their unbeaten ways in the Sunshine State Class 6A playoffs. Last week, three lefthanded pitchers combined on the Sailors' third consecutive shutout -- a 9-0 win over Durant for the District 6 title. Blake Bockhold allowed three hits the first three innings. Troy Graybill yielded two hits in the fourth. Jake Hlavich gave up two hits and two walks in the final three frames.
2. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) 34-0 (2)
The Warriors advanced to the state Class 5A semifinals with a two-game sweep last week of Paul W. Bryant High of Tuscaloosa, 10-3 and 9-2. The second game went 11innings with the Warriors scoring seven runs highlighted by David Browder's home run. Kasey Kiker (11-0) won the first game and also hit two home runs, including a grand slam, Colby
Rasmus, with 22 season homers, received three intentional walks. The Warriors will next host Stanhope Elmore (35-6) in the best-of-three semifinals.
3. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) 23-2-1 (3)
The defending state Class 5A champion had a bye last week after capturing the District 28 regular season title. The Trojans, which aren't mentioned regionally or nationally in the USA Today rankings, open post-season tournament play this weekend with a best-of-three series against Churchill of San Antonio.
4. Nova (Davie, Fla.) 25-1 (4)
The defending state Class 5A champion opened post-season play last week by captuing the District 16 title with a 3-0 victory over Cooper City in the finals. Nova's lone loss this season was to Class 5A District 15 winner, and FAB 50 ranked St. Thomas Aquinas of Fort Lauderdale.
5. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) 29-1 (5)
John James twirled a two-hitter and struck out 11 batters as Arizona's No.1-ranked squad opened the Class 4A state playoffs with a 9-0 win over Cactus. Catalina Foothills has already won a second-round game this week and it would be something if we get a Catalina Foothills-Chaparral final.
6. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) 25-2 (6)
Last year's CalHiSports.com State Freshman Player of the Year, Matt
Dominguez, belted a three-run homer in the fifth inning to help the Chancellors defeat Cleveland of Reseda, 3-0, last week. It was a result that gained in significance later on when Cleveland beat FAB 50-ranked El
Camino Real.
7. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) 24-2 (12)
One of the hottest teams in the land hiked its victory streak to 21 games last week with an 11-5 victory over Dade Christian to wrap up the Class 2A, District 15 title. Florida Christian's stock has been helped with an early season victory over Georgia's top-ranked team, Lee County.
8. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) 20-0 (8)
The Bulldogs continue to impress in the Hoosier State. Last week, they defeated Avon twice by 5-1 and 9-2. In the first game, Mike Shipley beled a three-run homer. In the 9-2 win, Cory Dragstrem hit a three-run homer and Lance Lynn (7-0) struck out 13 batters. Lynn has 68 strikeouts in 43 innings this season.
9. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) 20-0 (9)
Preseason All-America shortstop-pitcher Zach Putnam continues to make a case for post-season honors as the defending state Division 1 champion hiked its win streak to 43 games. Pioneer swept Adrian 1-0 and 13-3 last week as Putnam batted in nine runs in the rout with two homers and a three-run triple.
10. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) 15-0 (10)
The unbeaten ways continue for Virginia's top-ranked team but the string of shutouts ended last week at five games. Mills Godwin, however, cruised to a 9-2 victory over J.R. Tucker for its second seven-run win over that team.
11. Madison Central (Madison, Miss.) 31-1 (7)
Mississippi's top-ranked team had its 31-game win streak ended last week in the first game of a best-of-three state Class 5A semifinal series vs. Northwest Rankin, 5-4 in eight innings. Josh DeMoney had a double and two singles. Drew Hegi belted a homer and single.
12. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) 23-2 (11)
The Golden Eagles might have moved up this week after winning twice last week by 7-2 scores over Madera. It's just that we happen to already know that they've lost early this week to arch-rival Clovis. If Clovis West wins the second game of the set, the drop in next week's rankings may not be that much.
13. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) 25-1 (13)
The Bears are on course to win their third straight state title. Last week, La Cueva scored two shutouts over Del Norte by 6-0 and 13-0 while allowing only one hit. The Bears vaulted to an 8-0 cushion after the first two innings of the second game.
14. Owasso (Owasso, Okla.) 29-3 (15)
Oklahoma's top-ranked Class 6A team continues to impress. Last week, Owasso won two games vs. Ponca by easy scores of 12-3 and 12-2.
15. Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.) 23-2 (nr)
The hottest team in Georgia is Class AAAA No. 1 ranked Lee County, which stretched its win streak to 18 games last week with two victories over Ware County, 6-5 and 13-4. Lee County is unbeaten vs. instate foes this season, and the only two Florida teams it has lost to happens to be FAB 50 No. 1 Sarasota in a 2-1 nail-biter and FAB 50 No. 7 Florida
Christian in another close game (score: 4-2).
16. Springville (Springville, Utah) 20-1 (17)
Sam Shanzle and Blake Thompson have provided outstanding pitching depth behind All-American Mark Pawelek, which makes the Red Devils the favorite in the Class 4A state playoffs. Springville's first-round game early this week against Logan was rained out.
17. Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) 15-1 (18)
The Warriors continue to march toward a repeat state Division 2 title bid.
