STUDENT SPORTS
NATIONAL FAB 50
BASEBALL RANKINGS
Compiled by Doug Huff
Contributing: Mark Tennis, Sheldon Shealer, Andrew Drennen, Mike Warchol.
(Through games of May 21; previous ranking in parentheses)
<b>1. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas) 32-1 (1) </b>
The Highlanders continue to dominate state playoff opponents while solidifying their spot atop the FAB 50 national rankings. Last week, they blanked Klein twice in the best-of-three Class 5A regional quarterfinals, 8-0 and 10-0 in a five-inning final as righthanded All-America ace Kyle Drabek hurled a two-hitter and struck out seven. Drabek also belted a first inning home run. Taylor Grote had a three-run homer. The Woodlands has outscored its two playoff foes, 28-2, in four wins, and advance to play Carrollton Newman Smith (27-6) this week.
<b>2. Jackson (Mill Creek, Wash.) 25-0 (5) </b>
This Northwest juggernaut moved closer to a possible mythical national title due to previous No. 2 Starr’s Mill losing in the Georgia state playoffs, previous No. 3 Owasso losing in the Oklahoma state playoffs and previous No. 4 Bishop Moore losing in the Florida state playoffs. The Timberwolves expected a tough challenge themselves last week from Lake Washington in the first game of their Saturday state tourney doubleheader last weekend. The Kangaroos from Kirkland had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh before a pop out ended the game with a 5-3 victory for Jackson. The nightcap saw Jackson destroy South Kitsap, 18-0, paced by Travis Snider’s school-record 11th homer, a three-run shot in the first inning. Jackson will take on Tahoma (22-3) in one semifinal at Safeco Field on Friday, with the title game held at the Mariners’ home field on Saturday.
<b>3. Brenham (Brenham, Texas) 32-2 (6) </b>
The Cubs advanced to this week's state Class 4A regional semifinals vs.Texas City with a 4-3 quarterfinal win last week over Little Cypress-Mauriceville. Texas City eliminated Bay City in the quarterfinals. One of Brenham's two losses is to FAB 50 No. 1 The Woodlands, a Class 5A team.
<b>4. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 31-3 (7) </b>
Coach Jerry Dawson’s team completed its season two weekends ago by winning a fourth straight state title in Arizona. This year’s crown came in Class 4A Division I. The team’s best athlete was outfielder Kyle Williams, son of Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams.
<b>5. Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) 29-3-1 (9) </b>
The Falcons repeated as state Class 6A champion while avenging two of their three season losses with playoff wins. Included was the 7-1 title win over Sarasota as Glenn Witkowski (14-0) hurled a four-hitter while striking out eight. It was Witkowski's 30th straight win over three seasons. Chris Connelly batted in three runs with a homer and double. In the semifinals, Flanagan defeated Hialeah, 1-0, the only other team to win two straight 6A state titles (2001-02).
<b>6. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) 25-3 (8) </b>
Beau Witsoe pitched four strong innings and added two hits at the plate to lead the Padres past St. Francis of Mountain View, 7-1, in the quarterfinals of the CIF Central Coast Section Div. I playoffs. Serra, which won the West Catholic Athletic League regular season and playoff championships, will try to accomplish the rare feat of adding the CCS title this weekend. It goes up against Valley Christian of San Jose in the semis and could play No. 15 Bellarmine in the finals.
<b>7. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.) 30-2 (10) </b>
Mike Moustakas, who has to be one of the top juniors in the nation, smacked his 14th homer of the season in a 7-0 win over Verdugo Hills and then came back with three hits in a 11-1 triumph vs. Banning of Wilmington. Chatsworth’s two L.A. City Section playoff wins advanced the team to this week’s semifinals against San Fernando. The L.A. City title game is this weekend at Dodger Stadium.
<b>8. Christian Brothers (Memphis, Tenn.) 37-1 (11) </b>
The Purple Wave, ranked No. 1 in the state, extended their win streak to 21 games last week with a 6-1 victory over Memphis University School in the Division 2 West Region finals. Matt Packer (12-0) hurled a two-hitter. The Purple Wave advances to this week's state tourney to play Nashville Montgomery Bell Academy.
<b>9. North Forsyth (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 28-0 (17) </b>
The Vikings continued their unbeaten season last week with two victories in the state Class 4-A playoffs. They defeated Charlotte Independence, the team that eliminated them last season, by 5-4, before ousting North Rowan, 4-1, in the second round. Reliever Dustin Ackley struck out nine and allowed one hit and no walks in 5 1/3 innings. Stepfan Morris belted a two-run homer. North advances to play Davie County.
<b>10. Chino (Chino, Calif.) 26-1 (16) </b>
After hitting three homers in a game the previous week, Matt Jaimes mashed two more round-trippers last week in a 6-3 win over Saugus in the first round of the CIF Southern Sectrion Div. I playoffs. The Cowboys, who haven’t lost since March, hope to have earned a berth in the semifinals by the end of this week.
