1. Gaither (5-0) =

Gaither senior Michael Fernandez

After Week 1’s three-win start, the Cowboys rallied late to pick up a 4-2 win against Leto, and Michael Fernandez spun a one-hitter in a 7-0 win at Bloomingdale to keep Gaither undefeated heading to Week 3. Nico Lopez (.400, eight runs, three RBI) and Angel Hernandez (.375, six RBI, eight runs) are leading a red-hot Cowboys offense through five starts. Gaither travels to Sickles (the team that ended the Cowboys 2023 season in the region final) on Tuesday, and faces the Gryphons again at Lennard next Saturday to begin the Saladino Tournament.

2. Durant (4-0) =

A big week for senior Chase Mobley, who went 4-for-7, with four RBI and three runs scored at the plate last week in a 18-1 win against Brandon, and a 2-0 win against Alonso. He also tossed five no-hit innings against the Ravens, striking out 10. Blaine Rowland scored three times against the Eagles last week, and worked two scoreless against Alonso on the mound. The Cougars go on the road this week, traveling to Bloomingdale (Tues), Robinson (Thurs), and starting the Saladino off against Tampa Catholic on Saturday.

3. Jefferson (4-0) ☝️1

Jefferson senior Mikey Marroquin

Two decisive Dragons wins last week keep Jefferson undefeated AND moving up the board. First up, the J-Boys took out central Tampa rival Hillsborough, 8-1, as seniors CJ Padilla, Hayden Sekanick and Alliuq Troupe each drove in a pair; then dispatched Plant City, 12-2, with senior Cameron Mallo (3-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, 2 runs, SB) and freshman Moises Gudino (3-for-4, 2 runs) leading the way. The Dragons will once again host Saladino Gold pool-play, opening Saturday afternoon against Plant, but first have a Tuesday district visit with Robinson, and a Thursday game against Chamberlain.

4. Sickles (3-1) ☝️1

Sickles junior Jordan Yost

The Gryphons have won three-straight including twin, 8-1 victories last week on the road at Steinbrenner and Strawberry Crest (click here for our coverage). A big week at the plate from senior Michael Bynum (4-for-7, four RBI, run) and junior Jordan Yost (5-for-8, 2B, 2 runs, RBI) supported solid pitching in both wins. Sickles sandwiches TWO games against top-ranked Gaither (home on Tuesday, and at Lennard for Saladino opener Saturday), around a visit to Spoto on Thursday.

5. Jesuit (2-2) 👇3

Jesuit senior Jacob Lozano

No panic here – it’s Week 2, but Jesuit struggled against a strong Venice team, dropping its second game in a row at home, but salvaged the week with a win against rival school Tampa Catholic, as Antonio Fawcett came through with a key RBI double, and Jacob Lozano singled in the deciding run. The Tigers head to South Florida for Spring Break this week, facing Miami Sunset Wednesday afternoon, before a showdown of two of the state’s finest when the Tigers visit defending 7A state champs, Parkland Stoneman Douglas; all before opening Saladino play on Saturday against Newsome (at Strawberry Crest).

6. Strawberry Crest (3-1) =

The Chargers visited down-the-street neighbor Armwood and came away with a 7-1 win, sparked by a home run from sophomore Dillon Knight, and a trio of senior pitchers (Landon Wood, Brayden DiCerb, Akhil Nimmala), who allowed just one unearned. But Crest dropped its first game of year, unable to get much damage in on Sickles pitching. The Chargers are another Saladino Gold pool-play host, kicking things off with Leto on Saturday, but first have visits from Hillsborough and Newsome ahead.

7. Alonso (2-2) ☝️1

The Ravens got two-hit, two-RBI showings from Alvin Santiago and Samuel Fernandez as Alonso pounded out 10 hits in a 10-2 win against Robinson to start last week. But were unable to get much going against senior pitching duo, falling 2-0. We can’t ding Alonso too hard here – losing on the year to two Top 4 teams – and attrition from last week’s list see’s the Ravens up a spot on our list. We look to see them earning their spot next week with a pair of games visiting Pinellas squads, district foe Palm Harbor on Tuesday (4pm) and at East Lake on Thursday, before traveling to Tampa Catholic on Saturday for its Saladino opener against Steinbrenner.