Last week, the Warriors routed Akron East, 29-7, in an inning-shortened sectional semifinal contest. Three players hit home runs -- Blake Chaffee, Nick Haught and Trey Bennett. In the Cleveland Indians Charities Hardball Classic, Chad Rodgers hurled a one-hit shutout and struck out 14 in a 4-0 win over Tallmadge.
18. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) 29-0 (19)
Nebraska's No. 1 ranked Class A team continues to roll. Last week, North defeated Omaha North, 9-3, as Evan Porter drove in two runs with two hits. Against Creighton Prep, North scored nine times on seven hits in the second inning to spark a 14-3 victory.
19. T.C. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) 18-2 (20)
North Carolina's top-ranked team added two wins last week including a victory over Tuscola. Seth Laughter (7-0) picked up the victory.
20. Hahnville (Boutte, La.) 31-3 (21)
The No. 1 Louisiana Class 5A team defeated West Jefferson of Harvey, 12-5, last week to advance to this week's game at Covington St. Paul. A win would qualify Hahnville for the state tournament which opens Friday in Metairie.
21. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 18-0 (22)
Coach Joel Kaufman's team did a dance with stormy weather last week and only got one game on the books, a 3-0 victory over San Leandro. Pitcher Tyson Ross got the shutout and upped his own ledger to 8-0.
22. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 26-3 (23)
The Firebirds kept pace with Catalina Foothills in the Class 4A state playoffs with a 10-0 win early this week against McClintock of Phoenix in the second-round of the tourney. Chaparral is going for its third straight state crown.
23. James Monroe (Bronx, N.Y.) 23-1 (24)
New York's No. 1 ranked team belted Clinton twice last week as Victor Aracena enjoyed a productive two-game effort. He knocked in six runs in a 16-6 win and then went 4-for-5 with four RBI in the second victory over Clinton.
24. Poway (Poway, Calif.) 23-3 (25)
Dominic Ackerman clubbed a grand slam homer as the Titans downed Westview of San Diego, 10-2, in a game last week that clinched their first league title since 1990. The powerful San Diego area's top-ranked team also won last week, 10-0, over Torrey Pines behind pitcher Brad McAtee's two-hitter.
25. Roswell (Roswell, Ga.) 21-4 (14)
A wild 11-10 loss to Lassiter of Marietta dropped Roswell in this week's ratings, but the team also won three times in a busy week so it remained in the top 25. The wins were by 12-1 vs. Woodstock, 8-7 vs. Walton and 14-4 vs. Sequoyah.
THE NEXT 25;
26. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) 24-4 (26)
27. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 23-4 (27)
28. Douglas (Parkland, Fla.) 25-2 (31)
29. Lyons (La Grange, Ill.) 25-1 (32)
30. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) 21-1 (30)
31. Richland (Richland, Wash.) 16-0 (33)
32. Poly (Riverside, Calif.) 20-3 (36)
33. St. Joseph (Montvale, N.J.) 14-1 (37)
34. Flower Mound (Flower Mound, Texas) 26-3-2 (38)
35. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) 34-3 (39)
36. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) 17-1 (44)
37. Calvert Hall (Towson, Md.) 24-1 (45)
38. Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) 32-3 (28)
39. Christian Brothers (Lincroft, N.J.) 17-1 (34)
40. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.) 34-4 (43)
41. Rose (Greenville, N.C.) 21-2 (42)
42. Amador Valley (Pleasanton Calif.) 19-1 (48)
43. Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.) 29-4 (49)
44. Collierville (Collierville, Tenn.) 28-4 (35)
45. Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.) 22-3 (47)
46. Tate (Cantonment, Fla.) 23-2 (50)
47. Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) 30-2-1 (nr)
48. Cumberland (Cumberland, R.I.) 12-1 (nr)
49. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, Fla.) 22-3 (nr)
50. Saugus (Saugus, Calif.) 21-3 (nr)
O'Dowd Now #3 in State
May 10, 2005
Updated State Baseball Rankings
Mark Tennis
CalHiSports Editor
(Tom Shanahan and Paul Loeffler completed many of the writeups for this week's top 20 rankings)
(Thanks also to associate editor Harold Abend)
(After games of Saturday, May 7)
(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Chatsworth 25-2
The Chancellors didn't give up a run last week in victories of 3-0 over Cleveland of Reseda and 11-0 over Granada Hills. The Cleveland win then gained some significance as that team turned around later in the week and upset previous state No. 3 El Camino Real. Darren Norris, who also pitched a shutout the week before against El Camino Real, came through again vs. Cleveland with a two-hitter and five strikeouts. Chatsworth broke a 0-0 tie in the fifth inning on a three-run homer by sophomore Matt Dominguez.
2. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 23-2
Head coach Tim Thiessen's Golden Eagles clinched at least a share of the Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference title with their second straight 7-2 win over Madera last Friday. Arizona-bound ace Mike Colla struck out 10 Coyote batters, while Clemson-bound catcher Jameson Smith delivered a bases-loaded double in a five-run fourth inning. The Eagles finish the regular season this week with a home-and-home against archrival Clovis.
3. (4) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 18-0
The O'Dowd defense took its turn under the spotlight by playing flawless defense behind pitcher Tyson Ross (8-0) in a 3-0 win over San Leandro under the lights of San Leandro Ballpark. The second game of the week versus San Lorenzo was stopped in the first inning by torrential rains and will be made up this week in a three-game week for the Dragons.
