Baseball top ten rankings
1. Bishop Amat (16-5) – The CIF-SS Division IV’s top-ranked Lancers split a pair last week, losing to Long Beach Wilson then beating Lakewood, 12-6. Are they still the area’s best team? Yes, but it’s getting closer.
2. San Dimas (15-3) – – This is where we disagree with the Division IV polls. We think San Dimas deserves to be ahead of Northview because of their head-to-head win over the Vikes. Of course, that could all change this week in the much antcipated head-to-head series with the Vikings.
3. Northview (13-4) – We will find out what the Vikings are made of this week. Did competing in the National Classic prepare them for the must-win games they face this week and down the line in the playoffs? We’re about to find out.
4. Bonita (14-4) – By this time of year I expected the Bearcats to be crushing teams and running away with the Miramonte League title. It hasn’t happened, and another loss against a so-so Los Altos team makes you wonder. But hey, on paper you can’t argue with this group.
5. Glendora (13-6) – After a split with Diamond Bar and Damien, I still think the Tartans are the best of the three, but it’s so close. The Tartans impressive run in reaching the final of their own tournament and winning the Arcadia tournament will pay dividends down the stretch.
6. Damien (15-5) – How impressive has new coach Leyva been? They beat a very good Chino team and split with Glendora, leaving them in a three-way tie for second with Glendora and Diamond Bar. This race will continue to go back and forth until the end.
7. Charter Oak (13-6) – Losing Tiffany, their shorstop/pitcher and captain, is going to hurt. The Chargers were one of those teams that couldn’t afford injuries, so I’m guessing this plays a big role in the home-and-home against Bonita this week.
8. South Hills (12-7) – The Huskies closed out the week with a 6-2 loss to Alemany. They still lead the San Antonio, but the question of late is what’s happening with pitcher Jacob Shirley? He was declared ineligible when the season started, but his appeal should be heard any day now.
9. Diamond Bar (11-8) – The Brahmas are at No. 9 for now but can jump and jump quick if they go on a run the final two weeks. They can play with anyone and get beat by anyone. Either way, it sure is fun to watch.
10. Nogales (16-7-1) – There are two kinds of Nobles teams, the one when Andrew Melchor pitches, and the average Nobles when he doesn’t. The one with Melchor can beat anyone, which is going to make them a dangerous playoff opponent.
Did you know: That San Dimas center fielder Tim Brookes had a game for the history books. In a 20-4 win over Covina, Brookes hit two grand slams and finished with nine RBIs, which was the most RBIs in a single game in more than 20 years. His nine RBIs ties him with Rio Hondo Prep’s Jim Key (1977) and Don Lugo’s Bob Malins (1978) for second all-time in the CIF-SS record books for RBIs in a single game. Only Calvary Baptist’s Eddie Martinez had more, setting the record with 11 in 1977.
Baseball Standings and Schedules
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League
