SBLive Super 7 Arkansas baseball rankings (March 13)
Valley View pitcher Eli Crecelius
By Kevin Bohannon | Photo by Jimmy Jones
After two weeks of Arkansas high school baseball action, we have had some great games and performances from the top teams and players in the state. Below are the first regular-season rankings of the season.
6A
1. Springdale Har-Ber (5-1)
2. Conway (4-3)
3. Rogers (4-1)
4. Bryant (6-0)
5. Fayetteville (5-0)
6. Catholic (5-1)
7. Cabot (4-1)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Rogers Heritage, North Little Rock, Bentonville
Springdale Har-Ber: The Wildcats have had the type of start you expect from the No. 1 team. Ross Felder threw a one-hitter in conference play opening week. They did split with Rogers last week in two tightly contested games.
Conway: The Wampus Cats went to Texas Week 1 and faced some of the best competition in the Lone Star state. This past week, Hugh Hill and Preston Prock tossed back to back no hitters.
Rogers: The Mounties just know how to win. The only loss so far is a 3-1 set back to No. 1 Har-Ber. The Mounties started 6A West play with three wins over Bentonville.
Bryant: The Hornets defeated Saline County rival Benton 7-1 to cap off a perfect couple of weeks that saw victories against Valley View, Brookland and Bentonville.
Fayetteville: The young Purple Dogs have only allowed 5 runs in 5 games including three shutouts. They beat Springdale a combined 21-1 to open conference play. Jaison Delamar and Landon Schaeffer were as good as advertised.
Catholic: Brooks Ward and Joe Castillo are a couple of names to keep an eye on in the 2024 class for the Rockets. Ward launched his 2nd homerun of the spring Friday against Maumelle and Castillo was 2-3 with a couple runs batted in on the night.
Cabot: The Panthers have a good mix of old and new this season. All State 3B Abe Owen anchors the offense and Aden Velasquez is a bonafide ace 2025 RHP Cael Turner is a name to follow as well.
5A
1. Valley View (2-2)
2. Little Rock Christian (3-0)
3. Marion (4-0)
4. Sheridan (7-1)
5. Greene County Tech (4-0)
6. Sylvan Hills (1-2)
7. Maumelle (2-3)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Arkansas High, Mountain Home
Valley View: The Blazers begun the season against some salty competition this season. They have played 6A Bryant and Mississippi powerhouse Magnolia Heights. They did take down former conference rival Brookland, 4-1, last week.
Little Rock Christian: The Warriors looked the part of a state title contender in their first three games with Reece Tarini dominating hitters in two of those. Jackson Kircher, Nate Gross and Cade Bowman have been solid. The captain of this team is Oklahoma State signee Charlie Carter. The senior backstop calls a great game and handles pitchers better than anyone.
Marion: The Pats have picked up right where they left off from last season. They shut out Jonesboro 7-0 and beat Hernando (Miss.) this past weekend.
Sheridan: The ‘Jackets are on a seven-game winning streak after dropping the opener to Cabot 6-5. They’ve only allowed a pair of runs in the last three games and are 4-0 in conference play.
Greene County Tech: GCT seems to have really good teams every other year. Two years ago they upset LR Christian in the opening round and made it to the semi-finals. This season they are due for more excitement and have already taken out 3A powerhouse Harding Academy en route to a 4-0 start.
Sylvan Hills: The Bears were humbled by Lonoke to start the season but they aren’t the only ones to fall in that category. Expect the Bears to start clicking in conference play with a veteran team of twelve seniors.
Maumelle: These guys will be dangerous come May. Young talent can take a while to gel, and the Hornets have plenty of talents. Tag Andrews is known for his accolades on the mound but he also hit two homeruns against Catholic Friday night in a 7-6 loss.
4A
1. Lonoke (5-1)
2. Arkadelphia (3-2)
3. Robinson (4-1)
4. Brookland (1-6)
5. Huntsville (3-3)
6. Shiloh Christian (3-3)
7. Stuttgart (1-2)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Nashville, Star CIty
Lonoke: Steele Eaves and Jaxon Ingle have yet to allow a run in 21 innings of work on the mound this season. The dynamic duo no-hit North Little Rock tallying 17 strikeouts and only one walk. Drake Aycock has been solid in the middle of the lineup and Tripp Sullivan has been as expected on the mound. Right now, it’s Lonoke versus the field in Class 4A. That may be high praise with it only being March, but this team has proven it is one of the best in the entire state no matter the classification.
Brookland: Don’t let the record fool you. Brookland has had challenging start to their 2023 campaign. The Bearcats have played 6A Central teams Bryant, Cabot and North Little Rock. Each loss has been to a higher classed team.
Arkadelphia: Tripp Campbell had one of the best pitching performances of the early season with a 15-strikeout no-hitter against Magnolia this past week. Carter Babb has been solid on the mound and at the plate as well. The Badgers did drop a game to 3A Bismarck which is concerning but it is early.
