By: Ross Van De Griek
Welcome to week 3 of the high school baseball season, across the Tampa Bay area & the state of Florida. With a few top teams losing this week, expect the rankings to be shuffled a bit. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. Jesuit (4-0)
This Week: at Jefferson (Tues.), at Blake (Thu.), vs Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) (Fri.)
The Jesuit Tigers remain at #1 in this week's rankings, following a 2-0 week with wins over Boca Ciega & Bishop Moore. Senior Jalen Niles leads the team hitting .500 & has drove in four runs on the season. The Tigers are back in action tomorrow night, as they travel to Jefferson High School.
2. Mitchell (5-0)
This Week: vs East Lake (Fri.)
The Mitchell Mustangs rise up to #2 in this week's rankings, following their wins against Sunlake this week. Mitchell is ranked #24 in the nation, according to the Xcellent 25 Rankings. Freshman Aidan Miller leads the team, with 7 RBI's on the season. Mitchell is back in action on Friday night, as they host East Lake High School.
3. Land O'Lakes (4-0)
This Week: vs River Ridge (Tues.), @ Weeki Wachee (Thu.), @ Fivay (Fri.)
The Land O'Lakes Gators come in at #3 in this week's Tampa Bay High School Baseball rankings, following their 2-0 week. The Gators did not give up a run, in their wins over Chamberlain & Freedom last week. Senior Will Law leads the team, with 5 RBI's on the season. Land O'Lakes is back in action, tomorrow night as they host River Ridge High School.
4. Calvary Christian (4-1)
This Week: vs Brooks-DeBartolo (Tues.), @ Berkeley Prep (Thu.), vs Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) (Sat.)
The Calvary Christian Warriors come into this week's rankings at #4, following their 6-2 loss at Venice in their last game. The Warriors are also ranked #21 in the nation, according to the Xcellent Top 25 rankings. Junior Tommy White (NC State verbal commit) leads the team with 10 RBI's on the season. Calvary Christian is back in action tomorrow night, as they host Brooks-DeBartolo.
5. Berkeley Prep (5-0)
This Week: @ Carrollwood Day (Tues.), vs Calvary Christian (Thu.), vs Tampa Catholic (Fri.)
The Berkeley Prep Buccaneers wrap up our Top 5 this week, as they are coming off a 3-0 week. Berkeley Prep outscored their opponents, 18-1 last week & had two shutouts along the way. Freshman Cade Kurland leads the team, hitting .533 & has drove in four runs on the season. The Buccaneers also have a team ERA of 0.82 through the team's first five games.
6. Wharton (4-0)
This Week: vs Sickles (Tues.), @ Plant (Thu.), @ Riverview (Sat.)
The Wharton Wildcats come into this week #6, in the Tampa Bay high school baseball rankings following their wins over Alonso & Palm Harbor University. Junior Dylan McDonald leads the team, hitting .538 & has scored eight runs so far this season. The Wildcats also have a team ERA of 0.54 through four games this season.
7. East Lake (4-1)
This Week: vs Northeast (Thu.), @ Mitchell (Fri.)
The East Lake Eagles come into this week #7, following their wins last week over Northside Christian & Gaither. The Eagles have also won four in a row, since suffering their lone loss to Clearwater on opening night. Senior Josh Pigozzo is leading the team, hitting .500 (7-14) on the season. Senior pitcher Cooper Nelson has not given up a run in his 12 2/3 innings pitched so far this season.
8. Pasco (4-0)
This Week: vs Freedom (Tues.), @ Chamberlain (Thu.), vs Zephyrhills (Fri.)
The Pasco Pirates enter the rankings for the first time this season, following their wins over Sunlake & Fivay last week. Through the team's first four games this season, Pasco has outscored their opponents 33-7. Sophomore Cory Filley leads the team, with six RBI's so far on the season. Pasco is back in action, tomorrow night as they host Freedom High School.
9. Gaither (2-1)
This Week: @ Wiregrass Ranch (Tues.), vs King (Thu.), vs Wiregrass Ranch (Fri.)
The Gaither Cowboys drop to #9 in this week's rankings, following their 4-1 loss vs East Lake in their last game. Senior Ruben Espinal is leading the team, hitting .400 & is tied with senior K'Walty Williams for the team lead, with three RBI's on the season. Gaither is back in action, tomorrow night as they travel to Wiregrass Ranch.
10. Plant City (4-1)
This Week: vs Leto (Tues.), @ Tampa Bay Tech (Thu.)
The Plant City Raiders enter the Tampa Bay high school baseball rankings for the first time this season, coming off a 2-0 week. Senior pitcher Tyler Dowdy pitched a two-hit shutout in their 3-0 win over Armwood in their last game. Plant City is back in action, tomorrow night as they host Leto High School.
On The Bubble: Armwood, Bishop McLaughlin, Dunedin, Hillsborough, Nature Coast Tech, Newsome, Northeast, Plant, River Ridge, Riverview, Seffner Christian, Seminole, Sickles, Springstead, Steinbrenner, Strawberry Crest