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Check out the Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams at Week 8

Shannon Mia Belt, The Stockton Record
·7 min read

Just a few more three-game series remain for San Joaquin County high school baseball teams as the 2023-24 regular season is winding down.

Maintaining the top spot in the 209 for the fourth week in this week’s Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams rankings is St. Mary's, the No. 4 ranked team in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

While they are relishing at the top other teams in the area are trying to beef up their records so they can land a spot in the playoffs, set to start from May 7-8. With time ticking down, here is the Record’s Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams at the Week 8 point.

St. Mary's Brayden Wilson makes contact during varsity baseball game against Lodi at Kofu Park in Lodi on Apr. 3, 2024.
St. Mary's Brayden Wilson makes contact during varsity baseball game against Lodi at Kofu Park in Lodi on Apr. 3, 2024.

1. St. Mary’s (15-5) 40 points

Next game: at Tracy on April 19

The Rams are the frontrunners for the Tri-City Athletic League championship as they hold a 7-0 record in league play. St. Mary’s most recent series sweep came against West where it didn’t allow the Wolfpack to score a single run.

Leading the defensive charge in their April 12th matchup against West was senior Michael Quedens. The Michigan signee only pitched three innings and sat down nine batters in order. His stellar pitching would help the Rams beat West 10-0. They followed that game up with another 6-0 shutout over Tracy on April 15.

2. Manteca (17-3-1) 36 points

Next game: at Sierra on April 17

Manteca is getting closer to claiming the No. 1 ranking after some solid play in a tough Valley Oak League. Since last week’s rankings, the Buffaloes have picked up three wins, two over Kimball and one over Sierra. Their most recent victory on April 15 against the Timberwolves ended up going an extra inning.

Freshman Nate Slikker stepped up, leading Manteca on the mound and in the box. Offensively, he finished the game with two hits, a RBI, run and triple. On the mound, Slikker was just as efficient striking out four batters and only allowing three runs. The Buffaloes won the game 4-3.

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3. Tracy (12-7) 27 points

Next game: at St. Mary’s on April 17

The Bulldogs are back in the top three after bouncing back from its 2-1 series loss to Lincoln at the beginning of April. Since last week’s rankings, they have picked up a TCAL series win over Tokay putting them in third place in the league. Tracy’s most impressive win over the Tigers was a 9-0 shutout on April 10.

Leading the Bulldogs' relentless offense was junior Ryan Torres whose bat stayed hot all game long. Torres finished the night with two hits, two RBIs and a run giving Tokay’s pitcher senior Joey Galletti all kinds of problems.

East Union baserunner Blake Mount looks back to find the ball while in a run-down during a game between Weston Ranch and East Union High at Weston Ranch High School in Stockton, CA
East Union baserunner Blake Mount looks back to find the ball while in a run-down during a game between Weston Ranch and East Union High at Weston Ranch High School in Stockton, CA

4. East Union (12-8) 29 points

Next game: vs. Central Catholic on April 17

East Union has dropped a spot after VOL play has been whopping the Lancers this season. They are on a four-game losing streak searching for a way out while taking on the top teams in the SJS. In their most recent loss to Central Catholic on April 15, the Lancers kept the game close.

For two innings both squads held each other scoreless but the Raiders would not be denied in the third and fourth innings. Senior pitcher Zach Grabowski did all he could to keep the Raiders off base but he ended up allowing two runs and his team would lose 2-0.

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.

5. Lodi (11-8) 26 points

Next game: at West on April 17

After a bad start to TCAL play the Flames have bounced back and taken No. 5 in this week’s rankings. The Flames beat last week’s No. 3 Lincoln in a three-game series — they lost the first game 6-5 and since then kept their foot on the Trojans' necks the next two games.

Lodi won the final game on April 12 thanks to senior Brent Godina’s hot bat. He went 3-for-4 during his at-bats racking up three hits, a run and a double leading the Flames offense. They went on to win the close game 5-4, putting them in fifth place in the TCAL.

Lincoln's Brayden Abdon hits a double during a varsity baseball game against Tokay at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.
Lincoln's Brayden Abdon hits a double during a varsity baseball game against Tokay at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.

6. Lincoln (10-8-2) 23 points

Next game: at Tokay on April 17

Despite dropping a TCAL series against Lodi, the Trojans are still ranked second in league with a 4-3 record. Picking up a 2-0 win over Tokay following helped keep them at the top of a loaded league. Senior Diego Davis continues to be Lincoln’s go-to whenever they need hits leading them past the Tigers.

His two runs and a hit led the Trojans' offense while senior Raymond Olivas handled Tokay’s offense. The 6-foot-1 righty earned the W by allowing two hits and striking out 11 batters.

7. Ripon (13-5) 13 points

Next game: at Hughson on April 18

No Trans Valley League team has gotten the best of Ripon this season as it holds a 6-0 league record. The Indians are fresh off of a two-game series win over Livingston, taking game two 11-1 on April 11 on the backs of strong offense and shutdown pitching.

Senior Dawson Downs led their offense with a team-high four RBIs, two hits, two runs and a double. On the mound was senior Joseph Brizuela who let his defense do the work and minimized Livingston’s batters.

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

8. Sierra (11-9) 13 points

Next game: vs. Manteca on April 17

The Timberwolves are still trying to work their way out of fifth place in the VOL but it’s going to take a lot with Manteca up next on their schedule. They lost game one of the three-game series losing in extra innings by just one run. Sierra will need to pull off an upset over the Buffaloes or second-place Oakdale to still make the playoffs.

Only the top four teams in the VOL qualify for the SJS playoffs and Sierra is just one game behind fourth place. Last season they made it to the SJS Division 3 first round.

Aaron Bayhon of Bear Creek baseball prepares to throw a pitch during one of the Bruins baseball games during the 2023-24 season.
Aaron Bayhon of Bear Creek baseball prepares to throw a pitch during one of the Bruins baseball games during the 2023-24 season.

9. Bear Creek (9-9) 2 points

Next game: at Franklin on April 18

Making their first appearance in the Record’s Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams rankings are the Bruins after working their way to the top of the San Joaquin Athletic Association. They hold a 7-1 league record with their only loss coming against Weston Ranch on March 28. Leading Bear Creek this season are upperclassmen Aaron Bayhon and Jaxson Bayani who have played crucial roles in its offense and defense.

Bayhon has been the man on the mound for the Bruins. He is currently ranked second in the nation in no-hitters with two. Offensively, Bayani leads them with a .414 batting average and a team-high 14 runs. The junior also leads Bear Creek in RBIs, slugging percentage and doubles.

Tokay's Brett Graddy celebrates hitting a double during a varsity baseball game at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.
Tokay's Brett Graddy celebrates hitting a double during a varsity baseball game at Lincoln in Stockton on Wednesday, Apr.19, 2023.

10. Tokay (9-11) 3 points

Next game: vs. Lincoln on April 17

With the TCAL so loaded, Tokay is clinging to fourth place. Since last week’s rankings, the Tigers haven’t won a game dropping two games in a row. Their most recent loss came against Lincoln on April 15 losing 2-0.

The Tigers will need to avoid shutouts in their next two series against Lodi and first-place St. Mary’s. Junior Brock Sell will look to be the driving force for them as he has been this season.

On the bubble teams: Weston Ranch, Ripon Christian, and Escalon

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 Top 10 SJ County prep baseball teams at Week 8