After a two-year hiatus, the National High School Invitational gets underway this week in Cary (N.C.) and the 16-team event figures to have tremendous influence on next week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school baseball rankings.
Seven teams from this week's rankings are competing in the NHSI, which annually features some of the top teams in the nation. Among those teams are three-time defending champion Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), Buford (Ga.), 2014 champion The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.), Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park, Fla.), Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.), and Yucaipa (Calif.).
The Lancers won three straight times from 2017-19. The even was not held in 2020 or 2021. They rose to No. 12 this week after three straight Trinity League wins over St. John Bosco last week.
As the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, Buford (Ga.) figures to be the favorite in the tournament; however, it should be noted that 14 of the event's past finalists have been California teams with seven of those teams, all from Orange County, winning the championship.
Meanwhile, No. 1 St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.) had an extremely impressive opening week. Besides winning one game on a no-hitter, the Eaglets also have bashed 15 home runs in three games. Three games into the season, St. Mary's Prep already ranks No. 24 in the nation, according to the MaxPreps leaderboards, for team home runs.
Dropped out: No. 17. Deer Creek (Edmond, Okla.); No. 19. Owasso (Okla.); No. 25. Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison, Miss.)
Best game: Calvary Christian vs. Jesuit (Tampa). The Warriors scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings, but Jesuit rallied for a single run in the top of the eighth on a triple by A.J. Nessler.
Player of the Week: Ike Irish, St. Mary's Prep. The Eaglet catcher got off to a phenomenal start as he had two home runs in the season opener and hit three more home runs in the third game. He is 5-for-6 on the season (.833) with 11 RBI. All five of his hits are home runs.
Games to watch: St. Mary's Prep vs. University Liggett. In the non-NHSI category, the Eaglets face a team that could be the second-best team in the state in University Liggett. Coach Dan Cimini led the Knights to their sixth state championship last year and he's appeared in a state record nine championship games. St. Mary's Prep could be facing it toughest opponent of the season.
Streaks: Silo (Okla.) raised its win streak to 40 games, including 11 this year. Coach Billy Jack Bowen raised his national best career wins total to 2,172 wins.
Ike Irish, St. Mary's Prep
Photo by Mariusz Nowak
1. St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Mich.)
Record: 3-0 |
Last week: 1
Results: Def. Shrine Catholic, 18-3; def. Catholic Central, 10-0 and 19-4.
Stats: The Eaglets belted eight home runs in their opener against Shrine with
Ike Irish and
Nolan Schubart each hitting two dingers.
Brock Porter struck out nine in four innings and combined with
Parker Brzustewicz for a no-hitter in the 10-0 win over Catholic Central.
Jake Dresselhouse and
Blake Grimmer each homered in the win. Irish hit three home runs, including a grand slam, while
Jack Crighton had a grand slam and
Jasen Oliver hit a home run in the 19-4 win.
Next: Tues. vs. Oxford; Wed. vs. Detroit Jesuit (DH), Sat. vs. University Liggett (DH).
2. Buford (Ga.)
Record: 20-0 |
Last week: 2
Results: Def. Central Gwinnett, 15-0 and 13-0.
Stats: Parker Walsh and
Ashton Kehren each homered in the 15-0 win while
Brant Baughcum had a pair of doubles and
Dylan Lesko struck out 10 in four innings in the 13-0 win.
Next: Wed. vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).
3. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Record: 18-0 |
Last week: 3
Results: Def. Valencia, 9-2.
Stats: Jaden Noot struck out four to earn the win and also went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI against Valencia.
Next: Tues. vs. Crescenta Valley (La Crescenta).
4. Tompkins (Katy, Texas)
Record: 19-0 |
Last week: 5
Results: Def. Mayde Creek (Houston), 17-3; def. Cinco Ranch, 4-2.
Stats: Adam Benavidez and
Jack Little each had a double and a triple against Mayde Creek. They both doubled in the win over Cinco Ranch.
Next: Tues. vs. Katy; Fri. vs. Katy Taylor.
5. Sumrall (Miss.)
Record: 18-0 |
Last week: 7
Results: def. Forrest County Agricultural, 8-0 and 12-0.
Stats: Cade Dedeaux went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in the 8-0 win.
Levi Odom struck out eight in the 12-0 victory.
Next: Tue./Fri. vs. Lawrence County
6. Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)
Record: 15-0 |
Last week: 9
Results: Def. Tampa Prep, 5-2; def. St. Ignatius, 9-0.
Stats: Anthony Castillo had a double and four RBI against Tampa Prep while
Cade Kurland,
Owen McElfatrick and
James Hankerson all homered against St. Ignatius.
Next: Tue. vs. Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate; Thur. vs. St. Petersburg Catholic.
7. Brother Rice (Chicago)
Record: 11-0 |
Last week: 10
Results: Def. DePaul Collegiate, 12-0; def. De La Salle, 15-5; def. Leo, 8-2; def. Fenwick, 15-5
Stats: Christian Holmes had two doubles among the Crusaders' nine extra base hits against DePaul.
Amir Gray had two doubles, and a home run against DLS.
Casey Giemzik struck out 11 against Leo.
Next: Tue. vs. Saint Ignatius, Wed. vs. Montini Catholic.
8. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 14-1 |
Last week: 11
Results: Def. Pelham, 11-0; def. Riverview Sarasota, 16-1.
Stats: Elijah Green had a double and a triple and
Chase Ingram had a double and a home run against Pelham.
Nathan Fink had two home runs and Green and
Brady Neal each had one against Riverview.
Next: Wed. vs. Sunshine State Elite Academy
9. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)
Record: 25-1 |
Last week: 12
Results: Def. Sulphur. 6-0; Southside (Youngsville), 5-3, 2-1.