4. (5) Poway 23-3
A 10-2 win over Westview clinched the Titans' first Palomar League title since 1990. Xavier Scruggs and Dominic Ackerman both homered in the game, with Ackerman's blast a grand slam. Ackerman, a junior infielder, is the son of CIF San Diego Seciton commissioner Dennis Ackerman, In a 10-0 win last week over Torrey Pines, UC Davis-bound Brad McAtee improved to 6-2 as he tossed a two-hitter while striking out eight with no walks.
5. (6) Poly (Riverside) 20-3
The young Bears, who have only three seniors on their roster, stayed on track to perhaps earn the top seed in the CIF Southern Section Div. I playoffs with a pair of wins over defending champion Arlington. In a 9-2 win over Arlington that capped the week, Mike O'Neill hit a home run while both Scott Marisnick and Lacurtis Mayes each collected two hits.
6. (7) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 19-1
The Dons beat league rival and state-ranked Monte Vista, 3-2, last week in an extra-inning game won by ace Robbie Learned. Senior Brian Riotoc smacked a double in the ninth inning to drive in the winning run. Amador won its other game last week also by 3-2 and also in extra-innings over San Ramon Valley of Danville. A home run in the top of the eighth by Patrick Glenn accounted for the game-winning run.
Robert Pappenhouse of San Jose Bellarmine is about to throw out a batter at first from his infield position.
7. (8) Bellarmine (San Jose) 29-4
Coach Gary Cunningham's squad stayed atop the West Catholic Athletic League standings with wins of 1-0 at home against Valley Christian of San Jose and 3-0 at Moscone Field in San Francisco against Sacred Heart Cathedral. In their previous meeting, Valley Christian posted a 7-5 win over the Bells. In fact, all of Bellarmine's losses are to WCAL opponents and two of those are to Serra. If the Bells are able to beat Serra in the upcoming WCAL or CCS playoffs and then go on to win the CCS title, their case for a high state and national ranking will be a very strong one.
8. (9) Saugus 21-3
The Centurions stretched their winning streak to 16 games and have wrapped up their league title (same one that includes Valencia and Hart) with one week to go in the regular season. No-brainer league MVP Thomas Milone has a .507 batting average to go with a 0.77 ERA. Continued success like that also will make Milone a strong Mr. Baseball State Player of the Year candidate.
9. (10) Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 19-4-1
The Orange County Register's No. 1 team is hopefully past a rough stretch in which it lost three of four games. Last week, the Cougars swept a pair from San Clemente by 7-6 and 12-0. The team's last two regular season games are against crosstown rival Mission Viejo.
10. (14) Royal (Simi Valley) 22-3
A pitching threesome of Grady Ihnat, David Smith and Cory Vane limited Moorpark to three hits in a 1-0 win last week that helped put the Highlanders back into first-place in the Marmonte League. After that game, Moorpark came back to take out state-ranked Agoura while Royal added a 7-2 triumph over Thousand Oaks. The Highlands close out the regular season Wednesday against Simi Valley.
11. (3) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 22-4*
A 5-4 loss to Cleveland of Reseda dropped the Conquistadors out of the top 10 in this week's rankings. They did win in two other games last week, though, and did so easily by 10-0 over Taft of Woodland Hills and 14-4 over Birmingham of Lake Balboa. This week, ECR will take its third crack at No. 1 Chatsworth. It will now be tougher for the team to be No. 1 in the state even with a win over Chatsworth, which would be its second of the season, but it sure would feel good to knock Chatsworth off of that pedestal.
12. (13) Buchanan (Clovis) 21-6
The Bears cruised past Clovis East, 8-0, in their first game of last week but had a much tougher time when the two teams met again last Friday. Buchanan had to rally in the seventh inning. Ryan Smith, who is headed to UC Davis on a football scholarship, launched a three-run homer to get the Bears to within one at 7-6. Then Brandon Prieto, whose brother Jeff is the Clovis East coach, ruined big brother's day by tying the game with a single to left field. In the eighth, Smith came through again, driving in the winning run as the Bears escaped 8-7.
13. (16) Norco 18-4*
It was a super week for the Cougars as they swept a pair from Corona Santiago and clinched the Mountain View League title. Santiago has been a state top 20 team for most of the season, but has now lost to Norco three times. Ryan Cunniff gave up a couple of early runs, but settled down and led Norco to a 9-2 win in the second of the two games. The junior standout also went 3-for-5 with the bat and had two RBI. Earlier in the week, Norco downed Santiago, 5-2, as Toby Gerhart hammered a three-run homer.
14. (17) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 23-5
Last week, the Broncos defeated Mt. Carmel 15-2 and La Costa Canyon 2-1 in nine innings. Brian Wilson beat Mt. Carmel at the plate and on the mound as he improved to 9-1 while going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI. John Drennen also poked his section-leading 15th home run. Against LCC, sophomore Austin Haynal came on in relief of John Dutton in the ninth inning to pick up his fourth win against one loss.
15. (19) Fallbrook 20-6
Arizona-bound first baseman David Plante, the Avocado League Player of the Year as a junior, connected for two home runs, his eighth and ninth of the season, and catcher Zane Chavez also homered as the Warriors downed El Camino of Oceanside, 10-2. Then against Rancho Buena Vista, in a 6-2 triumph,Cody Burgener hit a second-inning grand slam and the defense turned three double plays as pitcher Mike Leake improved to 7-3. Fallbrook has won 10 straight games.