Huntsville: The Eagles usually front load their schedule with 6A teams and Oklahoma teams. This year is not any different and while they do miss Tucker Bradley and Kolton Reynolds, these Eagles are in the hunt.
Robinson: I didn’t think much of it when Robinson beat Harding Academy in a benefit game three weeks ago because after all it was a benefit game. The Senators have looked the part of a contender easily dispatching Pulaski Academy this past week in conference play.
Shiloh Christian: The Saints used the first week of the season playing out of state teams. I am ready to see them against some teams from NWA and the 1-4A conference. Brock Billingsley is a name to follow behind the plate.
Stuttgart: I had trouble with the 7th spot this week and knew it would come from the 4A-8 and the Ricebirds are this week’s pick in the conference. I like how this team plays and if they get a break or two, they can make a run. Star City, Monticello and Crossett are the other teams to keep an eye on in the conference.
3A
1. Harding Academy (3-2)
2. Elkins (4-0)
3. Rose Bud (3-2)
4. Camden Harmony Grove (6-3)
5. Booneville (3-2)
6. Melbourne (2-1)
7. Bismarck (4-0)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Prescott, DeWitt, Genoa Central
Harding Academy: Well, the Wildcats will not go undefeated this season, but we knew that coming in with a tough schedule packed with the state’s best teams. Kade Smith and Levi Lang have been pretty good on the mound so far but even better at the plate.
Elkins: Coach Corbell’s bunch came out on fire this season. Slade “Dizzy” Dean, who is also the Elks’ starting quarterback on the football team, is living up to the name and the Elks are perfect on the season and 2-0 in conference play. I am ready to see how they respond in a tight game but I love the confidence these guys are carrying right now.
Rose Bud: The Ramblers lost to Woodlawn and Arkansas High. Those are not terrible losses at all for a team early or late in the season. Jared Wray looked good last week on the mound and Russ Martin is rounding into form. The more reps Rece Hipp gets now that basketball is done will be even better for this squad.
Camden Harmony Grove: The Hornets have already played an eye-popping games in the first two weeks. They made the finals of the prestigious Ralph Gross Tournament in Nashville before losing to Magnolia. The usual suspects are off to a great start once again for this team.
Booneville: It is likely Booneville and Charleston for the conference title. Stop me if you have heard that before. Dax Goff has been really good at the plate and even got a win on the mound in conference action last week. If this team can cut down on errors, they will be tough to beat.
Melbourne: The Bearcatz have dealt with weather and other things but are 2-0 in conference play. They will be tested in the coming weeks and look forward to their matchup with Walnut Ridge in a few weeks.
Bismarck: The Lions beat Arkadelphia opening week and opened some eyes across the state. This is a tough conference with great baseball tradition and Bismarck has a chance to make some noise. Keep an eye on this group over the next couple of weeks.
2A
1. Woodlawn (7-0)
2. Carlisle (4-2)
3. Episcopal (1-3)
4. Bigelow (No Games yet)
5. Horatio (5-3)
6. Ouachita (5-1)
7. Rector (2-0)
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Parkers Chapel, Izard County
Woodlawn: Is anyone surprised at the 7-0 start for the Bears? I’m not. I think Woodlawn will be challenged this season but they have definitely shown why they are the No. 1 team in Class 2A
Carlisle: When you are a top team in a lower classification, you play other top teams from other classes and Carlisle has done just that to start the season. You will not find many 2A teams with four college prospects.
Episcopal Collegiate: The Wildcats have lost three one run games to start the season. Coach Eddie Stephenson has always had good pitching and defense with his teams. If they can find some offense, they will be hard to beat.
Bigelow: Congratulations to head coach Craig Neumeier for taking the boys basketball team to the promised land and defeating Marshall on Saturday for the 2A title. Carter Alexander and Rhett Neumeier will now try to do the same thing on the diamond.
Horatio: Good start to the season for the Lions and with them in 2A, I like their chances. They will have a tough conference to navigate through but like any other year, the south is tough in 2A.
Ouachita: New coach, new class, new conference, same winning spirit for the Warriors. With their core back this season, look for them to challenge Woodlawn in the rugged 8-2A.
Rector: Junior Cooper Rabjohn is an exciting athlete and the reason the Cougars are one of the top teams in northeast Arkansas. While most of the tradition in Class 2A resides in south Arkansas, Rabjohn is regarded statewide as one of the top pitchers. If you got an ace like Rabjohn, anything could happen in the postseason.
1A
1. Taylor
2. West Side Greers Ferry
3. Norfork
4. Mount Ida
5. St. Joseph
6. Nemo Vista
7. Viola
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Hillcrest, County Line
Taylor has played more games than just about any other Class A team up to this point. With basketball just finishing up in Hot Springs this past weekend, more teams will be getting on the diamond and starting out with conference play. Stay tuned for more coverage of Class A baseball in the weeks to come.