8. Tampa Catholic (3-2) 👇1

Tampa Catholic junior Lucas Cinnante

TC picked up a district win against Tampa Prep, 9-2, to start the week as Lucas Cinnante worked three shutout innings on the mound and drove in a pair of runs at the plate. Unfortunately, the Crusaders wound up on the wrong side of a 2-1 battle with Jesuit last Friday, despite strong pitching that allowed just two runs on four hits, and struck out eight. A district tilt at home against Berkeley Prep on Tuesday, and a visit from IMG Black on Thursday start the week, before TC will serve as a Saladino host opening tournament play against Durant on Saturday.

9. Carrollwood Day (5-0) ⭐

Carrollwood Day senior catcher Ethan Heintz and junior Nick Riedel

The Patriots jump into our rankings after five games of domination, outscoring opponents 53-16 this season. As a team CDS is hitting .311 with nine doubles, while picking up wins over Brooks DeBartolo, St. Pete Hollins and Wharton last week. Senior Ethan Heintz had four ribbies on the week, and junior Nick Riedel joins our Players of the Week honorees below, driving in five, scoring six last week, and earning a win on the mound against Wharton. CDS hosts Countryside tonight, Shorecrest Prep on Wednesday, and then Patriots will play Spoto to kick off the Saladino Bronze Tournament on Saturday, and enter as the division favorite in our opinion.

10. Lennard (3-1) ⭐

This was a tough call between the Longhorns and another 3-1 team, Hillsborough, for the No. 10 spot, but Lennard gets the nod and makes its Top 10 debut this year, after picking up two wins this week. First the Longhorns held Spoto to just two hits in a mercy-rule win, with seven strikeouts in four innings from Pablo Garcia; then took down visiting Steinbrenner, 5-1, with senior Kevin Hunter (see below) driving in a pair, and Talan Miranda striking out nine, and allowing just one run in his six innings on the mound.

⭐: New to rankings this week; ☝️: Moved up; 👇: Moved down; = : Same as last week

Dropping out this week: Plant (2-2); Bloomingdale (2-2)

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8 Top Performers

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1 Favorite Thing from last Week

Our visit to Blake on Friday night included a pregame ceremonial first pitch from Yellow Jackets junior catcher Marcus Smith, who suffered a broken jaw in his team’s week one game against Robinson. Smith, who spent a few days in the hospital, before returning to school. Smith’s teammates wanted to recognize and welcome back their friend to throw out the pitch for the Yellow Jacket’s first home game. Though unable to play at the moment, Smith definitely was a vocal and high-energy supporter for his team from the dugout, while also keeping the scoreboard running. Get well (and get back out on the field) soon, Marcus!

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3 Games to Watch this week

Jesuit at (MaxPreps’ National #1) Stoneman Douglas, Wednesday: The Tigers will face likely the biggest challenge of its regular season schedule against the defending 7A state champion Eagles (5-0). Jesuit has a chance to pick up two BIG wins in South Florida (also playing Miami Sunset (5-1)), that could serve as a reignition to the early season after a 2-2 start.

Lennard (3-1) at Plant (2-2), Wednesday: The Longhorns have won three-straight since dropping the opener to Alonso, but we’re still looking for a few more wins against quality opponents, before we buy in fully. And, while the Panthers are a mystery to us at this point, and this game is in the middle of a tough three-game week between Leto and Jefferson (Saladino).

Bell Creek (3-1) at Tampa Prep (2-2), Friday: While the bulk of the county is off as they gear up for Saladino Saturday, we think Friday’s game to see is a Downtown Showdown between 3A-District 5 opponents Bell Creek and Tampa Prep. The Panthers had a rough outing against Seffner Christian last week, but have a strong senior class to lead them. While the Terrapin returners have to be hungry to get some revenge after a 6-1 loss to BCA in the regular season last year.

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