High school baseball rankings: Corona remains No. 1 in MaxPreps Top 25 but challenges await

There was little movement in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings this week but a pair of major tournaments should shake things up in the near future.

The Boras Classic South gets underway this week in Orange County. While the tournament only has one MaxPreps Top 25 team, it's an important one. No. 1 Corona (Calif.) opens the tournament against La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) on Tuesday and then could face defending Southern Section Division 1 champion JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) in the second round.

Should Corona survive that, it will head to North Carolina to play in the National High School Invitational, hosted by Team USA Baseball. The Panthers open with Puyallup (Wash.) while other ranked teams include No. 9 Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), No. 11 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.), and No. 18 Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.).

A loss by Corona would open the door for Central (Phenix City, Ala.), Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge, La.) or even last year's national champion IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) to move up to No. 1.

The Ascenders have a tough week ahead with a game against No. 10 Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) and an April 9 game vs. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.).

Dropped out: No. 16 Argyle (Texas), No. 17 Lewisburg (Olive Branch, Miss.), No. 22 Dallas Jesuit (Dallas, Texas), No. 24 Las Vegas (Nev.), No. 25 Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)

Newcomers: No. 21 Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), No. 22 Tomball (Texas), No. 23 Venice (Fla.), No. 24 Prosper (Texas), No. 25 Pensacola Catholic (Pensacola, Fla.)

Game of the Week: Trinity Christian Academy def. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.), 2-1. For the second time this year, the Conquerors edged the defending Georgia AAAAAAA state champions by one run. This time, Trinity Christian scored in the bottom of the fourth to break a 1-1 tie and held Lowndes scoreless the final four innings.

Game to Watch: In what could be a preview of the championship of the National High School Invitational in two weeks, No. 9 Orange Lutheran takes on No. 11 Harvard-Westlake in a non-league matchup.
 
Player of the Week: Gian De Castro, North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Fla.). In two games, De Castro went 5-for-6 with two doubles and three RBI.

Streaks: Eaton (Colo.) won three games last week (7-0) to up its win streak to 48 wins in a row. Kennedy (Mt. Angel, Ore.) is right behind Eaton with 45 in a row after starting the season 7-0. MaxPreps Top 25 baseball rankings
Record: 12-1 | Last week: 1
Scores: Def. Santiago, 11-3, 6-4
Hitter of the week: Josh Springer went 4-for-4 with an RBI in the 6-4 win over Santiago.
Pitcher of the week: Seth Hernandez struck out six in 5.2 innings for the 11-3 win.
Next: Tuesday vs. La Costa Canyon (Boras Classic)

2. Central (Phenix City, Ala.)
Record: 24-1 | Last week: 3
Scores: Def. LaGrange, 4-3, def. Pike Road, 11-1, 10-2
Hitter of the week: Sam Brown went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in a 10-2 win.
Pitcher of the week: Jordan Balkum got the 10--2 as he gave up two runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
Next: Wednesday vs. Opelika

3. Catholic-B.R. (Baton Rouge, La.)
Record: 23-2 | Last week: 4
Scores: Def. Liberty Magnet, 11-0, 15-0, def. Marksville, 17-2
Hitter of the week: Orlando Henriquez went 1-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored in a 15-0 win.
Pitcher of the week: Wyatt Chenevert got the win in a 15-0 contest with four strikeouts and no runs on one hit.
Next: Tuesday vs. Central (Baton Rouge)

4. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 14-1 | Last week: 6
Scores: Def. Spanish Fort, 16-1; def. Landon, 5-3; North Cobb Christian, 8-1; def. Baylor, 9-1
Hitter of the week: Dillon Moss went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI against Landon.
Pitcher of the week: Kyler Meccage struck out nine and gave up one run on two hits against Landon.
Next: Tuesday vs. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.)

5. Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)
Record: 20-0-1 | Last week: 7
Scores: Def. Nolan Catholic, 21-0, 9-0
Hitter of the week: Lash Henderson went 2-for-3 with a home run and five RBI in the 21-0 win.
Pitcher of the week: Trent Vilade threw a five-inning, one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts in the 21-0 win.
Next: Friday vs. Bishop Lynch (Dallas)

6. Jackson Prep (Jackson, Miss.)
Record: 23-2 | Last week: 8
Scores: Def. Madison-Ridgeland, 9-7, 11-4, 12-6
Hitter of the week: Peyton Puckett went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in the 11-4 win.
Pitcher of the week: Konnor Griffin struck out nine in six innings for the 9-7 win.
Next: Tuesday vs. St. Joseph Catholic (Madison)

7. Flower Mound (Texas)
Record: 20-3 | Last week: 10
Scores: Def. Plano West, 3-0, 7-0
Hitter of the week: Garrett Wallace went 2-for-4 with a home run and RBI in the 7-0 win.
Pitcher of the week: Josh Glaser gave up just two hits in a 3-0 shutout while striking out 10.
Next: Tuesday vs. Lewisville

8. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Record: 10-4-1 | Last week: 11
Scores: Did not play
Next: Tuesday vs. Damien at Boras Classic

9. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Record: 14-3 | Last week: 12
Scores: Def. Servite (Anaheim), 4-3, 3-0, 5-2
Hitter of the week: Gabe Fraser had a double and a home run while going 3-for-3 with two RBI in a 4-3 win.
Pitcher of the week: Gary Morse struck out five and gave up no runs on one hit in a 4-3 win.
Next: Wednesday vs. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City)

10. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.)
Record: 17-3 | Last week: 13
Scores: Def. Newton, 16-0, 14-0
Hitter of the week: Andres Jimenez went 4-for4 with two home runs, four runs scored and four RBI in a 16-0 win.
Pitcher of the week: Porter Berryman threw a four-inning no-hitter in a 16-0 win over Newton, striking out four.
Next: Tuesday vs. IMG Academy

11. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.)
Record: 14-2-1 | Last week: 2
Scores: Lost to Chaminade, 4-2; def. Chaminade, 4-1
Hitter of the week: Bryce Rainer went 3-for-3 with an RBI in a 4-2 loss.
Pitcher of the week: Duncan Marsten struck out nine and gave up no runs on three hits in a 4-1 win.
Next: Tuesday vs. Villa Park, Wednesday vs. Orange Lutheran.