16. (nr) Mitty (San Jose) 22-5
Jason Codiroli smashed three of the Monarchs' six home runs in a 11-6 win over Riordan of San Francisco that capped an impressive 3-0 week. Codiroli, nephew of former Oakland A's pitcher Chris Codiroli, had seven RBI to go with the home runs and also came in to pitch the sixth and seventh innings. Mitty also posted wins last week of 9-0 over St. Francis of Mountain View and 6-2 over St. Ignatius of San Francisco.
17. (20) Centennial (Bakersfield) 22-4
The Golden Hawks notched a huge win last week when Ryan Huston tossed a two-hit 3-0 shutout against the Stockdale Mustangs. A Mustang victory would have created a tie atop the Southwest Yosemite League, but Huston's dominating, seven-strikeout performance put the Hawks in the driver's seat. Centennial also won a game last week by 8-1 over South of Bakersfield.
18. (11) Monte Vista (Danville) 14-4-1
ASU-bound fireballer Jeff Lynman again pitched well in last week's showdown against Amador Valley, but for the third time this year the Mustangs were equally held down and wound up on the short end of a 3-2 score. Coach Bill Piona's squad bounced back to shut out Livermore, 3-0, on a complete game, seven-strikeout outing by Mike Cassady. Chase Brannan led the offense with a pair of doubles while John Swidinski homered.
19. (nr) Granite Hills (El Cajon) 20-5
The Grossmont South League frontrunners downed Monte Vista of Spring Valley twice last week by scores of 10-3 and 6-1. Nick Monette connected for his seventh home run of the season and Donnie Anderson improved to 5-1 in the first win over the Monarchs.
20. (nr) Serra (San Mateo) 18-6-1
The Padres closed out their West Catholic Athletic League regular season schedule with shutout wins of 9-0 over Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco and 2-0 over Valley Christian of San Jose. The win over Valley Christian also avenged an earlier loss. The Padres also own a pair of wins against No. 7 Bellarmine and their tie happens to have come against state No. 18 Monte Vista. The WCAL playoffs are on tap for this week and if previous history is an indicator, watch for one of non-ranked teams (like St. Francis) to emerge on top and then there will be another different team from that which will win the CCS title.
State Baseball Rankings
By Division & Region
Note: Teams are matched as closely as possible with the playoff divisions they are in according to their section. These are not the same enrollment-based divisions the CIF uses for basketball. CIF Southern Section Division I teams are Division I for the state rankings, Division II is Division II, Division III and Division IV are Division III, Division V is Division IV, Division VI is Division V except for teams from High Desert, Alpha and De Anza leagues which are Division IV, Division VII is Division V. If you have a question about the division your school has been placed, email mark@studentsports.com.
It was a good week for Mike Torres and the rest of the team at Mater Dei of Santa Ana as the Monarchs swept a pair from Santa Margarita. See SoCal overall top 20 below.
Division I
1. (1) Chatsworth 25-2
2. (3) Clovis West (Fresno) 23-2
3. (4) Poway 23-3
4. (5) Poly (Riverside) 20-3
5. (6) Bellarmine (San Jose) 29-4
6. (7) Saugus 21-3
7. (8) Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo) 19-4-1
8. (11) Royal (Simi Valley) 22-3
9. (2) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 22-4*
10. (10) Buchanan (Clovis) 21-6
11. (13) Norco 18-4
12. (14) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) 23-5
13. (nr) Fallbrook 20-6
14. (nr) Mitty (San Jose) 22-5
15. (nr) Centennial (Bakersfield) 22-4
Division II
1. (1) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 19-1
2. (2) Monte Vista (Danville) 14-4-1
3. (9) Cypress 17-6
4. (3) Loyola (Los Angeles) 22-5
5. (nr) Benicia 22-2
6. (4) Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo) 17-5
7. (nr) Santana (Santee) 19-6
8. (8) Grossmont (La Mesa) 19-6
9. (6) Los Gatos 21-4
10. (nr) Oxnard 19-5
On the Bubble: California (San Ramon) 16-3, Chamindade (West Hills) 20-6, Foothill (Palo Cedro) 20-5, Lutheran (Orange) 19-6, Mission Bay (San Diego) 17-5, Ramona 15-5, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno) 17-7, Santa Cruz 24-6, Woodland 22-4.
Division III
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 18-0
2. (2) Palm Desert 20-3
3. (3) La Quinta (Westminster) 22-4
4. (4) Temecula Valley (Temecula) 19-4
5. (6) Petaluma 18-1
6. (9) Oakmont (Roseville) 19-3
7. (5) Miramonte (Orinda) 17-3
8. (10) Tesoro (Las Flores) 18-6
9. (nr) Campolindo (Moraga) 15-4
10. (nr) Serrano (Phelan) 14-1
On the Bubble: Acalanes (Lafayette) 15-5, Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) 16-7, Fresno 17-5, Gahr (Cerritos) 19-5, Oakdale 18-5, Ocean View (Huntington Beach) 18-5, Selma 19-8.
