Heights Meat Market presents:
1. Tampa Catholic (10-0)
Crusaders RHP Talan Miranda
The Crusaders are the county’s last remaining unbeaten and ascend to the top spot of our list after defeating Tampa Prep, Carrollwood Day and dethroning previous No. Jesuit, 6-2 on Saturday. Senior Talan Miranda wen 4-for-6 with three RBI in the first two wins, then pitched 6 2/3 against Jesuit to defeat the Tigers for the second time in two years. Cole Bitman was 6-for-11 on the week with two doubles, a triple and four RBI; and Finn Fluker pitched a complete-game against the Terrapins, allowed one run on just five hits and no walks. TC will travel to face IMG Royal (Tues) before opening up against Wharton (Sat) at Plant City HS to start the Saladino Tournament.
2. Jefferson (8-1)
Jefferson junior Manny Baez
Sumner finally quieted the bat of Ethan Savinon on Saturday – only fair since the Dragons junior dealt the Stingrays a 10-strikeout loss; while he went 6-for-7 with six RBI in early-week wins over Plant and Robinson. He now has 17 hits, 17 RBI and seven doubles on the year. Manny Baez also had a good week at the plate going 4-for-9 with four runs and four RBI on the week. Jefferson has a challenging week ahead with a trip to Gaither (Tues), a visit to Freedom (Thurs) and opening up Saladino Tourney play at home against Plant (Sat).
3. Gaither (10-1)
Gaither C Jose Gutierrez
The Cowboys starting pitching was incredible last week, with Noah Lockler, Dylan Schale and Matt Altman combining for 13 shutout innings and 18 strikeouts in wins over Wiregrass Ranch, Leto and Bloomingdale. Altman’s five innings against Bloomingdale was supported by a three-run homer from SJ Branham to secure a 3-2 win and move the Cowboys up four spots this week. Ryan Deak had a hit and run in all three games, and catcher Jose Gutierrez went 3-for-7 with three RBI and threw out a base runner late against Bloomingdale. Gaither hosts Jefferson (Tues) and East Bay (Thurs), before opening Saladino play at Jefferson against East Bay (Sat).
4. Jesuit (8-2)
Tigers SP Wilson Andersen
The Tigers fall a few spots this week after dropping a game to Tampa Catholic on Saturday, but Jesuit also picked up a pair of wins as well. Jaeger Bedford struck out seven across four no-hit innings in a 10-0 win against Carrollwood Day; Wilson Andersen drove in three against CDS and then struck out 12 on the mound in a win against Bishop Verot; and Brady Marshall stayed hot at the plate going 5-for-7 on the week. Jesuit will host Virginia’s Miller School of Albemarle (Tues), state powerhouse Venice (Thurs), and travel to Orlando’s The First Academy (Sat).
5. Wharton (7-1)
Wharton’s Alex Capezzuti rounds the bases after his home run against Strawberry Crest.
The Wildcats belted six home runs as a team in Week 4, but slip down a few spots after a 2-1 run – including a pair of 8-2 wins against Armwood and Strawberry Crest sandwiched around a 5-4 loss at Robinson. Chase Andress homered twice against Armwood; Tomas Rivera went yard twice against Robinson; and Chase Anello and Alex Capezzuti parked baseball’s in the win over the Chargers, where Cooper Antalek held Crest to one run over six innings on the mound. Wharton visits Hillsborough (Tues), hosts Plant City (Thurs), then heads to Plant City to face Tampa Catholic in its Saladino opener (Sat).
6. Freedom (8-1)
Freedom 1B Parker Crafton
A Parker Crafton two-run triple and an RBI single by Logan Handville allowed the Patriots to just skate by Chamberlain on Tuesday, before rain washed away the rest of Freedom’s week. David Simpkins struck out 10 and allowed two runs against the Storm to earn his third win this season. Freedom hosts Armwood (Tues) and Jefferson (Thurs), before opening Saladino play in the Silver Division against host Carrollwood Day (Sat).
7. Bloomingdale (7-2)
Bloomingdale senior Luke Long
Luke Long homered and doubled to drive in four in a lopsided win over Morgan, but the Bulls rally fell short in dropping a 3-2 decision to Gaither on Saturday. Sophomore Gavin Mathis struck out four over three innings to earn his first win of the year in a mercy-rule win against the Mustangs; and senior Vaughn Osting struck out eight, but was tagged with two runs and the loss against the Cowboys. The Bulls hosts Durant (Tues) and Brandon (Thurs) before a second game against the Cougars on Saturday as Bloomingdale attempts to defend its Saladino title.
8. Berkeley Prep (8-4)
Berkeley Prep RHP Jett Walters
The Buccaneers ripped off four wins last week as the offense is finally back to full strength. Jett Walters bookended the week with wins over Bishop McLaughlin and Bishop Verot, pitching 13 innings, allowing three earned runs and struck out nine – while also homering against Clearwater Central Catholic and going 3-for-4 with two runs in a win against Sickles. Lucas Farrar doubled, homered and drove in six against the Gryphons; Josh Herrmann went 7-for-14 with six runs and homered in the final two games of the week; and Carson Binder was 7-for-13, with a home run, five RBI and three runs scored. Berkeley travels to Lakeland McKeel Academy (Tues) and Tampa Prep (Wed), before wrapping a three-game week with a visit from Lakeland (Sat).
9. Cambridge Christian (7-3-1)
Cambridge Christian junior Robert Moore
Will Snider tossed a five-inning, no-hitter in a mercy-rule win against Brooks DeBartolo. Ian Jansen was 4-for-5 on the week, with six runs and six RBI – including two homers against IMG Silver; Robert Moore was 4-for-6 with four runs scored; and Alex Quintero homered and drove in five against the Phoenix. Cambridge Christian has two with Seffner Christian (away on Tues; home on Thurs), then opens Saladino Gold Division play with a game against Steinbrenner (Sat at Sickles HS).
10. Strawberry Crest (8-3)
Strawberry Crest senior Nico Cappucci
The Chargers stopped a three-game skid with a 5-4 win over St Thomas Aquinas on Saturday, where Saxon Shaw struck out six to pick up the win on the mound, and Nico Cappucci doubled in two and stole home in the win. The week also included losses to Wesley Chapel and Wharton. Crest will visit Sumner (Thurs) and open up its Saladino Tournament games against the Raiders at Plant City (Sat).
On the Bubble…
Sickles (7-3)
Foundation Christian (7-0)
Plant City (7-4)
Sumner (6-4)
Alonso (6-4)