Stats: Landon Victorian had 11 strikeouts against Southside in a 2-1 win.
Diego Corrales struck out 8 in the 5-3 victory.
Gavin Guidry had a complete game shutout against Sulphur.
Next: Tues./Thur. vs. Acadiana.
10. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Record: 19-1 |
Last week: 16
Results: Def. Spring Valley, 9-3; def. Liberty (Henderson), 8-5; def. Faith Lutheran, 14-8; def. Centennial (Las Vegas), 14-0.
Stats: Easton Shelton and
Justin Crawford homered against Spring Valley.
Aiden Pollock and Shelton each went yard against Faith Lutheran. Shelton added two more home runs against Centennial while
Maddox Riske also hit one out.
Next: Tues. vs. Arbor View.
11. Jenks (Okla.)
Record: 19-1 |
Last week: 18
Results: Def. Grant, 20-0, 15-0; def. Mannford, 9-0; def. Salina, 4-2; def. Milan (Tenn.), 1-0.
Stats: Jack James hit a home run and threw a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts against Grant.
Chandler Fowler went 3-for-3 and struck out 10 in the 15-0 win over Grant.
Rhylan Wright had a double and two triples against Mannford.
Next: Tue./Wed. vs. Sand Springs.
12. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)Record: 15-2 |
Last week: 20
Results: Def. St. John Bosco, 9-4, 5-0, 5-0.
Stats: Casey Borba had a double in the 9-4 win and
Chase Cummings had a triple in the second win.
Next: Wed. vs. Hanover (Mechanicsville, Va.).
13. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.)
Record: 12-2 |
Last week: 21
Results: Def. Westminster Christian (Miami), 12-0; def. Columbus (Miami), 8-1.
Stats: Roman Anthony had two home runs, two singles and six RBI against Westminster Christian. He added a home run against Columbus.
Next: Wed. vs. D.H. Conley (N.C.).
14. The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.)
Record: 14-1 |
Last week: 4
Results: Def. Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 10-2; lost to Bishop Moore (Orlando), 7-4; def. Lake Minneola, 8-0.
Stats: Ben Barrett hit two home runs against Trinity Catholic. He hit another in the loss to Bishop Moore.
Next: Wed. vs. Basic (Henderson, Nev.).
15. Allatoona (Acworth, Ga.)
Record: 20-1 |
Last week: 6
Results: Def. Sprayberry, 12-1; lost to Pope, 5-1.
Stats: Aidan Jolley had a double and a home run against Sprayberry.
Next: Wed. vs. Windermere; Thur. vs. Winter Park.
16. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
Record: 13-1 |
Last week: 8
Results: Def. St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 6-0; lost to Jesuit (Tampa), 5-4.
Stats: Ethan Phillips struck out 10 in the win over St. Ignatius.
Miles Curley had a home run in the loss to Jesuit.
Next: Tues. vs. Tampa Prep.
17. Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
Record: 20-1-1 |
Last week: 23
Results: Def. Signal Mountain, 16-0; def. Hixson, 13-0; tied Silverdale Academy, 3-3; def. Gordon Lee, 5-2.
Stats: Kurt Kizer had three doubles and five RBI against Hixson.
Next: Tue./Thu. vs. Gadsden City.
18. Providence (Charlotte, N.C.)
Record: 14-0 |
Last week: NR
Results: Def. Independence (Charlotte), 11-1; def. Rocky River, 15-0, 12-0.
Next: Wed./Fri. vs. Ardrey Kell (Charlotte)
19. St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park, Fla.)
Record: 10-1 |
Last week: 24
Results: Def. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville), 4-1.
Stats: Bradley Hodges struck out 12 in the win and also had a double at the plate.
Next: Wed. vs. Servite.
20. Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette, La.)
Record: 21-2 |
Last week: 13
Results: Lost to Notre Dame (Crowley), 7-3; def. Loreauville, 6-2.
Stats: Cale Comeaux had a triple against Loreauville.
Next: Tues./Thur. vs. St. Thomas More.
21. Reno (Nev.)
Record: 16-2 |
Last week: 14
Results: def. Galena, 5-1; def. Douglas (Minden), 11-3; lost to Douglas, 10-2.
Stats: Grayson Grinsell was 3-for-4 with a double and also struck out 12 against Galena.
Kaden Schuck homered in the win over Douglas.
Next: Thur. vs. Spanish Springs.
22. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 13-2 |
Last week: 15
Results: Def. Basha, 4-0; lost to Basha, 7-6; beat Chandler, 12-1.
Stats: Gavin Turley and
Zach Wadas both homered against Chandler.
Logan Saloman and
Ryan Kucherak both hit home runs in the loss to Basha. Saloman also threw a 3-hit shutout in the win over Basha.
Next: Wed. vs. Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Fla.).
23. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
Record: 11-1 |
Last week: 22
Results: Def. Homewood-Flossmor, 7-4; def. Bowling Green, 14-8; def. Lake Central (St. John, Ind.), 17-6; lost to Male (Louisville), 5-3.
Stats: Korbyn Dickerson had two triples and
Paul Osting had a home run against Lake Central.
Aidan Ecken and
Brady Willis both homered against Bowling Green.
Next: Tues. vs. Christian Academy of Louisville; Wed. vs. Jeffersonville.
24. Yucaipa (Calif.)
Record: 13-2 |
Last week: NR
Results: Def. Redlands, 8-0 and 5-2.
Stats: Chase Antillon had a double and a triple in the 8-0 win.
Jacob Reimer had a home run in the 5-2 win.
Next: Wed. vs. Regis Jesuit
25. North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.)
Record: 20-1 |
Last week: NR
Results: Def. Pikeville, 9-3; def. Buckeye Valley, 20-2.
Next: Tue./Thur. vs. Jefferson
