SBLive Iowa Top 25 high school baseball rankings: Hot teams move in, up the rankings
As the second week of the season brings more games on the schedule, some teams have made big moves and others moved into the rankings. There are more big games this week that could produce more shakeups.
1. Johnston (9-0)
The Dragons continue to dominate, outscoring Ottumwa 23-0 and Des Moines Lincoln 25-1 in doubleheaders last week. They also claimed a 4-2 victory over Ankeny. Spencer Campidilli (.545 avg., 2 HRs, 5 doubles, 11 RBI) and Miles Risley (13 hits, .464 avg., 4 doubles) are tearing it up at the plate, and Jake Pemble (2-0) hasn’t allowed an earned run in 10 innings pitched.
2. WDM Dowling Catholic (5-1)
The Maroons shut out Des Moines Lincoln (11-0, 10-0) in a twin bill and were rained out against Ankeny Centennial last week to hold onto the No. 2 spot. Sophomore Trever Baumler is hitting .632 with five homers and 14 RBI. The Maroons will be tested this week with doubleheaders against arch rival West Des Moines Valley and Ankeny, along with a test against Class 3A power Davenport Assumption.
3. Dubuque Wahlert Catholic (8-1)
The Golden Eagles catapult five spots in our poll after a 4-0 week. Carson Cummer is hitting .579. Wahlert will be tested this week, facing opponents who all have winning records, including ranked Dubuque Hempstead and West Delaware.
4. Iowa City High (7-2)
The Little Hawks move up three spots after a 3-0 week. Alex Knudtson leads the team with 15 hits and 8 RBIs.
5. Cedar Falls (7-1)
The Tigers won their first seven games and climb eight spots. Their only blemish is splitting a doubleheader against ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier. Colin Coonradt is hitting .533 and Ben Phillips is slugging .471. Both players have scored 10 runs as well.
6. Cedar Rapids Xavier Catholic (7-2)
The Saints are the highest-ranked Class 3A team to crack the poll, falling a spot after splitting a twin bill with Cedar Falls. Sophomore Andrew Hamlett is hitting .567 with eight RBIs and 12 runs scored.
7. Waukee (7-0)
The Warriors jump 12 spots after an impressive 5-0 week, highlighted by a doubleheader sweep of their former teammates with the new school across town (Northwest). Colin Driscoll is getting it done on the mound (1-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 7 innings) and at the dish (.417 avg.).
8. Grinnell (9-0)
The unbeaten Tigers are the second 3A team to make our all-class poll, bumping up a spot. A pair of Coles – Johnson and Gibson have combined for 19 hits, 17 RBIs and 19 runs scored. Brady Steward leads the pitching staff with a 3-0 record and a 0.70 ERA, and Will Doty has a perfect ERA over 13 innings.
9. West Delaware (8-1)
The Hawks move up eight spots after a 4-1 week where their only loss came in a doubleheader split with a quality Independence team. Lukas Meyer is hitting .440 and Luke Kehrli .409.
10. Urbandale (5-1)
The J-Hawks move up two spots after sweeping a doubleheader from Des Moines East and edging previously ranked Council Bluffs Lewis Central. Lukas Jelinor is hitting .476 and Sam Harris is 2-0 with 16 strikeouts.
11. Van Meter (8-0)
The three-time defending Class 2A champion holds steady after going 5-0 last week, outscoring opponents 56-3. Jack Pettit is hitting .480 with 11 RBIs and Reese Moore is hitting .478 with 14 RBIs. Gannon Archer is 2-0 with a perfect ERA and 27 strikeouts for the Bulldogs.
12. Indianola (7-2)
The Indians fall two spots to 12th going 2-1 on the week. Brady Blake leads the team in hitting at .467, four homers and 14 RBIs. Daniel Kuebler (2-0, 1.08 ERA), Bennet Brueck (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Luke Rockhold (1-0, 0.00 ERA) are getting it done on the bump.
13. Clear Creek-Amana (5-0)
The Clippers debut after sweeping defending 3A champion Marion 11-1 and 17-7. Ben Swalls is hitting .733 with 12 RBIs to lead the CCA bats, while Josh Loren has a perfect ERA.
14. Marion (6-2)
The Wolves fall 11 spots after getting swept by Clear Creek-Amana. Cael Hodges is hitting .500 with seven RBIs and 10 runs. Myles Davis hasn’t given up an earned run in six innings pitched.
15. Mason City Newman Catholic (8-0)
The 1A Knights outscored opponents 50-5 in four games last week. Tim Castle is tearing it up, hitting .632 with 12 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Elijah Brinkley has pitched Newman to three wins.
16. Western Dubuque (8-1)
The Bobcats, who vault from No. 25, split with Pleasant Valley and rolled through the rest of the week, thanks, in part, to the bat of Nick Bryant, who is hitting .406 with 11 RBI, 11 runs scored and five stolen bases. Ryan Klostermann, who has two victories, and Tucker Nauman both have ERAs under 1.30.
17. Pleasant Valley (3-3)
The defending 4A state champs fall three spots after going 2-1, splitting a twinbill with Western Dubuque. Drew Micek is hitting a robust .520 for the Spartans.
18. Davenport Assumption (4-3)
The Knights fell 14 spots after a 1-2 week. Noah Mack leads Assumption in hits with 12 (.480 avg.).
19. Estherville-Lincoln Central (8-0)
The undefeated Midgets’ debut in this week’s poll after a 4-0 week where they outscored opponents 40-1. Carter Snyder is hitting .462 with 13 RBIs. Owen Larson is 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA.
20. Southeast Polk (4-2)
The Rams are back in the poll after winning four straight with sweeps over Des Moines North and Council Bluffs Lincoln.
21. Waukee Northwest (6-4)
The Wolves dropped four of six games to fall 15 spots. Anthony Watts has pitched the Wolves to a pair of victories and a 0.58 ERA.
22. Independence (3-1)
The 3A Mustangs move up two spots after a 2-1 week with a quality loss to top 10 West Delaware. Keegan Schmitt is hitting .500 and has scored 10 runs.
23. Remsen St. Mary’s (8-0)
The 1A War Eagles, who have outscored their opponents 76-5 on the season, debut. Jason Bunkers is hitting .593 and Isaiah Gerrietts has won three games with a 1.62 ERA.
24.West Des Moines Valley (6-3)
The Tigers enter the rankings after winning six of seven games. Carson Krogulski is batting .636 with five RBIs.
25. Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln (6-2)
The Lynx only two losses are to SE Polk (twice) so they debut. Griff Rardin and Braydon Lincoln are both hitting over .400.
