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Check out the Record's Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams at Week 7

shannon mia belt, the stockton record
·8 min read

The top spot for high school baseball teams in the 209 is still in St. Mary’s grips as other area teams continue vying for the top.

As league play continues, teams across San Joaquin County have been playing their best baseball looking to bounce the Rams from their No. 1 ranking. Some of Valley Oak League’s finest, Manteca and East Union are two teams making a case as they currently hold a better overall record than St. Marys so far.

The Rams’ strength of schedule keeps them at the top spot; however, there’s been movement elsewhere in the Record’s Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams at the Week 7 point of the 2023-24 season.

St. Mary's Nico Bavaro delivers a pitch during a varsity baseball game against Lodi at Kofu Park in Lodi on Apr. 3, 2024.
St. Mary's Nico Bavaro delivers a pitch during a varsity baseball game against Lodi at Kofu Park in Lodi on Apr. 3, 2024.

1. St. Mary’s (11-5) 30 points

Next game: at West on April 12

Since last week’s rankings, the Rams have picked up three wins and only dropped one game. Their three wins notched their first Tri-City Athletic League series win sweeping Lodi. St. Mary’s lone loss was to a tough Serra squad losing the game 10-1 to the Padres. With its offense as fiery as it is, it didn’t take long for the Rams to bounce back from the non-league loss.

Against West on April 8, they handed the Wolfpack an 18-0 victory snatching game one of the three-game series. Michigan commit Michael Quedens led the team offensively finishing the game with three hits, three runs, three RBIs and two doubles. Their depth offensively keeps them in the top rankings and the TCAL.

2. Manteca (14-3-1) 27 points

Next game: at Kimball on April 12

The Valley Oak League continues to be a foot race but luckily for Manteca, it's in first place. The Buffaloes hold a 4-2 league record only dropping games against Oakdale and East Union. Their three-game series against the Mustangs helped them earn their first VOL series win taking it 2-1. After dropping the first game 6-4, the Buffaloes wouldn’t let the losing continue.

They took the next game 4-2 and the third game 6-3. That success carried over into their matchup against East Union on April 1. Junior Jace Quitasol was the offensive catalyst leading Manteca with three RBIs and a run. The Buffaloes would go on to win the game 5-2 and will now take on Kimball for their next league series.

East Union’s Ryan Guibor is surrounded by teammates after hitting an inside-the-park home run during a game between Weston Ranch and East Union High at Weston Ranch High School in Stockton, CA
East Union’s Ryan Guibor is surrounded by teammates after hitting an inside-the-park home run during a game between Weston Ranch and East Union High at Weston Ranch High School in Stockton, CA

3. East Union (12-5) 22 points

Next game: vs. Oakdale on April 12

The Lancers' biggest win since last week’s rankings was over a familiar rival and No. 6 Sac Joaquin Section-ranked Manteca. After they dropped the first meeting against the Buffaloes, it was like a complete 180 in their second meeting. The key to their turnaround was junior pitcher Blake Mount.

The 6-foot slinger wasn’t a strike-out machine but put the ball in play and let his defense do the rest. He finished the game with two strikeouts, allowed five hits, and only allowed Manteca one run all game. East Union took the game 10-1 pulling off a big upset over one of the top teams in the section.

Lincoln's Diego Davis slides safely at second as Tokay's Ryan Oliveri waits for the throw during a varsity baseball game at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.
Lincoln's Diego Davis slides safely at second as Tokay's Ryan Oliveri waits for the throw during a varsity baseball game at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.

4. Lincoln (9-6-2) 17 points

Next game: vs. Lodi on April 12

It hasn’t been pretty but the Trojans have fought for their 9-6-2 overall record and 3-1 TCAL record. They are currently ranked second behind St. Mary’s in league after taking a 2-1 series over Tracy. With those victories, Lincoln earns its highest Record’s ranking at No. 4 jumping two spots from last week.

The Trojans’ April 6 game against the Bulldogs was neck and neck for the first two innings with both teams going scoreless. Senior Diego Davis and a host of other hot bats for Lincoln changed the game helping them go on to win 4-0. Davis ended the game with a home run, three RBIs, two hits and a run.

Tracy's Daniel Behrmann, left, runs a double play as Lincoln's Louis Montes is out a second during a varsity baseball game at Lincoln High School in Stockton. CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD
Tracy's Daniel Behrmann, left, runs a double play as Lincoln's Louis Montes is out a second during a varsity baseball game at Lincoln High School in Stockton. CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD

5. Tracy (10-6) 19 points

Next game: at Tokay on April 12

Despite dropping its first TCAL series to Lincoln, Tracy remains a top-five team in the area holding a 10-6 overall record. The Bulldogs faced Tokay in their next league series and they are using these three games as a chance to bounce back. They took the first game against the Tigers on April 8 thanks to solid pitching from junior Jace Johnson.