Contra Costa Times Prep Poll
Posted on Tue, May. 10, 2005
Times prep baseball poll
Rank School Record Comment
1. Bishop O'Dowd 18-0 Will anyone topple the Dragons?
2. Amador Valley 18-1 Dons pick up a pair of huge, 3-2, extra-inning wins over Danville schools
3. Monte Vista 14-4-1 Mustangs bounce back from loss to AV with 3-0 win over Livermore
T4. California 16-3 Grizzlies halt their brief skid, go 2-0 on the week
T4. De La Salle 15-4 Spartans snap Antioch's four-game winning streak, still lead BVAL
6. Clayton Valley 16-4 Eagles beat Pittsburg despite getting no-hit.
T7. Livermore 15-6 Cowboys' five game EBAL win streak comes to an end
T7. Campolindo 15-4 Cougars take inside track to DFAL title with second win over Miramonte
9. Miramonte 17-3 Matadors still can't figure out Campolindo
10. Head-Royce 15-0 Jayhawks sweep crucial home-and-away series with Berean Christian
Dragons #6 in Country in Schoolsports Rankings
Just call it unbelievable. What a season. #6 in the Entire Country. The 17-0 O'Dowd Dragons are the talk of all the media but the coaches and players are focused on one game at a time. With 6 games left in the regular season, the Dragons are attempting to build momentum for the NCS playoffs where they compete as a Division I team.
Champion Presents: Baseball Top 25
By Jon Mahoney
Date: May 3, 2005
In this week’s National Baseball Top 25, former No. 2 Monsignor Pace (Fla.) and former No. 3 The Woodlands (Texas) both lost two games last week. Pace drops to No. 16, while The Woodlands falls to No. 17. Meanwhile, Florida Christian (Fla.), which handed Pace one of its losses last week, debuts in the Top 25 at No. 14.
Rankings as of May 2, 2005
1. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) – (32-0) *1
Russell County swept Monroe, 12-0 and 16-1, in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Junior Kasey Kiker tossed a perfect game and struck out 17 in the first game. Meanwhile, senior Colby Rasmus clubbed four homers in the doubleheader. He now has 22 on the season, which moves him past Bo Jackson and into a second-place tie with Matt Ames of Stanhope on the single-season state home run list. The state record is 30, which was set by Wade Miller of G.W. Long in 2000. Russell County will host Paul Bryant in the state quarterfinals on May 7.
2. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) – (26-2-1) *4
Moody defeated King, 7-1, and blanked Miller, 14-0.
3. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – (16-0) *5
Pioneer won three games at the Brandon Varsity Baseball Invitational to push its winning streak to 39 games. Seth Sanders was dominant in the three games as he went 7-for-9 with two homers and nine RBI.
4. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) – (14-0) *7
Adam Carpenter and Bruno Gora each went 2-for-4, while Graham Stoneburner fanned 11 as Mills Godwin shutout J.R. Tucker, 7-0.
5. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) – (17-0) *8
Brownsburg won four games last week, including an 11-1 victory over Westfield in which Jeff King tossed a one-hitter and Cory Dragstrem slugged a grand slam.
6. Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – (17-0) *9
Senior Tyson Ross struck out a career-high 17 and scattered just three hits, while junior Jeff Kobernus went 4-for-4 at the plate as Bishop O’Dowd defeated Castro Valley, 7-1.
7. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) – (25-0) *10
The Sailors defeated Manatee, 12-0, to complete its first undefeated regular season in school history. Sarasota plays Riverview tonight in the semifinals of the Class 6A-District 6 tournament.
8. Madison Central (Madison, Miss.) – (30-0) *13
Madison Central remained undefeated with a 7-2 victory over Southaven in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Madison Central went for the sweep against Southaven on Monday night.
9. Nova (Davie, Fla.) – (23-1) *11
Robert Lara (3-0) struck out 10 and Pablo Lopez earned his second save in Nova’s 3-1 victory over Plantation.
10. Flower Mound (Flower Mound, Texas) – (25-4) *12
Craig Italiano fanned nine batters and allowed just four hits in an 11-1 victory over Plano. Shortstop Paul Kelly went 2-for-2 with two RBI and scored four runs. Kelly, who signed with TCU, is batting .464 with 12 homers and 38 RBI. Flower Mound is the District 8-5A champion,
11. Niwot (Longmont, Colo.) – (17-0) *14
Sean Ratliff and Clint Stapp each went 1-for-2 with an RBI as Niwot edged Mountain View, 3-2.
12. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) – (28-1) *17
Catalina Foothills continues to roll as it is now 28-1 on the season.
13. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) – (21-2) *18
Clovis West defeated Clovis East twice last week, 10-2 and 6-2.
14. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) – (23-2) *NR
Florida Christian moves into the Top 25 after defeating then-No. 2 Monsignor Pace, 1-0. Junior Bryan Morgado allowed only four hits and struck out a career-high 14 batters to move to 6-1 on the season. Senior catcher Kevin Villa drove in the game’s only run with an RBI single in the fourth. The Patriots have won 20 consecutive games.
15. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – (25-3) *19
Ike Davis went 2-for-3 with a homer and an RBI and Austin Yount went 3-for-3 to lead Chaparral past Saguaro, 11-2. The Firebirds will play the winner of Saguaro and Coronado in the East Sky Region tournament on May 4.
16. Monsignor Pace (Opa Locka, Fla.) – (21-4) *2
Pace falls to No. 16 after losing two games last week, including a 1-0 setback to new No. 14 Florida Christian.
17. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) – (23-4) *3
Like Monsignor Pace (Fla.), The Woodlands also lost two games last week, including a 12-11 defeat at the hands of Oak Ridge.
18. Deering (Deering, Maine) – (5-0) *21
Deering continued its undefeated start with a 15-3 win over Bonny Eagle.
19. Poway (Poway, Calif.) – (21-3) *25
Poway earned two wins over La Costa Canyon last week.
20. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) – (16-2) *6
Roberson drops to No. 20 after losing to Tuscola, 9-8.
21. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) – (24-1) *24
The Bears earned three victories last week.
22. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) – (22-2) *15
Chatsworth defeated El Camino Real, 1-0, but lost to the second game to the Conquistadors, 8-3. The Chancellors fall to No. 23 as a result of the loss.
23. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) – (17-1) *16
Elder drops to No. 22 after suffering its first defeat of the season in an 8-6 loss to La Salle in the Best of the West tournament.
24. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) – (25-0) *NR
Millard North debuts in the Top 25 after running its record to 25-0. The Mustangs picked up their 25th win with a 5-3 victory over Millard West in the championship game of the Don Kraft Invitational.
25. Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.) – (10-0) *NR
Hendricken’s 10-0 record earns it a spot in our Top 25. Hendricken defeated East Providence, 8-0, behind Matt Buonaiuto, who tossed a complete-game four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts.
O'Dowd Still Tops in the Bay Area
May 3, 2005
Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area Top 20 Rankings
Harold Abend
CalHiSports Associate Editor
The Bishop O'Dowd Dragons remained perfect by rolling past two more Hayward Area League opponents last week and stayed No. 1 in the Bay Area for baseball. Cal-bound Tyson Ross picked up the win in a 7-1 victory over Castro Valley to improve his record to 7-0 while Rashed Tucker improved to 5-0 in getting the win in a 13-2 blasting of Moreau Catholic of Hayward. Senior left-fielder David Williams hit two home runs while going 3-for-3 against Castro Valley while Jeff Kobernus was 4-for-for in the same affair.
We took a road trip to Livermore last Thursday to watch Lou Cesario's Amador Valley of Pleasanton Dons give the coach a nice 41st birthday present by pounding out 15 hits against four Granada pitchers to win going away, 16-4. Seniors Brett Zolman, Stephen Gatehouse and Robbie Learned led the way offensively. Gatehouse was 2-for-4 with two doubles and five RBI, first baseman Learned also had two doubles and was 3- for-5 with three RBI, and third baseman Zolman went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two stolen bases. Junior lefty David Rowse, who struck out five after allowing only two hits, was pulled after four innings with the Dons ahead 9-0 but he got the win to improve to 7-1. Earlier in the week, the Dons beat cross-town rival Foothill, 4-1.
Actually, our first road trip of last week was to Mountain View on Tuesday to watch Bellarmine of San Jose take on St. Francis at the Lancers' newly constructed and beautiful "brickyard" baseball facility. Unfortunately for St. Francis, it was all Bellarmine as the Bells rang up the Lancers with a 14-0 shutout. Bellarmine coach Gary Cunningham told us he would "savor the victory for a day before worrying about Serra on Friday." The coach's worries were not unfounded as the Padres beat his Bells for the second time in two weeks with an extra inning 5-4 win on their home field in San Mateo.
Here are this week's baseball top 20 rankings:
(After games of Saturday, April 30)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 17-0
2. (3) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 17-1
3. (2) Bellarmine (San Jose) 27-4
4. (4) Monte Vista (Danville) 13-3-1
5. (9) Mitty (San Jose) 19-5
6. (6) Serra (San Mateo) 16-6-1
7. (7) Justin-Siena (Napa) 18-0
8. (8) De La Salle (Concord) 13-4
9. (5) St. Francis (Mt. View) 19-6
10. (10) Los Gatos 20-3
11. (11) Miramonte (Orinda) 16-2
12. (12) Valley Christian (San Jose) 19-7
13. (14) Petaluma 16-1
14. (15) Montgomery (Santa Rosa) 14-1
15. (13) Clayton Valley (Concord) 14-4
16. (nr) Livermore 14-5
17. (16) Campolindo (Moraga) 14-3
18. (20) Acalanes (Lafayette) 14-4
19. (17) California (San Ramon) 14-3
20. (nr) Santa Cruz 22-6
On the Bubble
Carmel 24-3-1, Newark Memorial 13-6-1, Pacific Grove 20-5, Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park) 13-5, Redwood (Larkspur) 14-6.
| |
Baseball America Ranks Dragons #12 in Country
The most prestigious national baseball magazine has ranked the Dragons #12 in the country. This is the highest ranking in Bishop O'Dowd history. Click on the link above for the article.
