1.) Johnston (23-1)
The Dragons were flawless this week with sweeps of previous #2 Waukee and #3 Dowling in convincing fashion. Johnston now leads 4A in Avg, RBI, and ERA while posting an impressive +162 run differential through 24 games. Miles Risley has looked like an elite team all stater of late, batting .438 with 12 2B’s, 2 3B’s and 2 HR. Senior Jake Pemble continues to anchor a pitching staff with a ridiculous 1.47 ERA while striking out 210 batters in 157 innings
2.) Iowa City High 20-6
IC High swept both Lin Mar and Dubuque Senior to push their record to 20-6. A balanced attack has been key for the little hawks, they rank 2nd in avg and 4th in ERA. Cade Obermueller has proven to be one of the best dual threats in the state hitting .458 while posting a 3-1 record on the mound striking out 49 in 25.2 innings pitched.
3.) Dowling 18-7
Dowling bounced back after dropping two games to Johnston by winning 3 games in one day against quality opponents Saturday. Despite the 3 losses last week the Maroons still have the most powerful offense in the state, blasting 10 more homeruns than any other team. All stater Blake Larson has missed a couple starts and hopefully will be back in the rotation soon. A fully healthy pitching staff paired with the powerful offense will make this team a threat deep into the post season.
4.) Prairie 19-6
Prairie had one of the most impressive weeks on the whole season so far going 6-0 with sweeps of Wahlert, Pleasant Valley and CR Jefferson. The Prairie Hawks have now won 9 of ten and bump up 5 spots in the rankings. Cal Sullivan leads a potent offense with 13 doubles and a .390 average while senior Andrew Robinson has been of the best arms in 4A putting up a .78 ERA through 27 IP.
5.) Cedar Falls 17-6
Cedar Falls starting off the week in tough way, getting swept by Western Dubuque but came back strong winning their next three. The Tigers lead all of 4A in runs scored and will need to continue that production this week as they head into 6 game including DH’s with Wahlert and Lin Mar.
6.) Waukee 18-7
Waukee had a brutal schedule last week playing 8 games, including a DH at #1 Johnston. The Warriors finished 4-4 including 2 solid wins against South East Polk. The pitching staff continues to roll, second only to Johnston in ERA. The schedule doesn’t get any easier with double headers against Urbandale, Valley and single games with Pleasant Valley and Gilbert this week.
7.) Urbandale 17-8
The J-Hawks earned quality splits with Dowling and Valley last week before dropping a game to a struggling Ottumwa squad. This week will be a test with double headers against both Waukee and Johnston.
8.) Waukee Northwest 16-9
The Wolves completed a tough 8 game week with 2 wins Saturday over previously ranked SC East and Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln. Anthony Watts has lived up to his pre season all state status, currently sitting at 5-0 striking out 62 in just 32 innings pitched. Look for Northwest to have a strong week as they play just 4 games.
9.) Hempstead 15-6
Hempstead is one of the hottest teams in the state, winning their last 11 games to earn their way back into the rankings. The offense has heated up during this streak and is now 3rd in class 4A in both homeruns and average. The Mustangs will be tested this week with some of the top team in 3A as they have double headers with both Western Dubuque and Xavier.
10.) Pleasant Valley 13-6
Pleasant Valley has bounced in and out of the rankings the last few weeks and did just enough to stay at number ten this week. Drew Micek continues to be one of the best players in the state, hitting .463 with 9 2B’s. If the Spartans want to make another run in the post season the pitching and defense will have to improve, they current rank 33rd in ERA and 37th in defense.