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Coming out of the spring break tournament action, we head back into league play with several races heating up right out of the chute. As a result of most tournament formats (four games in four days), there isn't much movement in this weeks Top 10.
Huntington Beach continues to impress in all facets of the game going an impressive 4-0 in the National Classic en route to the championship. JSerra used the off-week from league to face Cypress in a double header which they split using as many arms and lineup combinations as possible. Dana Hills scored a late run to beat Aliso Niguel 3-2 before being pounded in game two later in the week.
Servite returns to the Top 10 this week and Capo Valley makes its season debut at number nine in the poll.
The rest of the Top 10 is below. Previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Huntington Beach 18-2 (1) - The Oilers were impressive in every game of the National Classic en route to the title. Huntington Beach is a team that likes to pressure their opponents and pounce on their mistakes, as evidenced by this video.
Up Next: 4/23 & 4.25 vs Fountain Valley
2. JSerra - 13-4 (2) - After splitting a double header with Cypress last week, the Lions return to Trinity League play this week. They'll get a chance to gain a little cushion at the top of the league this week against two teams at the bottom of the standings.
Up Next: 4/21 @ OLu; 4/23 & 4/25 v St. John Bosco
3. Dana Hills 16-5 (3) - The Dolphins used a late run to beat Aliso Niguel who had replaced Kyle Molnar by that point in the game. After dropping game two against Aliso Niguel, the Dolphins beat Mira Costa over the weekend. The Sea View League may have three-of-the-best teams in Orange County at the top of the standings, with Dana Hills leading the way.
Up Next: 4/22 & 4/24 v Laguna Hills 4. San Clemente 17-5 (5) - The Tritons swept Laguna Hills in their only two games last week. The big names are beginning to heat up for San Clemente which could be trouble for league opponents over the next few weeks. Infielder Kent Burkle committed to LMU last Wednesday.
Up Next: 4/23 & 4/25 v San Juan Hills
5. Trabuco Hills 16-3 (4) - The Mustangs aren't very flashy in any facet, but they simply get the job done. They got a no-hitter from Matt Torretto to start the Ryan Lemmon Invitational (video by Jonathan Khamis - OCVarsity.com) and had a good showing in the tournament. They'll have an opportunity to gain some separation in league this week against a very good opponent.
Up Next: 4/23 & 4/25 v Tesoro 6. Beckman 14-2 (8) - The Patriots are one of the counties best kept secrets, and I'm sure they don't mind that one bit. After going 4-0 in the Beach Pit Classic, including a 7-3 win over a quality Canyon team, Beckman eases back into league play this week against Irvine who is at the bottom of the league standings. Pitching and offense is the name of the game for the Patriots, and they have plenty of both to make a deep run in the postseason.
Up Next: 4/22 & 4/25 v Irvine
7. Aliso Niguel 12-8 (8) - The Woverines should have swept two against Dana Hills, instead they settled for a split against the #2 team on this poll. Aliso Niguel will have an opportunity this week to make a statement against a team as hot as anyone in the county.
Up Next: 4/23 v Capo Valley (Double Header)
8. Edison 14-5 (9) - The Chargers beat Tesoro 2-1 in their only game last week. They'll have an opportunity to move up the Sunset League standings this week but it won't be easy. The league, considered by many as the best in Orange County, could see a lot of shuffling this week as the top teams face of against one another.
Up Next: 4/23 & 4/25 v Newport Harbor
9. Capo Valley 13-8-1 (NR) - The Cougars have won 8-of-their-last-10 after a slow start to the season. Capo Valley takes a break from league this week in order to face Aliso Niguel in a double header and Paramount in a single game. A good week will give the Cougars plenty of momentum heading into league play next week.
Up Next: 4/23 v Aliso Niguel (Double Header); 4/26 v Paramount (Edison Tournament) 10. Servite 11-7 (NR) - The Friars return to the Top 10 after a double header split with Don Bosco Prep (NJ) last week. They return to the gauntlet of Trinity League with a chance to move up the standings as they face off against a team with a one-game lead in the standings, although Servite beat them the first time through.
Up Next: 4/21 v St. John Bosco; 4/23 & 4/25 v Santa Margarita
Others: Santa Margarita; Tesoro; Cypress; Pacifica; Mission Viejo; Laguna Beach