By: Ross Van De Griek
1. Jesuit (7-0)
This Week: vs Hillsborough (Tues.), @ Countryside (Thu.), vs Jefferson (Sat.) (Saladino Tournament)
The Jesuit Tigers remain the #1 ranked team in the Tampa Bay area, following their wins last week over Jefferson, Blake & Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale). Over the last two games, the Tigers have outscored their opponents, 32-1. Senior Jalen Niles is leading the team, hitting .467 on the season, with 9 runs scored. Jesuit is back in action, tomorrow night vs Hillsborough.
2. Berkeley Prep (8-0)
This Week: @ Tampa Prep (Tues.), @ Brooks-DeBartolo (Thu.), vs Norfolk Christian (VA)
The Berkeley Prep Buccaneers come into this week, as the #2 ranked team in the Tampa Bay area. The Buccaneers are coming off a 3-0 week, which includes a 5-4 win over reigning Class 4A champion Calvary Christian, which featured a walk-off home run by senior Alex Haire. Freshman Cade Kurland (Florida verbal commit) is leading the team, with his .542 batting average & 13 hits on the season. Berkeley Prep returns to action, tomorrow as they travel to Tampa Prep.
3. Mitchell (6-0)
This Week: @ Fivay (Wed.), vs Clearwater Central Catholic (Fri.)
The Mitchell Mustangs check in this week's rankings at #3, and are also ranked #13 in the nation, according to MaxPreps. The Mustangs are coming off a 3-1 win over East Lake in their last game. Freshman Aidan Miller & senior Kyle Murphy are each tied for the team lead with 7 RBI's on the season. Mitchell is back in action on Wednesday, as they travel to Fivay High School.
4. Calvary Christian (6-2)
This Week: vs Bishop McLaughlin (Tues.), vs Venice (Thu.), @ River Ridge (Fri.)
The Calvary Christian Warriors remain the #4 team in this week's Tampa Bay high school baseball rankings. The Warriors are coming off a 1-0 win over Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale) on Saturday night. Junior pitcher Jack Cebert gave up just two hits & had nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings of work in their win on Saturday. Calvary Christian is back in action tomorrow night, as they host Bishop McLaughlin.
5. Plant City (5-1)
This Week: vs Bloomingdale (Mon.), vs Durant (Tues.), vs Gaither (Sat.) (Saladino Tournament at King HS)
The Plant City Raiders are in the Tampa Bay's Top 5 for the first time this season. The Raiders are coming off a 2-0 week, where they got wins over Leto & Tampa Bay Tech. Senior Cole Cothren & junior Mario Williams are tied for the team lead, with 5 RBI's so far on the season. Plant City is back in action tonight, as they host Bloomingdale in the first of a two-game homestand.
6. Land O'Lakes (7-0)
This Week: @ Pasco (Tues.), @ Nature Coast Tech (Wed.)
The Land O'Lakes Gators come into this week's rankings, as the #6 team in the Tampa Bay area. The Gators are coming off a 3-0 week where they've got wins over River Ridge, Weeki Wachee & Fivay. Senior Brett Gwinn had a team-high 4 RBI's, in their 16-3 win over Fivay in their last game. Land O'Lakes is back in action tomorrow night, as they travel to Pasco High School.
7. Osceola (7-1)
This Week: vs St. Petersburg (Tues.), vs Tarpon Springs (Thu.), vs Lakewood (Fri.)
The Osceola Warriors are in the Tampa Bay high school baseball rankings, for the first time this season. Osceola is coming off a 3-0 week, where they got wins over Countryside, Seminole & Largo last week. Luke Percifield is leading the team, as he is hitting .400 & has scored five runs so far this season. Osceola is back in action, tomorrow night as they host St. Petersburg.
8. Wharton (6-1)
This Week: @ Steinbrenner (Tues.), vs Jefferson (Thu.), @ Leto (Sat.) (Saladino Tournament @ Leto HS)
The Wharton Wildcats only drop a couple spots, after they suffered their first loss of the season to Riverview in their last game. Wharton also picked up wins over Sickles & Plant last week, outscoring them a combined 26-1. Junior Dylan McDonald is currently leading the team, hitting .565 & has a team-high 13 hits so far this season. Wharton is back in action, tomorrow night as they travel to Steinbrenner High School.
9. Pasco (7-0)
This Week: vs Land O'Lakes (Tues.), vs Cypress Creek (Thu.)
The Pasco Pirates come into this week, at #9 in the Tampa Bay high school baseball rankings. Following a 3-0 week, where the Pirates got wins over Freedom, Chamberlain & Zephyrhills. Senior Nicolas Contreras is leading the team, hitting .467 & has drove in nine runs so far this season (which is 3rd on the team). Pasco hosts #7 Land O'Lakes tomorrow night in a District 5A-6 matchup.
10. Gaither (5-1)
This Week: vs Sunlake (Tues.), @ Sunlake (Fri.)
The Gaither Cowboys come into this week, at #10 in the Tampa Bay high school baseball rankings. Following a 3-0 week, where they picked up two wins over Wiregrass Ranch & King. The Cowboys currently stand in 3rd place in the District 6A-9 standings. Senior Ruben Espinal is leading the team, hitting .583 so far this season & has drove in 10 runs as well. Gaither is back in action, tomorrow night as they host Sunlake in a District 6A-9 contest.
On The Bubble: Armwood, Bloomingdale, Clearwater Central Catholic, Dunedin, Durant, East Lake, Hillsborough, Nature Coast Tech, Newsome, Northeast, Plant, River Ridge, Riverview, Seminole, Sickles, Steinbrenner, Strawberry Crest