May 1st Rankings
PREVIOUS RANKING
May 1st
SCHOOL (CITY)
STATE
RECORD
POINTS
1
1
Russell County HS, Seale
AL
32-0
300
13
2
Sarasota HS
FL
25-0
337
9
3
Moody HS, Corpus Christi
TX
26-2
329
11
4
Mills Godwin HS, Richmond
VA
14-0
324
7
5
Clovis West HS
CA
21-2
301
12
6
Pioneer HS, Ann Arbor
MI
16-0
298
3
7
The Woodlands HS
TX
23-4
279
8
8
Nova HS, Davie
FL
23-1
277
15
9
Brownsburg HS
IN
17-0
265
18
10
Madison Central HS
MS
30-0
238
19
11
Flower Mound HS
TX
25-4
234
22
12
Bishop O'Dowd HS, Oakland
CA
17-0
223
6
13
O'Dowd Now Ranked #22 in National FAB50
FAB 50 Rankings: Sarasota on Top
Doug Huff
StudentSportsBaseball.com Senior Editor
Anthony Vasquez; Reagan H.S., San Antonio, TX
Contributing: Mark Tennis, Andrew Drennen, Sheldon Shealer.
Note: Won-Loss Records through April 30; previous ranking in parenthesis.
1. Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) 25-0 (1)
The Sailors ended the regular season unbeaten with two wins last week and prepared for the opening on the Class 6A district tournament this week versus Sarasota Riverview. Sarasota also got some good off-field news when it was announced the state Final Four event will return to Sarasota this spring after an eight-year lapse. When it was last held in Sarasota from 1993-96, the Sailors won three state titles.
2. Russell County (Seale, Ala.) 31-0 (2)
Alabama's top-ranked team opened the Class 5A playoffs with a sweep of Monroe County, 7-0 and 12-1. Junior lefthander Kasey Kiker (10-0) pitched a perfect game with 12 strikeouts over seven innings in the opener. Colby Rasmus belted four home runs in the doubleheader, including a grand slam, and knocked in 12 runs. Rasmus now has 22 homers this season to pass the 20 recorded by Bo Jackson in 1982 at McAdory High. The state, and national record, of 30 is held by another Alabaman, Wade Miller of G.W. Long High.
3. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) 26-2-1 (6)
The defending state Class 5A champion continues to roll including a 14-0, no-hit pounding of Miller last week after scoring 12 runs in the first inning. Moody had 14 hits in the shutout rout.
4. Nova (Davie, Fla.) 23-1 (9)
The Titans bounced back last week from their first season loss with two victories -- over South Plantation, 10-0, and Plantation, 3-1. Robert Lara (3-0) picked up the win vs. Plantation and Michael Hartley knocked in two runs. Nova, the defending state champion, regained the No. 1 state Class 5A ranking with the two wins and prepared for district tournament eliminations this week.
5. Catalina Foothills (Tucson, Ariz.) 28-1 (7)
The future for this program looks good as freshman Kayvon Bahramzadeh cracked a pair of doubles and had three RBI in a 10-0 win last week over Amphitheater of Tucson. Coach Jason Hisey's team also won last week, 8-3, over Tucson Pueblo and took a 16-game winning streak into this week.
6. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) 22-2 (4)
The Chancellors played the first two of three games against L.A. City Section rival El Camino Real last week and split. Chatsworth took the opening game, 1-0, on a shutout by Darron Norris. El Camino Real took the second game, 8-3. The third game will be next week and the two could play again in the L.A. City Section playoffs. Chatsworth is still California's No. 1 team with 75 wins in its last 77 games.
7. Madison Central (Madison, Miss.) 30-0 (10)
The No. 1 ranked Mississippi team opened the state Class 5A quarterfinal playoffs with a 7-2 win over Southaven in the first game of the best-of-three series. Wade Broyles (11-0) was the winning pitcher. Nathan Wright belted a double and single.
8. Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) 17-0 (12)
The Bulldogs appear to be on a title mission after finishing the last two years as state Class 4A runnerup. Last week, in a sweep of Westfield, preseason All-America Lance Lynn (6-0) struck out 13 in a 7-0, no-hit victory. In a 11-1 win over the same team, freshman Jeff King (4-0) tossed a three-hitter aand Cory Dragstem belted a grand slam home run.
9. Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.) 16-0 (13)
The defending state Division 1 champion continues to roll and pushed its win streak to 39 games. Last week, in a doubleheader sweep over Saline, Casey Keenan's two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning provided a 4-3 comeback victory. Pioneer won the opener, 5-2.
10. Mills Godwin (Richmond, Va.) 14-0 (14)
The top-ranked Virginia team added two shutout victories last week. In a 1-0 win over Deep Run, preseason All-American Justin Bristow struck out 14. In a 7-0 blanking of Tucker, Graham Stoneburner whiffed 11 batters. Mills Godwin now has five straight shutout wins.
11. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) 21-2 (16)
Taylor Williams collected four hits, including a homer and a double, and had three RBI as the Golden Eagles completed a two-game sweep of Clovis East with a 6-2 triumph. Clovis West has a big two-game set coming up next week against Clovis, which is a program that has been No. 1 in the nation before.
12. Florida Christian (Miami, Fla.) 23-2 (35)
Florida's No. 1 ranked Class 2A team is one of the hottest teams in the Sunshine State. It hiked its win streak to 20 games with a 1-0 victory last week over FAB 5 preseason No. 1 Monsignor Pace. Junior lefthander Bryan Morgado (6-1) hurled a four-hitter and struck out 14 batters.
13. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) 24-1 (18)
The Bears haven't lost since their national record 70-game win streak was halted earlier this season. Last week, the two-time defending state champion routed Albuquerque High, 11-1, with two third inning homers breaking the game open. La Cueva also bested Santa Fe twice, 9-0 and 12-2.
