Heights Meat Market presents:
1. Bloomingdale (16-2)
Bloomingdale senior RHP Luke Long
Luke Long struck out seven across five-plus scoreless innings as Bloomingdale defeated Sumner to start the week, then Izzy Perez helped spark a comeback win against Plant City with a home run and an RBI single late in the game. The Bulls stretched its county-leading win streak to nine games but has three big tests ahead, starting with a two-game series against Plant (away on Tues; home on Thurs), and a Saturday game against visiting Wharton.
2. Tampa Catholic (17-3)
Tampa Catholic RHP Finn Fluker
The Crusaders won 3-of-4 in Week 7, defeating Cambridge Christian and Carrollwood Day decisively, and winning an extra-inning game against IMG White. TC rallied late but couldn’t wrap up an undefeated week, dropping a 10-9 decision to Sarasota Cardinal Mooney on Saturday. DJ Ford went 8-for-13 with a game-winning double against IMG, a homer against CDS and seven RBI & five runs on the week; Finn Fluker tossed a five-inning no-hitter against the Patriots. Tampa Catholic welcomes Clearwater Central Catholic (Mon) and hosts Jesuit (Wed).
3. Strawberry Crest (14-5)
Strawberry Crest junior Josh Cespedes
The Chargers won three games last week by defeating Hillsborough, Chamberlain and Newsome as the offense went off, scoring 35 runs on 27 hits and 20 walks. Josh Cespedes was a big part of that, going 7-for-9, with a double, triple and homer, seven runs, six RBI and two stolen bases; Bubba Blount made two appearances on the mound, earned a win against Hillsborough, and pitched a combined six innings, giving up one unearned run on four hits with seven strikeouts. Crest hosts Sickles (Tues) and Steinbrenner (Thurs), and will travel to Gaither (Sat).
4. Jesuit (15-5)
Jesuit went 2-2 in the USA Baseball HS Invitational in Cary, NC last week sandwiching wins against California’s Aquinas and Colorado’s Aurora in between losses to Kentucky’s Trinity and Nolensville (Tenn). Wilson Andersen led the win against Aquinas, going 3-for-3 with two RBI and earning the win on the mound; Kaden Waechter (loss vs Trinity) and Samir Mohammed (no-decision against Trinity) each had 10 strikeouts in their starts. The Tigers have one game this week – another showdown with Tampa Catholic on the road on Wednesday.
5. Wharton (12-4-1)
Wharton senior C Chase Anello
Wharton won big against Freedom and Brandon to start the week, then a 6-2 win against Gaither to close out a three-win week. Chase Anello went 5-for-9 with a homer and four RBI; and Cooper Antalek earned the win over the Cowboys, allowing one unearned run over his five innings with five strikeouts. This week the Wildcats have a rubber match at home against Freedom (Tues), then travel to Durant (Thurs) and Bloomingdale (Sat).
6. Berkeley Prep (16-5)
The Buccaneers defeated Wesley Chapel on Friday night behind homers from seniors Parker Mitzel and Josh Herrmann, but Berkeley Prep struggled with a quick turnaround at noon on Saturday in Ocala, dropping a 9-2 decision to Trinity Catholic to snap a 12-game win streak. This week the Bucs will host Lakewood Ranch (Tues) and Carrollwood Day (Thurs).
7. Gaither (14-4)
Another gem from Mathew Altman and a home run by Ryan Deak led Gaither to a 7-0 win against Sickles, but the Cowboys couldn’t keep pace with Wharton in a 6-2 loss. SJ Branham went 4-for-5 in the two games, with a home run. Gaither travels to Newsome (Tues) and East Bay (Thurs), then host Strawberry Crest on Saturday.
8. Jefferson (12-5-1)
Jefferson senior RHP Sam Hyman
Jefferson handled Leto to start the week, defeated Sickles 4-1, but dropped a tough 2-1 decision against Steinbrenner on Saturday. Sam Hyman had seven hits and seven RBI on the week, and held the Gryphons to one run over six innings on the mound; and Ethan Savinon scored five runs. Jefferson plays three this week – against King (Tues), at Morgan (Thurs) and hosts Riverview (Sat).
9. Sumner (13-6)
Sumner RHP Jaylin Chambers
After dropping a game to Bloomingdale to start the week, Sumner got back in the win column with wins against Newsome and Spoto. Jaylin Chambers picked up the win against the Wolves, with five innings, two unearned runs and six strikeouts; Matthew Rangel struck out nine in two relief outings; Cameron Pacquette had a hit in all three games, with three RBI; and Winston Pennant hit his third home run of the year against Spoto. The Stingrays travel to Leto (Tues) and host Alonso (Thurs) in the week ahead.
10. Cambridge Christian (13-5-1)
Cambridge Christian shook off a 10-run loss to Tampa Catholic to start the week, with a 15-4 win against Tampa Prep for a .500 week. Blake Hafner went 5-for-7 on the week with two runs and two RBI; Jayden Jardine hit a grand slam against the Terrapins; and junior Robert Moore hit his first varsity home run. The Lancers travel to Bishop McLaughlin on Tuesday, before aiming to defend last year’s Sunshine State Athletic Conference State Title by opening against Casselberry Geneva on Thursday from Sanford.
On the Bubble…
Sickles (12-7)
East Bay (11-6)
Plant (11-8)
Alonso (10-8)
Freedom (12-6)
