The Top 25 High School Baseball Teams According to The Times

Southland High School Baseball Rankings: Ninth Week Update

As the ninth week of the high school baseball season unfolds, The Times presents its top 25 rankings for the Southland.

1. ORANGE LUTHERAN (16-3): The team remains at the top after a perfect 4-0 week, culminating in a victory at the Boras Classic championship.
2. NORCO (18-2): Currently positioned for a three-game series against Corona Santiago, they hold steady in second place.
3. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (17-4): After sweeping Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, they secured the top spot in the Mission League, retaining their third-place ranking.
4. ST. JOHN BOSCO (16-5): Notable for Noah Everly’s two-home-run performance against Santa Margarita, they maintain their position at fourth.
5. HUNTINGTON BEACH (16-4-1): With a flawless record of 12-0 in the Sunset League, they remain in fifth place.
6. CORONA (15-4): Anthony Murphy’s impressive season continues, increasing his home run total to seven.
7. SIERRA CANYON (16-4): Brayden Goldstein’s significant contributions keep them competitive, now ranked seventh.
8. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (14-6): Facing a critical three-game series against Sierra Canyon this week, they drop to eighth.
9. LA MIRADA (17-4): They are preparing for a three-game series against Downey while holding steady at ninth.
10. ROYAL (18-2): The Highlanders have managed to overcome pitching injuries thus far.
11. BISHOP ALEMANY (15-5): Their dramatic 14-13 win over Chaminade, which featured seven runs in the bottom of the seventh, keeps them at eleventh.
12. AYALA (18-2): The reliable pitching duo of Caleb Trugman (7-1) and Easton Sarmiento (6-1) is instrumental for the team, ensuring their place at twelve.
13. CYPRESS (17-5): A sweeping victory against El Dorado boosts them into thirteenth place.
14. OAKS CHRISTIAN (15-5): The team finds itself one game behind Westlake in the Marmonte League title race.
15. GANESHA (15-1-1): Logan Schmidt delivered an outstanding performance, hitting two home runs and striking out 14 in a single game.
16. SOUTH HILLS (17-4): They are gearing up for a three-game series against Alta Loma this week.
17. SANTA MARGARITA (14-8): The team is set to face off against top-ranked Orange Lutheran.
18. THOUSAND OAKS (15-6): Jake Ange continues to be a key offensive player, now ranked eighteenth.
19. GAHR (10-9-1): An important three-game series against Warren looms ahead as they navigate their season.
20. NEWPORT HARBOR (16-6): They have a matchup coming up against Fountain Valley.
21. CORONA SANTIAGO (15-7): Troy Randall’s consistent hitting keeps them competitive, moving them to twenty-first.
22. AQUINAS (14-7): This week features a showdown against the 18-4 Linfield Christian.
23. MATER DEI (11-7): They are currently in a tight race for an automatic playoff berth within the Trinity League.
24. VILLA PARK (14-7-1): Jack McGuire’s striking performance, which included 16 strikeouts in a win against Foothill, lands them in twenty-fourth.
25. SERVITE (13-8): They conclude their regular season with key games against St. John Bosco, Orange Lutheran, and Cypress.

The rankings highlight the competitive landscape as teams strive for playoff positioning in the fast-approaching postseason.