Despite a 40-16 record across the third week of action, there was plenty of shakeup that occurred within the Class 3A ranks. From Independence getting swept, Western Dubuque’s consistent rise, Grinnell’s perfection, all the way to Xavier’s dominance. We had several squads falter but overall a top ten that could actually look more like a top-15. Overall, top-10 squads across Class 3A outscored their competition 421-246. Now, lets dive into what the top-ten for Class 3A will look like for week four.
1.) Wahlert Catholic (4-1)
The lone blemish across the week three landscape for Dubuque Wahlert Catholic was a video game like score of 25-7 to Cedar Rapids Washington. Beyond that, the Golden Eagles outscored opponents 34-12. That included sweeping Dubuque Hempstead and taking down West Delaware. Overall, the Golden Eagles lead the class with 9 team home runs while also ranking fourth in 3A with 94 RBI. They rest as the only team within the 3A top-10 field to reside in the top five in both RBI and ERA. They also sit tops in the class with 114 total strikeouts. This week will be a real test for the Golden Eagles who will face Western Dubuque, Independence, Cedar Falls, and Iowa City High.
2.) Assumption (6-0)
The biggest jump out of any team within the top-10 came from the Knights of Assumption. It was a perfect week for the Knights, who outscored their opponents 51-16. Within that, the Knights brought home some impressive victories, defeating 4A’s Urbandale and 3A top-10 Xavier during the Catholic Classic. The Knights rank top-five in the class in both total hits (122) and singles (96).
3.) Xavier (6-1)
Another week of both volume and victory for the Saints of Xavier. Through seven games, Xavier outscored their opponents 74-26 including Class 1A’s top team in Newman Catholic. The Saints went 6-1 on the week and their only loss was to a fellow top-10 ranked squad in Assumption. They are arguably the best defensive team in 3A with 113 assists among other aspects. Those include 309 put outs (top in 3A) and 94 walks (leads 3A). They rest as the only Class 3A team to reside top-5 in triples, doubles, and singles.
4.) Grinnell (3-0)
Usually, being the last of something isn’t a great mark. But for the Grinnell Tigers, it sure is a good thing as they rest as the last team in Class 3A with an unblemished record at 13-0. Their 4-0 week three slate included victories over Pella Christian and DCG. Pitching has been the bread and butter of this team, as evident by the 0.71 team ERA, holding opposing bats to a mere .137 average (Lowest mark in the class).
5.) Marion ( 4-0)
Despite the upset suffered in week two, the Wolves of Marion came out and made it look like a thing of the past. Overall, Marion gave up just two runs through four games played, giving them a 10-2 record overall. One of the few teams to rest top-five in the class within a pitching and hitting statistic. For the Wolves, they do jus that by allowing teams to hit just .154 against them, meanwhile sit fourth overall with a .356 average. Overall, the drop for Marion truly has more to do with what other teams did than what they did.
6.) Western Dubuque (6-0)
As one of just four Class 3A teams to go undefeated on the week, Western Dubuque continues to rise. It’s impossible to ignore the fact that the Bobcats lead the class in batting average (.380) and RBI (128) and the fact that their RBI count rests 14 more than second place. The Bobcats outscored their week three opponents by a 61-21 mark. That included a double-header sweep of then second-ranked Independence. Overall, they rest top-five in 18 different statistical categories and have done so against the seventh-strongest strength of schedule in Class 3A.
7.) Clear Creek Amana (3-2)
On one hand, the Clippers of CCA did suffer both of their two losses in week three alone. On the other hand, they did manage to take a win from then second-ranked Independence and Class 4A’s North Scott. CCA still rests as arguably the top hitting team in the WaMaC with a .372 team average (2nd in Class 3A). In fact, as even with a 21-20 scoring mark in week three, they still know how to get on base better than most teams in the class, trailing only Lewis Central in on-base percentage.
8.) Independence (3-4)
It wasn’t the best week of the season for the Mustangs of Independence. Overall, they went 3-4 on the week and was one of just two top-ten teams to be outscored by their opponents. They still hold a positive 1.3 run differential overall and still sit as one of the stronger offensive and defensive teams in the class. They will look to get past their double-header loss to Western Dubuque and focus on a very tough week ahead that could really help boost their position going forward, taking on Wahlert Catholic, Marion, and CR Kennedy among others.
9.) Center Point-Urbana (2-1)
Overall, the lightest week of the season for Center Point-Urbana but with the body of work overall, the Stormin Pointers have found their way into the top-ten. Their inaugural appearance into the top-10 comes as they outscored opponents 23-5 across week three action.
10.) Lewis Central (5-0)
They’ve been just on the outside looking in but now, the Lewis Central Titans have arrived inside the top ten. They outscored opponents 60-16 as they didn’t suffer a single loss through week three action. That included big wins over Harlan and Council Bluffs Lincoln. Overall, the Titans rest as the top on-base team in the class sporting a .520 average. While on the base paths, they are making the most of it, leading Class 3A in stolen bases (75) which rank over ten more than the next team up. The Titans stuck around long enough and with their earlier wins (such as the 5-4 victory over Heelan) it was impossible to keep them out of the top ten.
Top-15: Heelan, MOC-FV, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Storm Lake, West Delaware