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Nationally-ranked Providence (Jacksonville) and Bolles (Jacksonville) tied for first in regional all-classification rankings
GAINESVILLE – Duval County is once again dominating the area in high school baseball.
Along with two nationally-ranked teams sharing the top spot of The Prep Zone Power Poll, three other Jacksonville schools are ranked in the top 10.
Providence (Jacksonville), which is ranked third in Class 4A behind a couple of other nationally-ranked teams, is now sharing the top spot with Bolles (Jacksonville). The Stallions (16-2) went 1-1 last week, which included a 5-1 loss to defending Tennessee state champion Brentwood.
They dropped to No. 21 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Writer’s Poll, nine spots behind Bolles, which moved up one spot to No. 1 in this week’s regional all-classification rankings. The defending 5A state champion Bulldogs (14-2) won the IMG Academy Spring Tournament.
The ‘Dogs and Stallions each shared the six first-place votes.
Class 4A Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) moved up two spots from fifth to third. The Conquerors (10-3) went 2-0 which included a 6-2 win against West Jordan (UT) at the Bishop Gorman Tournament in Las Vegas.
Creekside (St. Johns) & and Forest (Ocala) are tied for fourth.
The Knights (11-3) are ranked 4th in ThePrepZone.com state baseball poll’s Class 7A rankings, while the Wildcats (13-2) are 4th in Class 8A.
Jacksonville schools Bishop Kenny and Mandarin are tied for sixth, while Buchholz (Gainesville), Ridgeview (Orange Park), and New Smyrna Beach round out the top 10.
Ridgeview made the biggest jump following an 11-1 win against previous #12 Ponte Vedra. The Panthers (12-3), who are ranked 9th in 6A and have won 10 in a row, climbed 11 spots from No. 20 to ninth.
There are two newcomers to the top 20.
Springstead (Spring Hill) went 2-0 and knocked off previous No. 11 Dunnellon, 11-1. The Eagles (12-4) are honorable mention in the 6A state rankings.
Class 5A Baker County (Glen St. Mary), which went 2-0 with wins against Cook (GA), 10-5, and Santa Fe (Alachua), 8-7, is in the top 20 for the first time at No. 20. The Wildcats (12-4) are ranked 7th in 5A.
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 – 2018 BASEBALL POLL #3
(School, followed by classification, first place votes, record through 4/4, and total voting points)
1T. Providence (Jacksonville) (4A) (3) (16-2) – 117
1T. Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (3) (14-2) – 117
3. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-3) – 107
4T. Forest (Ocala) (8A) (13-2) – 93
4T. Creekside (St. Johns) (7A) (11-3) – 93
6T. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (12-4) – 88
6T. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (9A) (11-4) – 88
8. Buchholz (Gainesville) (8A) (12-5) – 81
9. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (12-3) – 56
10. New Smyrna Beach (7A) (13-5) – 52
11. Fernandina Beach (5A) (11-4) – 51
12. University Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (12-7) – 47
13. Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) (5A) (13-2) – 42
14. Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) (7A) (14-3) – 30
15T. Dunnellon (6A) (11-3) – 29
15T. Terry Parker (Jacksonville) (6A) (11-2) – 29
17. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (4A) (7-4) – 27
18. Ponte Vedra (6A) (11-5) – 24
19. Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (12-4) – 23
20. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (12-4) – 15
Also receiving votes: Stanton (Jacksonville) (6A) (12-4) – 14; Clay (Green Cove Springs) (6A) (11-5) – 12; Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (9A) (11-5) – 10; Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (9A) (8-5) – 8; Nease (Ponte Vedra) (7A) (8-6) – 4; St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) (3A) (10-6) – 2; Williston (1A) (10-3) – 1.
