It was another impressive week in the Class 3A field with yet more shakeups in the top-10 rankings. Overall, top ten teams combined for a 29-9 record while outscoring opponents by a 260-117 margin. Even with the record, that does mark the smallest scoring margin that the Class 3A field has had so far this season. For yet another week, the 3A ranks hold a new number one but overall, it’s a lot of familiar names back in the top ten.

1.) Xavier (4-0)

The Saints have continued to rise and pick up big wins along the way which, for week four, included a double-header sweep over Iowa City West. Overall, Xavier baseball has been an exceptional brand of baseball as they rest as the only top-ten ten to rank top-five in Class 3A in both team RBI (138) and team ERA (2.06). Their rise continues to be noticed and for that, they now rest as the top team that Class 3A has to offer.

2.) Grinnell (5-1)

Another week done and yet another strong week for the Grinnell Tigers. Across week four, that did included five quality victories. It also did include their first loss of the season yet the Tigers still sit as the only team in Class 3A with just one loss. It came against Class 4A’s Indianola but was immediately followed up by a victory over the Indians, something that was preceded by a win over Norwalk (Class 4A) and a sweep over Pella.

3.) Assumption (2-0)

Not a ton of action for the Knights but from what they did do, it came out on a victorious note. Assumption captured a 2-0 mark across week four. They still reside top five in 3A with their 110 singles and ultimately, have been pretty consistent, sporting a +5.0 run differential. Part of that may have to do with the fact that the Knights rank third in Class 3A in fewest strikeouts with 63.

4.) Wahlert Catholic (1-2)

It was the roughest week of the season so far for the Golden Eagles. They went 1-2 on the week and were outscored 10-17 which included their second largest loss of the season. With that said, this is still a very potent offense courtesy of their class leading 10 home runs and triples (8). It may have been a little rough through week four but there’s no mistaking that, averaging over seven runs a game, the Golden Eagles are here to stay.

5.) Clear Creek Amana (4-0)

Clear Creek Amana continues to rise and rightfully so with an unblemished mark through week four. That included outscoring opponents 36-7 and included sweeps over a strong Benton squad and Williamsburg. Their .354 average ranks second among Class 3A teams while ranking fifth in runs scored (147). They also etched themselves as the second best team in the class in terms of on base percentage at .486. They’ve been one of the more dynamic offenses slugging at .529 and yet with that, they’ve been one of the more patient squads, striking out a class-fewest 50 team strikeouts.

6.) Western Dubuque (2-2)

This was the first week that the Bobcats were outscored by their opponents in a 2-2 record for week four. They started the week off rough with two of their three losses on the season, getting swept by Cedar Rapids Prairie, a top-10 ranked 4A squad. They did rebound nicely as they swept another 4A squad in Iowa City Liberty, outscoring the Bolts 13-7. Still hard to argue with a team that ranks number one in seven different statistical categories. That includes ranking as the top hitting team in the class with a .359 average and 145 RBI. That has combined to give the Bobcats 170 total runs, ranking third most in 3A. They too have put themselves up as the top hitting team with a class best 187 hits, 42 doubles, 134 singles, and 257 total bases. Definitely a team vying for top offense in the class.

7.) Independence (4-0)

The Mustangs bounced back in week four with an unblemished record while outscoring opponents 30-7. More impressive victories on the week but none more so than the 1-0 shutout they posted up against former top-ranked Wahlert Catholic. They also took it to Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a 3-1 victory. They still rest as the top fielding team in the Class 3A land (.958) while also showcasing their strength in power with seven triples among other aspects.

8.) Lewis Central (3-0)

The Titans have really come out and have continued to do well. They did not allow a single run across week fours action, meanwhile scoring 31 runs of their own. The name of the game is to get on base in order to cross home plate, and for Lewis Central, they’ve done it better than anyone else, sporing an on-base mark of .524. They’ve routinely been in the top five in run differential and with a +109, that puts them amid the top five of all Class 3A teams. They’ve had strong pitching but their patience at the plate has outshined, as exampled by just 60 strikeouts through four weeks of the season.

9.) Marion (0-2)

Not a ton of action for the reigning Class 3A champs but what they did go up against didn’t end up in their favor. The Wolves went just two games worth of action but lost to a surging Benton squad, their second double-header loss of the season. The thing to be said for Marion is that they lost out by just one run in both contests. The team still rests third in Class 3A in overall batting average at .337 and continues to show why they are a dangerous team with just 65 strikeouts. They’ve suffered some injuries but make no mistake, the defending champs still have a lot of bite, heading into week five.

10.) Gilbert (5-0)

The Tigers of Gilbert make their season debut on the top ten list after a solid 5-0 mark to wrap up week four. Gilbert has slowly continued to rise since the start of the season and with wins over Knoxville, Winterset, DCG and Des Moines Christian, the vaulted themselves to number ten. The Tigers have been plugging away as a team, averaging 5.5 runs per game while allowing just under 4.5 runs per game defensively.

Honorable Mention:

➡️Bishop Heelan

➡️Storm Lake

➡️MOC-Floyd Valley

➡️ Center Point Urbana

➡️ Sergeant-Bluff Luton