Another impressive showing from the Class 4A ranks. Another week with under ten combines losses as a group shows why Class 4A is one of the highest ships so far.
1.) Johnston (5-0)
The Dragons finished off an impressive 5-0 week after sweeping Urbandale, Valley and earning a comeback win against eighth-ranked Sioux City East. Johnston has had a balanced attack through the first half of the season, leading 4A in batting average and ERA. Jake Pemble and Pierce Anderson at the top of the rotation have been lights out, allowing only 4 ER in in 38 innings pitched. This will be the toughest week of the season for the Dragons as they face both #2 Waukee and #3 Dowling in double headers.
2.) Waukee (4-2)
Waukee split double headers with Valley and Dowling before earning two walk off victories over a solid Roosevelt club. A strong pitching staff has been a staple of the this program for years and the 2022 squad is no exception as the warriors rank third in class 4A in ERA. Waukee looks toward a challenging 7 game week with double headers against top-ranked Johnston, Valley, DM East and a solid 3A team in Lewis Central.
3.) Dowling Catholic (5-1)
The Maroons finished off a solid 5-1 week, their only loss coming to second ranked Waukee. Dowling has been putting up insane offensive numbers, having hit seven more home runs than any team in the state. Pair that with Blake Larson and Luke Sheridan at the top of the rotation and it’s easy to see why Dowling has been towards the top of our rankings since day one.
4.) Cedar Falls (4-2)
Cedar Falls has been consistent all year and this week was no different, picking up wins against a ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie and a very solid North Scott squad. They currently rest with the second most runs scored in Class 4A (158) and have put the rest of the 4A field on high notice. The Tigers schedule only gets tougher from here with double headers against Western Dubuque, Iowa City West and Wahlert Catholic coming up.
5.) Iowa City High (3-3)
The Little Hawks started off the week getting swept by IC Liberty but bounced back with solid wins against CR Washington and 3A Wahlert Catholic and Solon. Despite the sweep City High still is tied for the third-most wins in 4A. Seniors John Klosterman and Cade Obemueller will make this team a force in the postseason and should give them a great chance to be playing at the end of July.
6.) Urbandale (5-3)
Urbandale played a ridiculous eight games last week and came out at 5-3. Catcher Lukas Jellnor has been a welcome addition to J Hawks hitting .450 and allowing only seven stolen bases through 19 games. The schedule doesn’t get any easier this week with double headers against Dowling and Valley.
7.) Waukee Northwest (2-2)
The Wolves have been tough all season and this week they were an inch away from bumping up a few spots, dropping a one run game to Centennial and losing a close contest with third-ranked Dowling. Anthony Watts has been one of the most dominating pitchers in the state, going 4-0 with 45 K’s through 23 innings.
8.) Sioux City East (3-2)
The Black Raiders almost pulled off the biggest upset of the year Saturday night but the Johnston Dragons scored 2 in the 7th to win 9-8. East still had a solid week sweeping Council Bluffs Jefferson and picking up a win against a tough Heelan club. We will find out a lot about this team next week as they take on ranked Dowling and Waukee Northwest.
9.) Cedar Rapids Prairie (4-2)
Prairie first entered our rankings last week and did just enough to keep themselves there. The Prairie Hawks picked up wins against Cedar Falls, Linn Mar and swept Western Dubuque. A strong defense has anchored this team and they will need to pick up the offense this week with double headers against Wahlert Catholic and Pleasant Valley.
10.) Pleasant Valley (2-0)
The Spartans are back in this weeks rankings after winning the only two games they played, sweeping a struggling Muscatine squad. Junior Sam George will be a brutal draw for anyone in their district pairing, George is 3-0 with a sub 1 ERA striking out 32 in 21.2 IP.
Honorable Mention: Iowa City West, Norwalk, Des Moines Roosevelt, Ames