Check out the Record's Top 10 SJ County baseball teams at Week 5

High school baseball in the 209 is home to some of the best teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section and five weeks into the 2023-24 season they've been backing it up.

The Record has ranked the Top 10 baseball teams hailing from the 209 based on our coverage, coaching interviews and team data entered into MaxPreps. Teams receiving first-place votes earn 10 points, second-place votes are worth nine points, third-place votes eight points, and so on.

This week’s rankings will feature teams from the following leagues: the Tri-City Athletic League, the Valley Oak League, the Trans-Valley League, the Central California Athletic Alliance, and the Western Athletic Conference.

1. St. Mary’s (6-2) 10 points

Next game: vs. Archbishop Mitty on March 26

The Rams are the highest-ranked San Joaquin County team this season earning a No. 2 ranking in the SJS. Their loaded roster has been the key to their success as every at-bat could end in a run. Leading them offensively are sophomore Dax Hardcastle and senior Brayden Wilson, who hold the top two batting averages for St. Mary’s.

Along with its explosive offense, St. Mary’s has one of the top pitcher lineups with senior Micheal Quedens and junior Tanner Grove leading the charge. Quedens, who has already committed to Michigan, holds a 2-0 record on the mound. Grove is their strike man leading all of the Rams pitchers with 18 Ks. The Rams have a few more non-league tests to go before TCAL play starts in April.

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2. Manteca (10-2-1) 9 points

Next game: vs. Oakdale on March 27

Manteca is currently ranked No. 11 in the SJS with only two losses and a tie this season. The Buffaloes had a solid non-league schedule picking up notable wins over Stagg, Weston Ranch, Pitman and Hughson. Their difference-maker this season has been San Diego State commit Rex Watson.

Watson has been a do-it-all player for the Buffaloes leading them offensively with a .535 batting average. Over 13 games, he has reeled in 24 runs, 23 hits, 16 RBIs and a team-high two home runs. Watson will look to carry this offensive success over to VOL play where Manteca will face No. 4 ranked Oakdale and No. 7 ranked Central Catholic.

3. Lodi (6-3) 8 points

Next game: vs. Inderkum on March 26

Lodi secures a top-25 SJS ranking with a 6-3 overall record earning them a No. 23 ranking. Over the Flames' nine games, they have picked up notable wins over Turlock, Downey, Pitman and Bear Creek. Their most recent victory was a 10-0 shutout over Cosumnes Oaks on March 25.

Leading them to that victory on the mound was senior Brent Godina who struck out seven batters and only allowed one hit all game. Godina is currently ranked first in the TCAL for total wins on the mound this season, three. With Godina leading them and a host of offensive weapons, the Flames are looking to make a run for the TCAL championship this season.

4. Tracy (7-4) 7 points

Next game: at Kimball on March 27

Tracy will close out non-league play on March 27 taking on crosstown rival Kimball after a solid preseason outing. The Bulldogs have only dropped games against Atwater, Bella Vista, Oakdale and Heritage this season. Leading them is senior Tony Romano, who is a clutch slugger for the Bulldogs.

He currently has a .387 batting average and an on-base percentage of 41%. Romano leads Tracy in hits, RBIs and stolen bases as a speedy base runner for his team. He will need to have a stellar TCAL season for the Bulldogs to avenge last year’s fourth-place finish.

5. East Union (8-3) 6 points

Next game: at Sierra on March 27

The Lancers are back to their victorious ways after their six-game winning streak was ended by Liberty on March 21. They picked up a 5-0 win over crosstown rival Sierra in their VOL opener on March 25. Leading them offensively past the Timberwolves were junior Blake Mount and sophomore Jackson Fay.

Mount finished the game with two RBIs, a hit and a run, while Fay led East Union with three runs. The Lancers have a host of big-time sluggers who will look to shine in a tough VOL conference this season.

6. Lincoln (5-4-2) 5 points

Next game: vs. Saint Francis on March 27

Lincoln has had its ups and downs to start the 2023-24 season only winning 55% of its games so far. The Trojans have dropped games against Vacaville, Central Catholic, Pittman and Gregori. They are hoping these tough losses will prime them for a competitive season in the TCAL.

Key players Lincoln will need to show out if they want to make another postseason run are seniors Diego Davis and Raymond Olivas. Davis is the Trojans' best slugger with a .412 batting average and 14 hits on the year. Olivas is their pitcher who is currently ranked second in the TCAL for batters struck out, 33.

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7. Sierra (7-3) 4 points

Next game: vs. East Union

The Timberwolves have been battle-tested during the preseason working their way to a 7-3 overall record. Some of their notable wins this season have come against Ripon Christian, Tokay, Atwater and Weston Ranch. Leading Sierra are senior infielders Angel Valdez and Druw Navarro.

Both sluggers are batting over .400 this year and have been clutch when the Timberwolves need a hit. Valdez leads his team in doubles, RBIs and hits. Navarro isn’t far behind him offensively and holds the team’s highest on-base percentage at close to 46%. The Timberwolves will need both athletes to come through clutch throughout VOL play this year.

8. Millennium (7-1) 3 points

Next game: at Turlock Christian on March 28

After a stellar start to the season, the Falcons hold one of the best records of any team in SJ County. Their only loss this season came against Mountain House on March 23 where they were blanked by the Mustangs for a 16-0 loss. Millennium will look to bounce back from that loss with some of its key upperclassmen.

Juniors Christian Jacobo and Landon Vatran are the Falcons’ go-to sluggers so far this season. Jacobo holds a .591 batting average and a team-high 13 hits and one home run. He holds the team’s highest on-base percentage as well. Vatran has a .429 batting average and leads the Falcons in RBIs with 13.

9. Ripon (7-3) 2 points

Next game: vs. Riverbank on March 28

As the reigning TVL champions, the Indians are looking to go back-to-back this season. So far they have picked up notable wins over Ripon Christian, Buhach Colony, Merced and Central Valley. Leading them to their preseason success is senior Dawson Downs.

Standing at 6-foot-4, Downs is a big-time slugger for Ripon holding a team-high .423 batting average. He has hit two home runs, six RBIs and 11 hits just 10 games into the season. Along with Downs, the Indians have a host of other offensive weapons that will play key roles in getting them back to the SJS Division 4 playoffs.

10. Mountain House (7-3) 1 point

Next game: at Los Banos on March 27

The Mustangs are currently on a five-game game winning streak picking up wins against Millennium, Los Banos, Modesto Christian, and twice against Johansen. After a brief postseason appearance last season, they are hoping to make a deeper run this go-round. Junior Jacob Johnson is looking to be the guy to help them in doing so.

He holds a team-high .516 batting average so far this season and leads Mountain House in almost every offensive stat. Johnson has reeled in 16 hits, 10 RBIs, four doubles and a triple. With an offensive weapon like Johnson, the Mustangs will look to aim for the top spot in the WAC.

On the bubble teams: Ripon Christian, Bear Creek and Tokay

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: Here are the Top 10 SJ County baseball teams at Week 5