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HomeTeam 15: Baseball rankings for Tampa Bay

Unbeaten Jesuit takes over the top spot after Calvary Christian suffers its first regular-season loss in more than two years.
 
There's plenty of spring break baseball going on this week, which could trip up some of the area's unbeatens. (Times file)
There's plenty of spring break baseball going on this week, which could trip up some of the area's unbeatens. (Times file)
Published March 19, 2019|Updated March 19, 2019

Will spring break tournaments this week (Saladino and Farm Bureau Classic) lead to more reshuffling down the road?

The Elite

1. Jesuit (8-0)

This week: Friday at Tampa Catholic

Why they moved up: The Tigers are rolling along. They got a nice 6-3 win at Winter Haven to end last week. Camden Minacci pitched six strong innings in that win. Only one game this week, but it’s against their rival. Jesuit has scored 93 runs in eight game thus far, so the offense is clearly clicking.

2. Calvary Christian (4-1)

This week: Tuesday at Berkeley Prep, Thursday at Clearwater

Why they moved down: The Warriors lost their first regular-season game in over two seasons last Tuesday, 2-0 to Tampa Prep. Terrapins pitcher Gilbert Marquis held them to three hits and Tampa Prep scored twice in the seventh to win on the road. That snapped a four-game Tampa Prep losing streak. Don’t expect the bats to stay quiet. The Warriors have pitching and defense, and that will keep them in games all season.

3. Mitchell (9-0)

This week: Tuesday-Friday at Farm Bureau Classic

Why they stayed put: Another undefeated week for the Mustangs. The big one was a 4-3 win over Sunlake, which was a Class 7A, District 10 matchup. They are one of the favored teams in this week’s spring break tournament, which will certainly test the pitching staff. Mitchell has already won the Steve Georgiadis Tournament to start the season.

4. Northeast (5-0)

This week: Tuesday vs. Osceola, Friday at Osceola

Why they moved up: The schedule is a bit quirky to start. The Vikings didn’t play during spring break and only play Osceola this week. They must be anxious to get back on the field after the start they have had. Osceola is a district game. The following week they play district rival Mitchell twice. These next two weeks could go far in determining Northeast’s district placement.

5. Bishop McLaughlin (6-1)

This week: Tuesday-Friday at Farm Bureau Classic

Why they moved down: The first loss was 6-5 in nine innings to Cambridge Christian, which is also off to a good start. So no shame there. Expect the Hurricanes to bounce back in the tournament this week. Derick Stager is still smoking hot at the plate with a .632 average in 26 at bats. Justin Koehler is now 3-2 with a 0.82 ERA.

RELATED: Bishop McLaughlin regroups, rolls on Day 1 of Farm Bureau Classic

On the cusp

6. East Lake (7-0)

This week: Tuesday at Pinellas Park, Wednesday vs. Pinellas Park,

Why they moved up: The Eagles won the Dunedin Spring tournament with an impressive 3-0 win over Clearwater Central Catholic. Ryan Slater, who is committed to Florida, threw a two-hit shutout. He won the pitching award at the tournament. Sean Murray won the hitting award and Parker Opie was the tournament’s MVP. Two district games against the Patriots await.

7. Plant City (7-1)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Why they stayed put: The Raiders are going to be a tough out all season. They took down Plant in their first game of the Saladino, then rolled past Blake. There was a 10-run loss to Sickles, but that was clearly a blip. Parker Messick is now 3-0 and clearly one of the top pitchers in Hillsborough. Cade Shissler has three home runs and Chris Rodriguez is hitting .467.

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8. Springstead (7-0)

This week: Tuesday-Friday at Farm Bureau Classic

Why they moved up: The Eagles have to be considered a favorite to win this tournament. They started off with a 13-1 win over Hudson. Prior to that game, the offense had been average, although it has picked up lately. Bryce Holmes and Jack Jasiak are two solid arms on a team that has good pitching. That’s what it will take this week.

9. Leto (7-1)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Why they moved up: The Falcons are off to a good start at the Saladino. They have won big over Steinbrenner and East Bay in pool play. They have won three straight after a lopsided loss to Plant. R.J. Gutierrez is hitting .476 to lead the offense.

10. Wharton (7-1)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Why they moved in: The Wildcats lost early to Plant City but have won six straight since. That includes a 1-0 win over Alonso on Monday in the Saladino. Pitcher Brian Baughman outdueled Renzo Gonzalez in that game. They are now 2-0 in pool play. Sophomore Zach Ehrhard is on a tear to start the season with a .400 average and six RBIs.

Don’t overlook

11. Sickles (6-2)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Why they moved down: The Gryphons lost a 12-inning marathon to Jefferson on Monday night in their second game of the Saladino. That’s not really a bad loss, even though Jefferson only had one win entering the game. Expect Sickles to get things back on track, although 12 innings isn’t ideal in a tournament like this.

12. Plant (7-2)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Why they moved down: The Panthers opened pool play in the Saladino with a 7-3 loss to Plant City. They bounced back with a 1-0 walk-off win over Brooks DeBartolo. The tournament is a grind. Both losses this season were to very good teams and pitchers, so Plant is still not a team to take lightly.

13. Lennard (6-1)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Whey they moved up: The Longhorns are 1-1 in Saladino pool play after beating Carrollwood Day on Monday. They lost 2-1 to King in the opening game. Their last three games have been decided by one run, two of them wins. Pitching and hitting have come through so far.

14. Strawberry Crest (6-2)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Why they moved in: The Chargers got a nice 6-1 win over Bloomingdale on Monday to improve to 2-0 in the Saladino tournament. That win avenges an earlier loss to the Bulls. Pitching is a strength and the offense has done enough to make them competitive this week and all season.

15. Newsome (6-2)

This week: Saladino Baseball Tournament

Why they moved in: The Wolves are 2-0 at the Saladino after beating King on Monday. They have several quality wins already this season and the losses were to Alonso and Plant City in extra innings. Zach Benson and Zach Devito are both hitting over .400 to lead a formidable offense.

On the bubble

Berkeley Prep (4-2), Dunedin (4-3), Alonso (4-2), Riverview (6-2), St. Petersburg (6-3), Nature Coast (3-3), Hernando (4-3), Countryside (3-1), Wesley Chapel (3-1), Bloomingdale (5-3)