12. North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Fla.)
Record: 12-2 | Last week: 14
Scores: Def. St. John Paul II Academy (Boca Raton), 6-1; def. American Heritage (Plantation), 5-1
Hitter of the week: Gian De Castro went 3-for-3 against American Heritage, rapping two doubles with one RBI. He also went 2-for-3 with two RBI against St. John Paul II.
Pitcher of the week: Mateo Gray struck out nine against American Heritage, giving up one run on two hits.
Next: Tuesday vs. Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale)

13. Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.)
Record: 25-5 | Last week: 5
Scores: Lost to Rossview, 11-6; def. Stanhope Elmore, 3-1; def. Upperman, 7-4
Hitter of the week: Jacob Pearl went 1-for-3 with a double against Upperman.
Pitcher of the week: Jack Shaw got the win over Stanhope Elmore, giving up one run on two hits with seven strikeouts.
Next: Tuesday vs. Buckhorn (New Market)

14. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.)
Record: 11-3 | Last week: 9
Scores: Def. Cardinal Gibbons, 6-0; lost to Park Vista, 8-2
Hitter of the week: Rylan Lujo was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI against Cardinal Gibbons.
Pitcher of the week: Jayden Dubanewicz struck out six and allowed no runs on three hits in six innings against Cardinal Gibbons.
Next: Tuesday vs. American Heritage (Delray Beach)

15. Harlem (Ga.)
Record: 22-0 | Last week: 18
Scores: Def. Academy of Richmond County, 10-0, 14-0
Next: Monday vs. Statesboro

16. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Record: 4-0 | Last week: 19
Scores: Def. Ryle, 6-5; def. Elder, 19-2; def. Loveland, 2-1
Hitter of the week: Matt Ponatoski went 3-for-3 with three runs, two doubles and four RBI against Elder.
Pitcher of the week: Zion Theophilus struck out seven in three innings in getting the win over Elder.
Next: Tuesday vs. DePaul College Prep

17. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
Record: 12-1 | Last week: 20
Scores: Def. Countryside (Clearwater), 5-0
Hitter of the week: Andrew Tess went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBI in the 5-0 win.
Pitcher of the week: Darian Collins struck out four in two innings and gave up no runs on no hits against Countryside.
Next: Tuesday vs. East Lake (Tarpon Springs)

18. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Record: 13-1 | Last week: 21
Scores: Def. Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.), 2-1; def. Buchholz, 11-0; def. Baldwin, 11-1
Hitter of the week: Jordan Martinez went 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run and five RBI against Buccholz.
Pitcher of the week: Tyler Ellis went five innings against Lowndes, giving up one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Next: Tuesday vs. Flagler Palm Coast

19. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)
Record: 15-1 | Last week: 23
Scores: Def. South Dade, 3-2, 5-0; def. Viera, 3-2
Hitter of the week: Michael Torres went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI against Viera.
Pitcher of the week: Sebastian Berrios went seven innings and gave up no runs on one hit with six strikeouts in a 5-0 win over South Dade.
Next: Tuesday vs. South Miami

20. North Cobb Christian (Kennesaw, Ga.)
Record: 18-2 | Last week: 15
Scores: Def. Spanish Fort, 10-2, lost to IMG Academy, 8-1; def. Highland (Warrenton, Va.), 4-3
Hitter of the week: Carson Bruce went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBI against Spanish Fort.
Pitcher of the week: Ross Rea went five innings and gave up one run on two hits with four strikeouts against Spanish Fort.
Next: Friday vs. Bethlehem Christian

21. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 13-2 | Last week: NR
Scores: Def. Libertyville (Ill.), 3-2; def. Tualatin (Ore.), 11-1, def. Staley (Mo.), 4-3
Hitter of the week: AJ Diaz went 3-for-4 with a double and a triple and three RBI against Tualatin.
Pitcher of the week: Boston Kellner gave up one run and struck out six in five innings to beat Tualatin.
Next: Monday vs. Red Mountain

22. Tomball (Texas)
Record: 19-3 | Last week: NR
Scores: Def. Waller, 18-1, 4-1
Next: Tuesday vs. Tomball Memorial

23. Venice (Fla.)
Record: 14-1 | Last week: NR
Scores: Def. Riverview Sarasota, 8-3; def. Sarasota, 2-0
Hitter of the week: Brady Schumaker went 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBI against Riverview.
Pitcher of the week: Jackson Lucas gave up no runs on one hit over seven innings with 12 strikeouts against Sarasota.
Next: Wednesday vs. St. John Neumann

24. Prosper (Texas)
Record: 20-4 | Last week: NR
Scores: Def. Little Elm, 7-1, 5-4
Next: Tuesday vs. Boyd (McKinney)

25. Pensacola Catholic (Pensacola, Fla.)
Record: 14-1 | Last week: NR
Scores: Def. Fort Walton Beach, 11-0; def. Central, 15-0; def. Holmes County, 5-3
Hitter of the week: Vaughn Howard went 1-for-1 with a double and three RBI in the 11-0 win.
Pitcher of the week: Parker Granse throws a five-inning no-hitter against Fort Walton Beach, striking out five.
Next: Tuesday vs. Mountain View