SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: Baseball Rankings, March 6th, 2023
La Mirada, San Dimas, and Bonita are the top-three teams this week.
La Serna’s Nick Williams threw a two-hitter in La Serna’s 1-0 win over host California High. (Escarcega)
La Mirada (4-1): Nothing quite like a return to Gateway League action for a little feel-good therapy. Eric Jeon was the star of the week as he tossed a no-hitter and struck out nine in the Matadores’ 7-0 win over Warren. Did you see who is leading the team in hitting? It would be Maverek Russell (offered by UCLA) at .500. Like I said John Savage knows what he is looking at. They’ll be facing off against Bonita at the Perfect Game Tournament in Orange County this week. Great measuring stick to see how La Mirada fares against one of the top teams in the area.
San Dimas (4-2): Ah yes, a little revenge for the Saints as they pulled out a 1-0 win over Bonita on Saturday. Kody King was sharp in the mound as he tossed a two-hitter and struck out nine to earn the win. Time to move forward and it doesn’t get any better than Wednesday’s non-league clash with Calabasas, whose only loss of the year was to Crespi (who is the top-ranked team in the current MaxPreps computer rankings). Very nice test for Regan’s troops.
Bonita (4-1): First loss of the year was to their archrivals in San Dimas, so it does have to sting a little bit. Can’t let it affect them too much with a showdown with La Mirada staring them right in the face this week. How will the Bearcats react to the loss? Stay tuned.
Arcadia (5-1): Maxpreps/Freeman computer ratings like this team as they are tied with La Mirada with the highest rating among area teams. Had a little scare on Friday as they were pushed by Pasadena but ended up winning 2-1. The back end of the home and home series takes place on Monday and we’ll be there to take it all in. Look for Gabe Lopez to get the call from coach Nick Lemas in Monday’s game.
La Serna (5-2): Long Beach State commit Nick Williams was simply sensational for the Lancers on Friday as he tossed a two-hitter and struck out eight in the huge 1-0 Del Rio League road win over Cal. He was in total command of his pitches throughout the game. However, in the Del Rio League, you are only as good as your last win, so for the Lancers – it’s another road trip to Santa Fe in a possible trap game on Friday. Let the madness begin.
Maranatha (4-2): Excuse us for not getting too excited about Maranatha’s Olympic League opening day win over Valley Christian, 10-3. With the amount of talent on this team, there should be no hiccups along their journey to a league title. They have two more Olympic League games against Village Christian and Whittier Christian, they should be 3-0 in league play by the end of the week.
South Hills (4-2): Not holding the loss to Newbury Park too much against them, but it’s time for the Huskies to start flexing their muscles, and no better team to do it than against Glendora. The Tartans are starting to play some nice baseball, so this game becomes a must-watch game on Wednesday. Cal State Fullerton fans should take note that future Titan Marcos Rosales leads the team in hitting with a .375 average.
Moises Escobedo of Bishop Amat (Escarcega)
Bishop Amat (5-2): If there are three words to best describe the Lancers this year it would be… pitching, pitching, and pitching. There is no team that has a more quality staff than the Lancers. Sean Suriyaniel has been fine, but we were very impressed with the way Moises Escobedo performed in last Saturday’s 7-0 over visiting St. Paul. Committed to Cal State LA, Escobedo has not allowed a run in his last two starts. It doesn’t get any better than Friday's showdown with La Salle at Arcadia County Park.
Charter Oak (4-2): Anthony Vasquez showed Santa Fe last Saturday he was a first-team All-CIF selection as he tossed a one-hitter in their 4-0 win over the Chiefs. It’s only a matter of time before the Chargers start moving up the rankings, they are the team with the biggest upside at this time. On a day that is featuring so many top-caliber matchups, their road game at La Habra might get lost among the trees, but it shouldn’t. I can see this game going extra innings.
La Salle (5-2): Say what you want about Andy Nieto, but he is finally getting things going at La Salle and they are in first place in the always competitive Del Rey League standings at 3-0. Now it's time to pass its third test of the season. They lost to Bonita and beat Charter Oak – now it’s time for big bad Bishop Amat on Friday at Arcadia County Park. Can we get a pitch clock for this game??
