BASEBALL: Four Seasons Mechanical Top 10 for 5/10/18

T-#10.
GRIFFITH PANTHERS
14-6

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LAST WEEK: T-#10

The Panthers stay at #10 this week after sweeping the season series over conference foe River Forest, but also after being shut out by former NCC rival Highland 8-0. While Griffith has both Morton and Munster on Saturday (the game with the ‘Stangs taking place under the lights, which you’ll be able to watch on Chevy Dealers Game Night), we can understand if their attention is on the series with Hanover Central next week as both teams have just one GSSC loss.

T-#10.
HANOVER CENTRAL WILDCATS
15-4

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LAST WEEK: T-#10

We almost moved Hanover Central up a spot after two big wins against Lake Station and a loss in extra innings to Hobart, but with the series coming up against Griffith next week for the GSSC title, we thought it’d be more fun to keep them deadlocked with the Panthers at #10. Not only do they have that big series with Griffith, they also have showdowns against LC and Munster remaining. This team will be battle tested come sectional time, that’s for sure.

#9.
WHEELER BEARCATS
14-3

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LAST WEEK: #7

So far it’s been the Panthers and the Wildcats in the poll, and the feline fiesta will now continue with the Bearcats, as Wheeler falls one spot to #8. Big wins over Calumet are one thing, but the loss to unranked Lowell is what caused the minor slip. With a relatively favorable schedule the rest of the way (aside from the season finale at Hobart), don’t be surprised if Wheeler moves back up before sectionals.

#8.
PORTAGE INDIANS
11-6

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LAST WEEK: NR

After dropping five of their first six games, it’d be fair to say a lot of people wrote the Indians off. Since then, the Tribe has been on a roll, winning 10 of their last 11 thanks to a dominating pitching staff. Portage will get their biggest test in awhile when they take on Crown Point next week, a team that’s also surging.

#7.
LAPORTE SLICERS
14-8

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LAST WEEK: #6

It’s time for the Slicers to find some consistency or else their tournament run could be short lived. LaPorte hasn’t won more than two games in a row since the very early part of April. Thankfully for the orange & black, there are no remaining ranked teams on their schedule, so they have a chance to build up a head of steam entering the post-season.

#6.

HOBART BRICKIES
15-6

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LAST WEEK: #8

From out of the rankings two weeks ago up to #6, the Brickies are absolutely on fire picking up wins over Hanover Central and sweeping KV this past week. They aren’t the highest ranked team that will play in Sectional #2, but as well they’re playing, don’t be surprised if the Brickies are a post-season dark horse.

#5.
HIGHLAND TROJANS
14-5

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LAST WEEK: #5

It doesn’t happen often that a team can go 1-3 over the course of a week and not lose and ground in the Top 10, but when those losses came to the two teams at the very top of the poll, Highland gets the benefit of the doubt for at least one more week.

#4.

CHESTERTON TROJANS
11-5

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LAST WEEK: #3

The series split with LaPorte this past week not only dropped the Trojans a spot in the rankings, but it put them a game behind Lake Central in the DAC standings. With the two squaring off next week in a Tuesday-Wednesday series, the Trojans are going to have to take both games to capture the conference crown – should be a fun one.

#3.
CROWN POINT BULLDOGS
12-6

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LAST WEEK: #4

Not only have the Bulldogs won five of their last seven, the offense has found its’ rhythm, scoring four or more runs in each of those games, including the losses. Last Saturday’s win over Andrean proves that the ‘Dogs belong up here with the elite of the Region, but they’ll be tested for this spot several times before the regular season ends, with games against Hobart, Highland and two with surging Portage on the schedule.

#2.
ANDREAN 59ERS
19-4

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LAST WEEK: #1

We have a change at the top as the Niners have gone just 4-3 over the course of their last six games. Granted they’ve faced some very good competition over that span, but they aren’t playing as good as they were a few weeks ago. Still it’s not all bad news for Andrean, who clinched another NCC crown and are now the #1 ranked 3A team in the state.

#1.
LAKE CENTRAL INDIANS
17-3

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LAST WEEK: #2

Winners of eight in a row, the Indians are clicking at the right time of the season. The pitching has been absolutely dominant as during this eight game winning streak, the staff has given up a total of nine runs…not too shabby. LC can clinch the DAC title with just one win against Chesterton next week.