1. Tampa Catholic (9-0)
Last Week: Win, 5-4 v Tampa Prep; Win, 5-1 vs CCC; Win, 11-1 vs St Petersburg
Daniel Smythe’s walk-off RBI double and strong relief pitching from Jack Giovenco got TC started on a three-win week; Dominic Woodward doubled, drove in a run and struck out 11 in a win against Clearwater Central Catholic; and Woodward, Jose Carrero and Carson Arnold each plated two runs in a win against St. Pete. No need saving the surprise – our The Hitting Academy-Brandon Week 4 Game of the Week will by Friday at Jesuit – likely deciding next week’s No. 1.
This Week: vs SLAM (Mon); vs Shorecrest Prep (Tues); at Jesuit (Fri)
2. Jesuit (7-1)
Last Week: Win, 5-3 at Venice; Win, 4-1 v Miami Killian; Win, 5-4 v Miami Belen Jesuit
Vincent DeCarlo’s walk-off home run against Belen Jesuit capped a three-game run of challenges met successfully for the Tigers. Wilson Andersen struck out seven and doubled in a run, and DeCarlo cleared the bases in a win at Venice on Thursday. And Bryce Besece (double) and Christian Sheffield supported a solid start from Ryan Thompson (3ip, 2 H, 5 Ks) in the sandwiched win against Miami Killian on Friday. The Tigers schedule doesn’t let up any this week with a visit to perennial 2A playoff contender Newman, a shot to win its 13th straight against TC, and a visit from state powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.
This Week: at Naples Newman (Tues); vs Tampa Catholic (Fri); vs Ft Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (Sat)
3. Bloomingdale (6-1)
Last Week: Win, 10-1 at TBT; Win, 9-0 v Durant; Win, 2-1 vs Steinbrenner
After giving up a leadoff home run against Steinbrenner on Saturday, junior Javier Navas-Hoyer (6ip, 1 R, 7 Ks) kept the Warriors to just two singles and a double, as the Bulls wrapped up a three-win week with a 2-1 win. A bunch of Bulls reserves put up 10 in a decisive win at TBT to start the week; and Hayden Porter spun a two-hitter (8 Ks) to blank Durant on Friday. Alvin Cruz went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI vs the Cougars; and Izzy Perez was 2-for-3 with a two-run single against the Warriors as the Bulls have now won six-straight.
This Week: at Lennard (Tues); vs Brandon (Fri)
4. Plant (6-1)
Last Week: Win, 4-1 v Stienbrenner; Win, 13-0 v East Lake; Win, 8-0 v Hillsborough
A solid jump for the Panthers, after a trio of wins last week, as Danny Cerelli has been a monster at the plate (hitting .631, with 15 RBI and five doubles) and Cash Strayer has found his power with homers in back-to-back games. Plant pitchers have allowed opponents just seven earned runs this season.
This Week: at Jefferson (Tues); vs Alonso (Fri); at Chamberlain (Sat)
5. Newsome (7-1)
Last Week: Win, 16-0 v Brandon; Win, 4-2 v Chamberlain; Win, 2-1 v Alonso
The Wolves pitching staff has been very impressive as Newsome has ripped off seven-straight wins since in opening night loss to Plant. Last week, Jacob Swartzlander struck 10 in a four-inning, mercy-rule, one-hitter against Brandon; Cameron Wood held Chamberlain to just one hit and one run in five innings with 8 Ks; and senior Aiden Dolan limited Alonso to one run on five hits, with 8 Ks for his third win on the mound this season.
This Week: at Plant City (Tues); vs Riverview (Thurs)
6. Wharton (7-1)
Last Week: Win, 13-1 at Tampa Bay Tech; Win, 1-0 v Robinson; Win, 6-5 (9) v Riverview
Daniel Duno delivered an absolute gem of a performance in a complete-game one-run win against Robinson on Thursday, and the Wildcats were put to the test by Riverview – playing into extra innings, before Justis Meadows doubled in a game-ending run. Meadows’ solo homer won the game against the Knights, and the senior drove in a pair in the week’s opener at TBT.
This Week: at Middleton (Tues); at Steinbrenner (Sat)
7. Berkeley Prep (6-2)
Last Week: Win, 15-6 at Lakeland; Win, 15-0 v Cambridge Christian; Win, 7-4 v Lakeland McKeel
Rivers Kurland’s four-inning no hitter against Cambridge Christian may be the highlight on last week, but the Buccaneers offense absolutely crushed the baseball. Berkeley Prep’s hitters slugged 35 hits in 18 innings, with seven doubles, a triple and a home run. Parker Mitzel homered and drove in six in two games last week; Ben O’Brien drove in four and struck out 11 in his start against McKeel; and Josh Herrmann had five hits, drove in four and scored four on the week.
This Week: vs Tampa Prep (Tues); at Bishop McLaughlin (Thurs); at CCC (Fri)
8. Robinson (6-2)
Last Week: Win, 3-0 at Gaither; Loss, 1-0 at Wharton; Win, 11-1 at Freedom
Samuel Hyman held Gaither to just three hits in a 7-K, complete-game shutout and doubled in a run in the win; Nathan Porath pitched a great game at Wharton, going six innings, allowed four hits and struck out seven but was foiled by a solo home run; and the Knights put up 11 runs on 14 hits – including a 3-for-4, two run, two RBI game from Collin Rosenberg.
This Week: at Steinbrenner (Tues)
9. Gaither (6-2)
Last Week: Loss, 3-0 v Robinson; Win, 4-3 (13) v Plant City; Win, 12-4 v Chamberlain
Gaither faced some challenges last week, dropping a game to Robinson; then played 13 innings against Plant City before Jackson Mirza RBI single to center ended the game in the Cowboys favor; and produced steadily to win decisively against Chamberlain with freshman Yanier Chirinos going 4-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Two big rivalry games with Alonso and Leto and a visit from state powerhouse Aquinas will be a big test for Gaither this week.
This Week: at Alonso (Tues); vs Leto (Thurs); vs Ft Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (Fri)
10. Strawberry Crest (4-2)
Last Week: Win, 10-7 v Armwood; Win, 2-0 at Sickles
Nico Cappucci homered and singled and drove in four in a slugfest-win against Armwood on Tuesday, and Chase Conti struck out seven in relief and got the win. Brisen Tweedy and the Chargers defense led the way in a 2-0 win at Sickles on Saturday. This week’s schedule looks favorable for Crest, but the Chargers need to watch out for the trap-game with Riverview (5-3) on Saturday, as the Sharks have provided some stiff tests to teams this season.
This Week: vs Hillsborough (Tues); at Chamberlain (Thurs); at Riverview (Sat)
Bubble Teams
11. Alonso (5-2)
12. Carrollwood Day (5-2)
13. Sumner (4-2)
14. Sickles (4-3)
15. Riverview (5-3)
