Here’s a quick look at the top 10 teams that will be highlighted in this week’s new Cal-Hi Sports State Top 20 rankings for baseball and softball.
Note: For more complete breakdowns on each top 10 team and for the next 10 teams plus more teams on the bubble, all of that info is for our Gold Club members only. We do have a three-month subscription going right now, however, that is just $9.99 and in addition to all of our rankings that also will include state record updates plus additional, exclusive Gold Club content. For details, CLICK HERE.
(After games of Saturday, May 14)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
TOP 10 STATE
BASEBALL TEAMS
1. (1) Buchanan (Clovis) 27-1
It’s down to three more wins in the CIF Central Section playoffs and the Bears will be locked into being State Team of the Year.
2. (4) JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) 22-6
The Lions won their third straight Trinity League title last week with a 5-2 win over Servite, then blanked the Friars later in the week 4-0.
3. (6) El Toro (Lake Forest) 23-5
Doing better at the Hard 9 National Classic than De La Salle means the Chargers can be ranked higher. They’ll also join JSerra in CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.
4. (5) De La Salle (Concord) 19-3
Wins over Foothill and Amador Valley keep the Spartans in cruise control with one week left in regular season.
5. (7) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad) 22-5
Sweeping a Carlsbad team in three games that also was 19-5 coming into the week is a great sign for the Mavericks.
6. (2) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) 24-2*
For the Seahawks to stay in front of JSerra and others, a two-game sweep of previous No. 8 Mira Costa was required. They won 4-2, then lost 2-1.
7. (9) Serra (San Mateo) 24-5-1
Head coach Craig Gianinno’s squad won the West Catholic Athletic League playoff title with 6-2 victory vs. St. Francis.
8. (12) Vista 22-6
Panthers move up after 3-0 sweep of Rancho Buena Vista. They’re in same league as La Costa Canyon.
9. (19) J.W. North (Riverside) 22-7
We like that the Huskies have a head-to-head win over Orange Lutheran.
10. (3) Clovis North (Fresno) 22-6-1
Broncos still seeded No. 2 in CIF Central Section D1 playoffs after losing a pair to No. 1 Buchanan.
TOP 10 STATE
SOFTBALL TEAMS
1. (1) Lutheran (Orange) 26-3
Head coach Steve Miklos and girls were in fine form when they ended regular season with win last week over Santa Margarita.
2. (2) Los Alamitos 23-2
Both the Griffins and Orange Lutheran will be in CIFSS D1 playoffs. If either wins out, that team would be No. 1 in state.
3. (3) La Habra 26-1
Only loss for the Highlanders has been to Orange Lutheran.
4. (4) Etiwanda 28-2
Yes, if Etiwanda were to win out and take CIFSS D1 title it also would likely end up No. 1 in state (instead of La Habra or CIFSS D2 winner).
5. (7) Grand Terrace 23-1
The darlings of MaxPreps are a legit team but will need CIFSS D1 upsets to be No. 1 in our final state rankings.
6. (8) Mission Viejo 22-4
Diablos will be favored by many to win CIFSS D2 title instead of La Habra (strength of schedule).
7. (11) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) 25-3-1
San Diego’s No. 1 team benefits this week by Oaks Christian and East Union suffering first losses of season.
8. (14) Pioneer (San Jose) 23-2
Mustangs have to be back to No. 1 in NorCal due to head-to-head win over Amador Valley (which lost last week to Livermore).
9. (13) Norco 23-5
CIFSS D1 defending champs notched big win early last week over Corona Santiago.
10. (12) Sheldon (Sacramento) 25-2
This ranking was changed from earlier on Monday. Mistake was that previous No. 5 Amador Valley lost twice last week, not just once.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports
