Serra wins WCAL Championship over SF 6-2

[Rmbr26]

Interesting as looked at NorCalPreps weekly Top 20 for NorCal and some shuffling of teams and a lot of teams that could go either up or down by several slots in the weekly NCP Top 20

As we know rankings polls are all subjective and opinions of the person choosing them. Nowhere is this more evident than in the sport of high school baseball where most polls/rankings are not even close to each other.

Glancing at MaxPreps rankings based upon the Freeman's rating system and strength of schedule system it is possibly one of the more accurate rankings & quite a contrast to NCP's Top 20. Looking at the Top 25 teams for as rated for CA by Max Preps the Top 7 NorCal teams would be:

1. DLS
2. Serra
3. Davis
4. Oak Ridge
5. St. Francis
6. Heritage
7. Elk Grove

Agree or possibly disagree? Which ranking do you feel is more accurate?

http://www.maxpreps.com/rankings/baseball/1/state/california.htm

 

[Rmbr26]

Almost forgot to add, but here are the "strength of schedule" ratings for the NorCal teams listed above ranked among the top 25 teams in CA.

1. DLS - 16.0 [Win/Loss Records 15-3]
2. Serra - 16.4 [17-5-1]
3. Davis - 13.0 [18-3]
4. Oak Ridge - 14.3 [16-4]
5. St. Francis - 16.3 [18-7]
6. Heritage - 13.1 [14-3]
7. Elk Grove - 15.7 [15-7]

 

[Quaffer]

Agree that strength of schedule ranking helps make these extremely subjective rankings a bit more legit. Based on the teams I've seen MaxPreps is probably a little more accurate, but as long as it's the same basic group of teams it's meaningless who is higher or lower. Only way to find out is put them on the field together, and even then unless you play at least 3 games all you really know is who has the most dominant #1 starter.

 

[colhenrylives]

How very true.

 

[Rmbr26]

Serra takes down St. Francis 6-2 yesterday to win the WCAL baseball championship and take 2 of 3 from the Lancer's over the season.
Serra & SF tied for the WCAL crown, however Serra comes out on top winning the post season tournament.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/zz/20160513/NEWS/160517386

MaxPreps newest NorCal rankings as of yesterday:
1. DLS 18-3 [SOS 15.2]
2. Serra 23-5-1 [15.3]
3. SF 22-7 [16.3]
4. Heritage 17-3 [12.7]
5. Oak Ridge 21-5 [13.0]
6. Elk Grove 19-8 [14.7]
7. Jesuit 20-7 [13.4]
8. Davis 20-7 [13.5]

In comparison NorCalPreps latest weekly NorCal rankings dropped both Serra and SF and have Heritage, Elk Grove, Jesuit, & Davis ranked ahead of both of them even though Serra has a better overall record and stronger strength of schedule and SF has the highest SOS of any of the top NCP's teams listed in the top 20. Could it be that NCP's gives a bit less credit to teams from the CCS/WCAL ? - SF as well has a better winning percentage and better SOS than those 4 teams ranked ahead of them.. Go figure...

 

[colhenrylives]

Check head-to-head. Davis beat Serra. Heritage beat SF twice. The two WCAL teams are 0-3 vs. the public schools in question. That has a big bearing on ratings. Tough to argue with it.

 

[Streak One]

Heritage and St. Francis split two games this year. Davis does own a win over Serra.

Rankings will get a shakeup with Serra's title this week and Heritage falling to Freedom (1-0) in league play.

 

[colhenrylives]

Oops.

 

[Rmbr26]

No argument with either Colhenry or Streaks comments, just goin' by overall records & "SOS" which is also hard to argue with. So many things to look at in baseball and not quite as "cut & dry" as in some football match-ups. Couple notes re: Heritage & Davis in regards to current standings & rankings.

Heritage won the first game vs St. Francis by 4-3 in extra innings [8].
St. Francis won the rematch 7-0 dealing Heritage their worst loss of the season.
Heritage as Streak just noted lost its last game to Freedom who has a current record of 10-12.

Davis is 1-4 in their last 5 games tho they did beat Serra early in the season.

 

[colhenrylives]

Another posting person noted elsewhere that, really, one game head-to-head doesn't settle the issue. Two out of three in baseball makes more sense due to the issue of pitching depth.

 

[Rmbr26]

I agree this is partially true, however when 2 teams line up both using their best pitcher the end result will be a good indicator of who the better team is [when using their ace]. The other consideration is overall team depth game to game in their pitching rotation. Serra so far has won 2 of 3 from SF so Serra would seem to have an edge. Heritage & SF spilt their 2 games with Heritage winnng the first game in extra innings 4-3 while SF won the rematch in a blow-out 7-0, so I would have to give the edge if any to SF. Davis being 1-4 in last 5 games is fading and possibly doesn't have the depth of the other good teams & its showing late in the season. How NCP's ranked Davis last week ahead of bot Serra & SF is somewhat of a mystery all things considered.