Johnson has had an up-and-down season on the mound but shined against Tokay helping the Bulldogs win 9-3. He racked up eight Ks and only allowed one run earning his second W of the season. Johnson also finished with a 1.17 ERA and was backed up by a flurry of offense. Tracy will look to take game two on April 10.

Lodi's Santino,, left is forced out at second as St. Mary's Rolen Reyes attempts the double play during varsity baseball game at Kofu Park in Lodi on Apr. 3, 2024.
Lodi's Santino,, left is forced out at second as St. Mary's Rolen Reyes attempts the double play during varsity baseball game at Kofu Park in Lodi on Apr. 3, 2024.

6. Lodi (8-8) 20 points

Next game: at Lincoln on April 12

TCAL play has not been kind to Lodi so far as it finds itself in fifth place still searching for its first league win of the year. The Flames were swept by St. Mary’s to open up league play and their schedule isn't getting any easier with Lincoln on the horizon. They dropped game one of their three-game series to the Trojans 6-5.

Lodi entered the top of the sixth inning with a 4-2 lead over Lincoln and could smell the win. They added on another run after the sixth and just had one more inning to close things out but the Trojans had a different plan. They scored four runs in the seventh inning snatching the dub from Lodi. It will have a chance to get revenge and possibly its first league win in game two on April 10.

More: Here are the Top 10 SJ County high school baseball teams at Week 6

7. Ripon (12-5) 9 points

Next game: vs. Livingston on April 11

Ripon is climbing its way up in the rankings earning the No. 7 spot in this week’s rankings after going 3-1 since Week 6. The Indians have faced some familiar and unfamiliar foes competing in Trans Valley League play and the Atwater Tournament. Their most recent victory was against Livingston on April 9 notching its fifth TVL win in a row.

They won the game in a dominating fashion holding the Wolfpack to just one run to take the game 8-1. Ripon is currently ranked first and hasn’t lost a league game yet this season. Leading them so far is senior Dawson Downs who has gone deep for five home runs and holds a .514 batting average. He also has the team’s second-highest ERA behind Brady Hunt with a 0.88 ERA.

8. Sierra (9-7) 10 points

Next game: vs. Kimball on April 11

Sierra is currently ranked fifth in the VOL with a 2-4 record and a 9-7 overall record. Since last week's rankings, the Timberwolves have gone 1-1 taking down Kimball and suffering a tough loss against No. 14 ranked Central Catholic. The 11-0 victory over the Jaguars on April 3 earned them their first VOL two-game series win.

It was an all-around performance for Sierra as they dominated offensively and defensively against Kimball. Senior Troy Morrow led its offense with three hits, three runs, two stolen bases and a double, while defensively. pitcher Ryan McIntyre was the go-to. The junior picked up eight Ks and was just two hits away from a no-hitter. They will look to carry that over against thicker competition in league play.

More: Fireworks, promotions and more: Check out the Stockton Ports schedule for the 2024 season

Millennium's Zachary Reyes makes contact with the ball during a varsity baseball game at West High In Tracy.
Millennium's Zachary Reyes makes contact with the ball during a varsity baseball game at West High In Tracy.

9. Millennium (9-3) 9 points

Next game: vs. Stone Ridge Christian on April 11

The Falcons have dropped to No. 9 in this week’s rankings after going 1-1 since Week 6. Millennium’s loss came against Big Vallery Christian on April 2 as it would get stunned by the Lions. They banged in a whopping 10 runs at the top of the fourth inning putting the Falcons in too deep of a hole to dig out of.

Leading their comeback efforts were junior Max Delgadillo and senior Damien Muscat. Delgadillo finished the game with two RBIs, two runs and one double, while Muscat added two runs, two hits and a RBI. They would go on to lose the game 14-7 but bounced back in their next game beating Stoneridge Christian 12-0 on April 9.

Tokay's Brock Sell dives back to first on a pickoff attempt during a varsity baseball game against Tokay at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.
Tokay's Brock Sell dives back to first on a pickoff attempt during a varsity baseball game against Tokay at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.

10. Tokay (8-8) 2 points

Next game: vs. West on April 11

Like last week, the Tigers have won a game and lost a game since Week 6’s rankings, keeping them at No. 10. They lost to Placer on April 8 and beat Merced later that day during some midseason tournament play. Tokay’s win against the Bears was thanks to some late-game offense in the fifth inning to secure the 5-3 dub.

Leading its offense so far this season is do-it-all junior Brock Sell. The two-way player has a team-high .556 batting average and leads his team in just about every stat. He has 20 hits, 16 runs, 16 RBIs and a slugging percentage of 1.111. With Sell leading them, the Tigers are hoping to stay competitive in the TCAL.

On-the-bubble teams: Weston Ranch, Bear Creek, and Ripon Christian

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Check out the Record's Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams at Week 7