Advertisement

Nashville area baseball rankings: Meet the new No. 1 large class team entering Spring Fling

Here’s a look at the top 10 Nashville area large and small class high school baseball teams, as ranked by The Tennessean entering Spring Fling state tournaments.

The small class poll includes teams in Classes 1A-2A and Division II-A, and the large class poll includes teams in Classes 3A-4A and Division II-AA.

Large Class

1. Hendersonville (29-9): Lake Morris pitched a complete game, allowing one hit and striking out 13 to beat Ravenwood to propel the Commandos to their first state tournament appearance since 2015. Last week: No. 3.

2. Lipscomb Academy (26-11): Miller Green drove in three runs in a 7-5 win over MBA and Andrew Davidson's five RBIs in the next game propelled the Mustangs to the Division II-AA semifinals. Last week: No. 5.

3. CPA (25-9-1): The Lions' season came to an end with two losses to McCallie in the Division II-AA quarterfinals. Last week: No. 1.

4. Riverdale (24-15): The Warriors remained unbeaten in the postseason, beating Stewarts Creek 3-1 for the Region 4-4A title and Walker Valley 4-2 in a sectional. Last week: Not ranked.

SPRING FLING PAIRINGS: TSSAA Division II state quarterfinal pairings for baseball, softball, soccer

SPRING FLING BASEBALL: TSSAA baseball state tournament 2022 schedule for Spring Fling

5. Stewarts Creek (28-7): A seven-run second inning was more than enough to propel the Red Hawks past Bradley Central 8-5 and back into the state tournament for the first time since 2018. Last week: No. 8.

6. MBA (21-12): The Big Red wasn't able to repeat the success it had against Lipscomb Academy during the regular season, losing on back-to-back days. Last week: No. 2.

7. Tullahoma (26-13): The Wildcats are back in the state tournament for the first time since 2013 following wins over Cumberland County, Upperman and South-Doyle. Last week: Not ranked.

8. Upperman (27-9): The Bees rebounded from a 10-run loss to Tullahoma in the Region 4-3A championship by beating Lenoir City 6-3 to make to the Class 3A state tournament. Last week: No. 10.

9. Centennial (19-14): Following wins over Summit, Ravenwood and Mt. Juliet, the Cougars advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 2013 and second time ever. Last week: Not ranked.

10. Mt. Juliet (28-11-1): Austin Hunley struck out 14 in a 2-1 win over Beech on Monday night, but the Golden Bears didn't muster enough offense in close losses to Hendersonville and Centennial. Last week: No. 4.

Small Class

1. Grace Christian (36-5): The Lions cruised in a two-game series against FACS, winning by a total of 29-4 to advance to the Division II-A semifinals. Last week: No. 1.

2. Goodpasture (38-4): After splitting two games against ECS, Tanner Lane pitched a shutout with 10 strikeouts and also drove in four runs to lead the Cougars to the Division II-A final four. Last week: No. 2.

3. Eagleville (33-2): Blowout wins over Culleoka, Moore County and Bruceton extended the Eagles' win streak to 18 games. Last week: No. 3.

4. Watertown (25-9): The Purple Tigers are back in the state tournament for the second consecutive season and second time ever with dominant wins over Sequatchie County, York Institute and Community. Last week: No. 5.

5. Loretto (23-10): Clint Seymour drove in six runs to lead the Mustangs in wins over Fairview, White House-Heritage and Westview. Last week: No. 6.

6. Forrest (25-9): Down eight in the bottom of the seven inning, the Rockets rallied with to tie the game before hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth to beat York Institute 10-9 and advance to the state tournament. Last week: No. 7.

7. Clarksville Academy (29-11): The Cougars had no answers for Northpoint Christian, getting swept 22-4 over two games. Last week: No. 4.

8. White House Heritage (19-10): A 14-hit performance propelled the Patriots past Milan 8-2 and to their first state tournament appearance. Last week: No. 8.

9. Gordonsville (24-12): Following an 8-3 loss to Gordonsville in the Region 4-1A championship, the Tigers beat Sale Creek 11-9 behind three RBIs each from Brant Turner and Tristan Wood. Last week: No. 9.

10. Giles County (19-11): The Bobcats scored five runs in the top of the seventh to tie White House-Heritage but lost on a walk-off sacrifice fly. Last week: No. 10.

Reach Joe Spears at jspears2@gannett.com or 731-343-4923. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joe_spears7.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA baseball: Nashville area high school rankings entering Spring Fling