Despite loss, Providence (Jacksonville) still unanimous #1 in regional baseball poll
GAINESVILLE — Another week down in the high school baseball season for the teams in The Prep Zone Power Poll, and every team from last week’s top five lost last week.
Despite that fact, the team at the top of the poll remains the same.
Providence (Jacksonville) dropped a game last Saturday to a team ranked in the top 50 in the country according to Max Preps in Brookwood (Snellville, GA), but defeated then-#5 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) and Duval Charter (Jacksonville) to remain the top team in the poll this week.
The Stallions (15-3) received all eight first-place votes again this week and remain #1 in 4A and #5 overall in the all-classification rankings of ThePrepZone.com state rankings.
Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) dropped its first game of the season last week 4-1 at Ponte Vedra, but remain 2nd this week. The Crusaders (13-1) also picked up two district wins against Ribault (Jacksonville) last week. They are also ranked 2nd in the 5A state poll.
Oakleaf (Orange Park) moves up three spots to #3, replacing Sandalwood (Jacksonville), which dropped one slot to #4.
Oakleaf (13-2) had a 2-0 week with wins over First Coast (Jacksonville) and Fleming Island (Orange Park). The Knights are also ranked 2nd in the state poll for 8A.
Sandalwood (13-2) notched a win over #13 Fletcher (Neptune Beach) but lost 7-2 at #8 Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) a week ago. The Saints are currently 7th in the 9A state baseball poll.
Rounding out the top five is Bolles (Jacksonville), which was 4th in the last poll. The Bulldogs (11-4) also beat Fletcher 15-9 last week along with a win at First Coast, but also dropped a 4-3 decision on Saturday to Brookwood (GA). Bolles is currently ranked 3rd in the state for 5A.
Suwannee (Live Oak) moves up two places this week to start the second 10 at No. 6. The Bulldogs (13-2) garnered wins over Santa Fe (Alachua) and at Yulee and are also ranked 7th in the state poll for 5A.
Trinity Christian drops two spots to 7th this week after a busy week that included playing in the National High School Invitational in Cary, NC.
The Conquerors (11-7) went 2-2 in North Carolina with wins over South Hills (CA) and Hough (NC) and losses to American Heritage (Plantation) and Orange Lutheran (CA). The Conquerors also double-booked themselves as they had a big District 2-4A game at Providence during the tourney, but instead sent their JV team to play the Stallions and dropped that game 11-0.
Atlantic Coast moves up a slot to 8th after beating Sandalwood while losing to #14 Mandarin (Jacksonville) during a 2-1 week.
Creekside (St. Johns) is up two spots and into the top 10 at #9. The Knights (12-3) were 3-0 last week with two wins over rival Bartram Trail (St. Johns).
Remaining 10th is University Christian (Jacksonville). The Christians (11-5) were a perfect 3-0 last week and also are ranked 7th in the 3A state baseball poll.
The only team new to the poll is 1A Union County (Lake Butler), which is tied for 19th with 4A Trinity Catholic (Ocala).
Class 6A Terry Parker (Jacksonville) dropped out of the top 20.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters.
THE PREP ZONE POWER POLL – 2017 BASEBALL POLL #3
(School, followed by classification, first place votes, record thru 4/1, and total voting points)
1. Providence (Jacksonville) (4A) (8) (15-3) – 160
2. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (13-1) – 147
3. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (13-2) – 136
4. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (9A) (13-2) – 135
5. Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (11-4) – 129
6. Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (13-2) – 113
7. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (4A) (11-7) – 107
8. Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) (8A) (11-4) – 101
9. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (12-3) – 95
10. University Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (11-5) – 77
11. Belleview (6A) (14-1) – 71
12. Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (15-2) – 64
13. Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (8A) (12-4) – 63
14. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (9A) (10-5) – 57
15. Trenton (1A) (13-1) – 49
16. Seven Rivers Christian (Lecanto) (2A) (11-0-1) – 39
17. South Sumter (Bushnell) (5A) (12-0) – 36
18. Keystone Heights (5A) (12-2) – 28
T-19. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (4A) (11-3) – 14
T-19. Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (11-4) – 14
Also receiving votes: Gainesville (7A) (13-4) – 12; Ponte Vedra (6A) (10-4) – 11; Terry Parker (Jacksonville) (6A) (12-5) – 8; Stanton (Jacksonville) (6A) (12-3) – 7; Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (12-2) – 6; University (Orange City) (9A) (10-5) – 1.
