BASEBALL: Four Seasons Mechanical Top 10 for 4/26/18

#10.
MORGAN TWP. CHEROKEES
9-2

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LAST WEEK: #10

Despite losses to Boone Grove and Washington Twp., the Cherokees are just able to hang on to their spot in the rankings with wins over Kouts, KV, Victory Christian Academy and EC. However, another week with two double-digit losses and we may not be able to say the same things. Plenty of other teams are vying for this spot in the poll.

#9.
HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS
8-2

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LAST WEEK: #7

The record is still really good and the Wildcats are in good shape in the GSSC standings, but losses against KV and McCutcheon – in which they gave up double-digit runs in both – forces a two spot drop for HC. In all but two Hanover Central games this year, either the ‘Cats or their opponent has scored 10 or more runs – so you know when you see them play, you’ll see a team light up the scoreboard…we just don’t know who.

#8.
WHEELER BEARCATS
10-0

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LAST WEEK: NR

We’re not sleeping on the Bearcats anymore – this team is legit. So far in 2018, Wheeler has outscored  opponents by a combined 131 to 13. The schedule may not have been the most difficult so far, but that is still dominance you can’t ignore. We’ll see if Wheeler can make a big statement with their next five games – a stretch that includes Hanover Central, a pair of games against Griffith, Washington Twp. and Lowell.

#7.
VALPARAISO VIKINGS
7-4

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LAST WEEK: #5

Wins over LaPorte, Lake Central and Elkhart Memorial since the last Top 10 are quality, but being swept by Chesterton and blown out by LC in their other three games forced the Vikings to drop a couple of spots.  The Vikings have a tough stretch coming up with Andrean on Thursday, Griffith (who barely missed the Top 10) on Friday and back to back games against Crown Point next week.

#6. 
HIGHLAND TROJANS
7-2

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LAST WEEK: #6

In all but two of their wins this season, the Trojans have scored double-digit runs – and the two games they didn’t were back to back victories over Hobart, so we’re sure the boys in blue are still pretty pleased. The Highland bats are already hot and will only get hotter as the weather warms up – could the Trojans be a darkhorse in Sectional #1?

#5.
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
8-4

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LAST WEEK: #8

After dropping both of their games to Lake Central, it looked like the ‘Dogs were in a deep hole in the DAC race, but a sweep of Chesterton and a split with LaPorte puts Crown Town back in it, albeit a couple games back. This next week can make up the difference as the Bulldogs next three games (Michigan City and two with Valpo) are all DAC opponents.

#4. 

LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS
9-3

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LAST WEEK: #3

The LC offense is still clicking, scoring double digit runs in each of their last three wins, but consistency is becoming an issue. In the loss to Penn in game one of a double-header, the Indians got four runs in the first….and nothing else. Then a day after scoring 11 against Valpo, they put up only two runs in a loss. The series against LaPorte next week is not only huge in the DAC standings where several times are vying for the title, but in the rankings as well.

#3.
LAPORTE SLICERS
10-5

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LAST WEEK: #2

While not the best stretch for the Slicers, going 3-2, they only drop one spot in the rankings and are still just a game back in the loss column in the DAC standings. LaPorte can not only get themselves back into the #2 spot next week but could find themselves atop the conference with a big series against LC next Tuesday and Wednesday.

#2.
CHESTERTON TROJANS
8-3

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LAST WEEK: #4

Early in the season we wondered if Chesterton would have the bats to match and electric pitching staff. This past week may have put those doubts to rest as the Trojans plated 51 in four games. Granted, they played a fifth game and got shutout, but with that kind of firepower combined with their pitching – watch out for this team come tournament time.

#1.
ANDREAN 59ERS
13-1

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LAST WEEK: #1

Not only did the 59ers go 6-0 since the last Top 10 was released, they did it in style, outscoring opponents 75-12 (beating KV 28-2 and 19-0 helps that disparity). This team is still undefeated against fellow teams from the Hoosier State and we don’t see that changing any time soon.