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 28)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
TOP 10 STATE
BASEBALL TEAMS
1. (1) Buchanan (Clovis) 29-1
Five years ago, the Bears were the FAB 50 national champs. They’ll go for USA Today’s crown and our final No. 1 ranking on Tuesday against Clovis North in CIF Central Section D1 championship.
2. (2) JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) 27-6
The Lions are the only top four seed still going in the CIFSS D1 playoffs.
3. (4) De La Salle (Concord) 23-3
Conner Roberts pitched a shutout, the team’s fifth in a row, in CIFNCS D1 quarterfinal win vs. California of San Ramon.
4. (7) Clovis North (Fresno) 24-6-1
There’s a chance the Broncos could finish No. 1 in the state if they can upset Buchanan on Tuesday.
5. (6) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) 27-2*
The Sea Hawks scored all nine runs with two outs in one inning when they beat Culver City 9-2 in CIFSS D3 quarterfinals.
6. (11) Eastlake (Chula Vista) 28-3
We have to put the Titans ahead of Vista since they have a chance to go 30-3 and win the CIFSD Open Division title.
7. (8) Vista 26-6
Sorry, Panther fans. We mistakenly put your team at No. 5 on our ticker. Still could finish that high, just not yet.
8. (13) St. Francis (Mountain View) 24-8
The Lancers repeated as CCS Open Division champs behind Mr. Baseball State POY candidate Jeremy Ydens.
9. (19) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills) 28-7
It also was a repeat title for the Conquistadors in the L.A. City Section.
10. (15) Heritage (Brentwood) 21-4
This team is seeded No. 2 in NCS D1 bracket and could face De La Salle in Saturday’s championship.
TOP 10 STATE
SOFTBALL TEAMS
1. (1) Lutheran (Orange) 29-3
It will be a No. 1 vs. No. 2 for our state rankings when the Lancers play Los Al in Tuesday’s CIFSS D1 semifinals.
2. (2) Los Alamitos 26-2
Just like OLu is in line to finish No. 1 in the FAB 50 national rankings by winning the CIFSS D1 title, the same applies for the Griffins.
3. (4) La Habra 29-1
The four semifinalists in the CIFSS D2 playoffs are No. 3, No. 4, No. 11 and No. 12 in the state this week.
4. (5) Grand Terrace 26-1
For the Titans to get final No. 1 consideration, they’ll need Mater Dei or Norco and perhaps Valley View or Oaks Christian to win the CIFSS D1 and D2 titles.
5. (6) Mission Viejo 25-4
It was an avenging win of sorts for the Diablos when they beat Yucaipa 11-5 in the CIFSS D2 quarterfinals. Yucaipa was the team they were upset by in last year’s final that cost them mythical state and national titles.
6. (8) Norco 26-5
Head coach Richard Robinson only needs one more win to reach 500 for his career.
7. (16) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 25-7
Knocking off previous No. 3 and top seed Etiwanda in CIFSS D1 playoffs has to get the Monarchs back up into the top 10.
8. (3) Etiwanda 29-3
This looks like an obvious spot to place the Eagles after their upset loss to Mater Dei.
9. (12) Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 21-4
The Dons have a head-to-head win over Sheldon and need just two wins this week to win another NCS D1 title.
10. (9) Sheldon (Sacramento) 28-2
The Huskies were rolling at the end of the season, not dropping a game en route to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 title (which has a double-elimination format).
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