<b>11. Bishop Kelley (Tulsa, Okla.) 38-2-1 (18) </b>
The Comets captured their second state Class 5A title in three years with a 3-1 finals win over Carl Albert of Midwest City. The victory avenged the Comets' only season loss to a state 5A opponent. Southpaw Dallas Keuchel (10-0), a University of Arkansas recruit, hurled a three-hitter and struck out eight. It was Keuchel's third straight state finals' start including last year's 1-0 loss to Claremore.
<b>12. Monsignor Pace (Opa Locka, Fla.) 28-4 (13) </b>
National Player of the Year candidate Adrian Cardenas went 5-for-5 with two triples, two doubles and a single to lead Pace to a 15-9 victory over Bishop Kenny of Jacksonville in the state Class 4A finals. The shortstop scored five runs and had four RBI. He went 7-for-8 in the final two games including an 8-1 semifinal win over Tampa Jesuit and finished the season with a school record .630 batting average.
<b>13. Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.) 26-4 (23) </b>
A No. 1 seed in the San Diego Section Div. I playoffs was the reward for the Falcons after they won the Palomar League title last week. They needed an extra inning to beat Poway, 5-4, in the clincher. In the team’s other outing last week, Nick Rodes went 3-for-3 with an RBI in a 3-1 win over Westview of San Diego.
<b>14. Lassiter (Marietta, Ga.) 26-4 (32) </b>
Lassiter advanced to this week's eight-team state Class AAAAA playoffs with a 7-2, 16-4 sweep of South Gwinnett last week. In the two games, Lassiter belted five home runs to give the perienniel contender 56 on the season. Lassiter takes on East Coweta this week in a best-of-three series.
<b>15. Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.) 31-4 (28) </b>
The Bells inexplicably are ranked higher than Serra in other national polls, despite Serra winning the league title, having one less loss and being ranked higher locally. The two teams have split in meetings this year and could face again this weekend in the CIF Central Coast Section Div. I final. If Bellarmine wins that title, then it makes sense to rank the team higher than Serra but not until that were to happen. The Bells did their part to set up that matchup with playoff wins last week of 10-0 over Mt. Pleasant of San Jose and 3-1 vs. league rival and defending CCS champ Archbishop Mitty.
<b>16. Pace (Pace, Fla.) 29-3 (nr) </b>
The Patriots won their third state title, and first since 1990, with an 11-7 Class 5A finals win over Tampa Hillsborough. Caleb Gintl went 3-for-4 at the plate and picked up the win with two relief innings. Pace scored five runs in the fifth for the come-from-behind win. Allen Ward went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Pace ended the season with 17 straight wins, including an 8-7 semifinal victory over Winter Haven.
<b>17. Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) 26-3 (21) </b>
The defending state Division 1 champion Panthers advanced to this week's regional tournament with a 7-3 win last week over Springfield North in the district finals. Elder trailed 2-0 after three innings before exploding for a seven-run fourth inning. Elder advances to play league rival Moeller (23-6), a team Elder beat twice in the regular season.
<b>18. James Madison (Vienna, Va.) 20-1 (19) </b>
Virginia's top-ranked team routed Langley, 11-2, last week to reach the Liberty District final and secure a spot in the Northern Region playoffs. Josh Carter, Arman Moniri and Sterling Sams each hit home runs in the victory.
<b>19. Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.) 24-3 (33) </b>
Ryan Ackland’s strong pitching paced the Aztecs to a 2-1 win over Arlington of Riverside in the CIF Southern Section Div. I playoffs. Niko Gallego had the game-winning RBI and totaled two hits. Coach Mike Curran’s team, which is seeded No. 1 (above Chino, which is No. 2) in what looks like the toughest sectional playoff bracket in California this year, plays next against Corona in the second round. The quarterfinals would be on Friday with the semis next week.
<b>20. Riverside (Greer, S.C.) 31-2 (20) </b>
Season complete. State Class AAA champion third time last four years.
<b>21. Walsh Jesuit (Cayahoga Falls, Ohio) 24-2 (26) </b>
The Warriors flexed their muscles last weekend to advance to the Division II region tournament for the sixth time since 1997. The Warriors belted 23 hits, including four homers, and scored 24 runs in 11 innings of the district tournament doubleheader. In the first game, Jesuit romped Tallmadge, 13-3, as sophomore Ross Brunello went 4-for-4 to send the Warriors to their 10th straight district final. In that game, the Warriors blanked Akron North, 11-0, behind Chad Rodgers (6-0), who had 11 strikeouts. In the two games, Rodgers also went 5-for-6 as a batter, including his ninth season homer.
<b>22. Massapequa (Massapequa, N.Y.) 23-0 (22) </b>
New York's No. 1 ranked team had no problem sweeping a three-game series last week against winless Hempstead by 23-0, 14-4 and 18-1. Tom Maloney highlighted the lopsided outings with three home runs in the 23-0 romp.
<b>23. James Monroe (Bronx, N.Y.) 42-2 (25) </b>
Pitching ace Danny Almonte might be forced to sit out the PSAL playoff finals, assuming James Monroe advances that far, if the senior lefthander competes in an all-star game in New Mexico. New York rules prohibit players from competing in all-star games during the season. The team opens PSAL post-season play this week against Park West. Almonte also received media attention last week when it was revealed the 19-year-old is married to a 30-year-old woman.
<b>24. Highland Park (Dallas, Texas) 28-5 (nr) </b>
The Scots advanced to this week's Class 4A regional semifinals vs. Corsicana (26-7) with a two-game quarterfinal sweep of Justin Northwest. Highland Park is led by National Player of the Year candidate Clayton Kershaw, a lefthanded pitcher-first baseman who is unbeaten on the mound and averages over two strikeouts an inning. Highland Park is the third of six Texas teams in our national rankings, which is four more than Baseball America has currently ranked. Hard to believe that Baseball America has more teams ranked from Kansas (three) than Texas.
<b>25. Baker (Baker, Ala.) 33-5 (30) </b>
The Hornets repeated as state Class 6A champion with a sweep of Clay-Chalkville in the final series, 11-1 in five innings and 8-6. It was the second straight year the two teams met for the crown. Tyler Minto (13-0 and 23-0 the last two years) gained the save in relief of Blake Summers (10-0). Minto also belted two triples in the final game.
<b>THE NEXT 25</b>
26. Old Tappan (Old Tappan, N.J.) 22-0 (31)
27. Palm Beach Central (Palm Beach, Fla.) 29-2 (35)
28. Poly (Riverside, Calif.) 25-4 (34)
29. Sarasota (Sasasota, Fla.) 27-5 (12)
30. Cypress (Cypress, Calif.) 24-3 (40)
31. Arlington Heights (Fort Worth, Texas) 31-3 (nr)
32. Palm Beach Gardens (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) 25-4 (nr)
33. North (Grosse Point, Mich.) 23-1 (45)
34. Hillsborough (Tampa, Fla.) 30-5 (37)
35. Hialeah (Hialeah, Fla.) 23-7 (nr)
36. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville, Fla.) 27-4 (39)
37. Jasper (Jasper, Ind.) 25-1 (48)
38. Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) 27-5 (41)
39. Moody (Corpus Christi, Texas) 29-7 (nr)
40. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.) 37-7 (42)
41. Katy (Katy, Texas) 32-7 (50)
42. Tulsa Union (Tulsa, Okla.) 29-12 (nr)
43. Owasso (Owasso, Okla.) 37-2 (3)
44. Osbourn (Manassas, Va.) 19-1 (44)
45. La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) 26-4 (nr)
46. Starr's Mill (Fayetteville, Ga.) 28-2 (2)
47. Nova (Davie, Fla.) 26-2 (36)
48. California (Sam Ramon, Calif.) 20-3 (nr)
49. Valencia (Valencia, Calif.) 25-3 (nr)
50. Lyons (La Grange, Ill.) 28-6 (38)
DROPPED OUT: Previous No. 4 Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.); No. 14 Barron Collier (Naples, Fla.); No. 15 Tomball (Tomball, Texas); No. 22 Silverado (Las Vegas, Nev.); No. 27 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.); No. 29 Petal (Petal, Miss.); No. 43 Tampa Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.); 46 Flower Mound (Flower Mound, Texas); No. 47 Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Ill.); No. 49 Cherry Creek (Englewood, Colo.).
<b>SPECIAL ADDITION:
WEST REGION TOP 20</b>
(Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)
1. Jackson (Mill Creek, WA) 25-0 (1)
2. Chaparral (Scottsdale, AZ) 31-3 (2)*
3. Serra (San Mateo, CA) 25-3 (3)
4. Chatsworth (Chatsworth, CA) 30-2 (4)
5. Chino (Chino, CA) 26-1 (5)
6. Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA) 26-4 (7)
7. Bellarmine (San Jose, CA) 31-4 (9)
8. Esperanza (Anaheim, CA) 24-3 (10)
9. Poly (Riverside, CA) 25-4 (11)
10. Cypress (Cypress, CA) 24-3 (12)
11. Brophy Prep (Phoenix, AZ) 27-5 (13)*
12. California (San Ramon, CA) 20-3 (16)
13. Valencia (Valencia, CA) 25-3 (15)
14. Roseburg (Roseburg, OR) 23-1 (17)
15. Fallbrook (Fallbrook, CA) 24-4-1 (18)
16. El Camino Real (Woodland Hills, CA) 26-5 (19)
17. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) 35-7-1 (nr)
18. Silverado (Las Vegas, NV) 33-5-1 (6)
19. Foothill (Tustin, CA) 23-4 (nr)
20. Clovis (Clovis, CA) 26-5 (nr)
<b>About Doug Huff</b>
He’s one of only three journalists who’ve been inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame. He’s known as the founder of the national record book, originated the prestigious Street&Smith’s preseason All-American teams and still updates football and boys basketball national records regularly for Student Sports. Huff also was the first to originate weekly regional rankings to run alongside a national poll, which was done for the first time in 1987.
<b>About Student Sports</b>
We provide national high school content for SPARQ Magazine and previously published Student Sports Magazine for 11 years. We produce the Nike Football Training Camps, EA SPORTS Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, the EA SPORTS All-American teams, the Area Code Games for baseball and numerous television projects. The Student Sports High School Network on Rivals.com also is the largest high school sports network in the world.
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