High school baseball rankings: St. Mary's Prep crowned MaxPreps National Champion after going wire-to-wire as No. 1

To become a national champion, it takes consistency, talent and even a little bit of luck. St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.) used all three to its advantage Saturday to win the Michigan Division 1 high school baseball state championship. The Eaglets finished the season 44-0, went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings and are the 2022 MaxPreps National Champions.

St. Mary’s Prep has shown its consistency by never relinquishing the No. 1 ranking after being named the top team in the preseason. Despite moving up to Division 1 this year, the Eaglets finished unbeaten and have won 66 games in a row since winning the Division 2 title last year. St. Mary's Prep is 87-1 over the past two years.

The Eaglets showcased their talent in a 9-0 semifinal win over Forest Hills Northern. Pitcher Brock Porter, a potential first-round selection in next month’s MLB Draft, threw a seven-inning no-hitter, his third of the season, to advance St. Mary’s Prep to the championship game against Grosse Pointe North.

It also helps to have a little luck. The Eaglets scored their lone run against Grosse Pointe North after an errant pick-off attempt at first base allowed Nolan Schubart to move from first base to third. An Ike Irish groundout drove Schubart home for the 1-0 lead in the first inning. Grosse Pointe North had a similar situation in the sixth when an error allowed the runner to go from first to third. However, St. Mary's Prep caught the baserunner in a rundown on an attempted double steal to end Grosse Pointe North's best chance of tying the game.

In earning the MaxPreps Top 25 National Championship, St. Mary’s Prep registered several firsts. It became the first Michigan school since national baseball rankings began in 1976 to finish No. 1. The Eaglets also became the first team to go wire-to-wire as the top team in the country and their 44-0 record also ranks as the best record ever for a national championship team.

In any other year, Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.) would have been the easy choice for national champions. In addition to playing a rugged schedule in South Florida, the Eagles won the National High School Invitational in early April. However, no team has won the NHSI and a national championship in the same season. Stoneman Douglas came the closest to accomplishing that feat this year in finishing No. 2 behind St. Mary's Prep.


1. St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.)
Record: 44-0 | Last week: 1
Division 1 champion

2. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.)
Record: 30-2 | Last week: 2
7A state champion

3. Providence (Charlotte, N.C.)
Record: 34-0 | Last week: 3
4A state champion

4. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 23-2 | Last week: 4

5. Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
Record: 34-8 | Last week: 5
6A state champion

6. North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.)
Record: 39-1 | Last week: 6
AAAA state champion

7. Sumrall (Miss.)
Record: 35-1 | Last week: 7
4A state champion

8. West Monroe (La.)
Record: 33-4 | Last week: 8
5A state champion

9. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.)
Record: 34-3 | Last week: 9
6A state champion

10. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 29-4 | Last week: 10
6A state champion

11. Hartselle (Ala.)
Record: 39-4 | Last week: 11
6A state champion

12. Edwardsville (Ill.)
Record: 36-4 | Last week: 12
4A state champion

13. Miami Christian (Miami)
Record: 29-3 | Last week: 13
2A state champion

14. Charlotte Christian (Charlotte, N.C.)
Record: 30-3 | Last week: 14
NCISAA Division 1 champion

15. Woodstock (Ga.)
Record: 33-7 | Last week: 15
AAAAAAA state champion

16. Pope (Marietta, Ga.)
Record: 33-7 | Last week: 16
AAAAAA state champion

17. Silo (Okla.)
Record: 30-0 | Last week: 17
2A state champion

18. Sinton (Texas)
Record: 36-1 | Last week: 18
4A state champion

19. Huntington Beach (Calif.)
Record: 25-9 | Last week: 19
Southern California Division 1 champion

20. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Record: 25-11 | Last week: 20
Southern California Division 1 runner-up; Southern Section Division 1 champion

21. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Record: 27-6 | Last week: 21
Northern California Division 1 champion

22. Brother Rice (Chicago)
Record: 36-6 | Last week: 22
4A third place

23. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Record: 25-5 | Last week: 23

24. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)
Record: 25-4-1 | Last week: 24
6A state champion

25. Reagan (San Antonio, Texas)
Record: 32-7-2 | Last week: 25
6A runner-up