14. Roswell (Roswell, Ga.) 18-3 (11)
Roswell split two decisions last week but maintained its No. 1 state Class AAAAA ranking. After losing to Walton, 3-2, Roswell rebounded to defeat Kell by 4-2.
15. Owasso (Owasso, Okla.) 27-3 (19)
The defending state Class 6A champion continues to be the team to beat in Oklahoma. Last week, Owasso defeated conference rival Jenks, 6-2.
16. El Camino Real (Woodland Hills, Calif.) 20-3* (15)
Ryan Lavarnway was the hero for the Conqustadors as they bounced back from a1-0 loss to Chatsworth to post an 8-3 win in the second game between the two L.A. City Section rivals. Lavarnway ripped a three-run homer and added a two-run single to finish with five RBI.
17. Springville (Springville, Utah) 18-1 (20)
Matt McCoy's home run in the fifth inning was all ace Mark Pawelek needed as the Red Devils beat Spanish Fork last week, 1-0, which is their second win over the only team they've lost to. Pawelek, a likely high draft choice in June, struck out 15 batters and allowed just three singles.
18. Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) 13-1 (21)
After being idle for much of the week with rain and snow in the Cleveland area, the Warriors returned to action with an 11-2 league victory over Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's. Junior Bobby Simone helped his own mound victory by belting a two-run homer.
19. Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) 25-0 (23)
The Mustangs continued their unbeaten ways in Nebraska. North halted an 11-game win streak by Omaha Gross, 6-2, before downing Bellevue East, 5-4. In the Don Kraft Invitational, North downed Creighton Prep of Omaha, 13-9, before winning the tournament with a 5-3 win over
Millard West. A four-run burst in the fifth turned a 3-1 deficit into victory.
20. T.C. Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) 16-2 (17)
North Carolina's top-ranked team split two decisions last week. Preseason All-America outfielder Cameron Maybin continues his torrid hitting with a .681 batting average, including10 home runs. Wes Williams also stands out with a .596 batting norm.
21. Hahnville (Boutte, La.) 30-3 (24)
Louisiana's No. 1 ranked team was idle last week and prepared for this week's state playoffs against West Jefferson of Harvey.
22. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 17-0 (25)
David Williams wielded a hot bat for the Dragons last week as they remained unbeaten with two more wins. First, in a 7-1 win over Castro Valley, Williams went 3-for-3. Then later, in a 13-2 victory vs. Moreau Catholic of Hayward, Williams slammed a pair of home runs.
23. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 25-3 (26)
Arizona's defending Class 4A champ sure isn't going to be a pushover for
Catalina Foothills, which is in the same division. The Firebirds revved up for their postseason push with wins of 5-1 over Desert Ridge and 11-2 over Saguaro of Scottsdale. Against Saguaro, preseason All-Americans Austin Yount (3-for-3, RBI) and Ike Davis (2-for-3, HR) both did well.
24. James Monroe (Bronx, N.Y.) 22-1 (22)
New York's No. 1 ranked team had its unbeaten record end but rebounded with a 16-6 rout of Clinton. An 11-run sixth inning sparked the comeback win. Victor Aracena had a three-run homer and bases-loaded triple to knock in six runs. Rafael Cabreja went 4-for-5.
25. Poway (Poway, Calif.) 22-3 (32)
The Titans strengthened their hold on the top ranking in the San Diego area with wins of 8-3 over Mt. Carmel and then 13-5 and 7-3 in a doubleheader against two-time defending section champ La Costa Canyon. David Hovey notched his ninth pitching win in the opening game of the week while Xavier Scruggs hit a grand slam homer in the first game of the twinbill against the Mavericks.
THE NEXT 25:
26. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) 23-4 (3)
27. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 20-4 (8)
28. Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) 32-2 (27)
29. Monsignor Pace (Miami, Fla.) 21-4 (5)
30. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) 17-0 (33)
31. Douglas (Parkland, Fla.) 23-2 (34)
32. Lyons (La Grange, Ill.) 21-1 (38)
33. Richland (Richland, Wash.) 14-0 (39)
34. Christian Brothers (Lincroft, N.J.) 14-0 (nr)
35. Collierville (Collierville, Tenn.) 24-3 (42)
36. Poly (Riverside, Calif.) 18-3 (50)
37. St. Joseph (Montvale, N.J.) 13-1 (30)
38. Flower Mound (Flower Mound, Texas) 25-4-2 (28)
39. Houston Christian (Houston, Texas) 33-3 (29)
40. Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, Ala.) 36-4 (31)
41. Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 25-3 (36)
42. Rose (Greenville, N.C.) 19-2 (nr)
43. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.) 33-4 (nr)
44. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.) 14-1 (44)
45. Calvert Hall (Towson, Md.) 21-1 (45)
46. Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.) 10-0 (46)
47. Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.) 18-3 (48)
48. Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.) 17-1 (nr)
49. Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.) 27-4 (37)
50. Tate (Cantonment, Fla.) 19-2 (nr)
DROPPED OUT: No. 40 Sunrise Mountain (Bradshaw, Ariz.); No. 41 Manhattan (Manhattan, Kan.); No. 43 Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.); No. 47 Royal (Simi Valley, Calif.); No.49 Cedar Cliff (Camp Hill, Pa.).
Perfect Game ranks O'Dowd #2 in State
| | |
