Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

WisSports.net is partnering with Prep Baseball Report this year to bring analysis and recruiting content to our readers. Be sure to read more high school baseball content for Prep Baseball Report at www.prepbaseballreport.com/wisconsin

Prep Baseball Report Power 25 - April 13

Inside The Top Five

So far its status quo in the top five and our preseason ranking have held true. Here’s a look at how they all faired so far.

As expected No. 1 Arrowhead (2-0) opened their season in impressive fashion. We previewed the Warhawaks as having one the most talented group of players in the state, especially on the mound, and they did not disappoint. Michigan commit Jack Bredeson tossed a perfect game, and Ryan Schmitt followed that up with a five inning shutout of his own as Arrowhead swept Waupun in a double header.

No. 2 Bay Port dropped a pair of games in their opening Florida trip to a couple of teams that are in mid-season form. The losses won’t hurt them much as far as we’re concerned as they opened up their Wisconsin slate with a 12-2 win over Manitowoc Lincoln.

Appleton North (2-0) remains at No. 3 with an opening double header sweep of Gladstone (MI).

Sun Prairie is off to a big start as well at 5-1. They remain at No. 4 after splitting a double header with Kimberly on Saturday, taking their only loss of the season.

After personally setting our eyes on No. 5 Denmark (5-0) over the weekend, it’s clear that their pitching is dominant and is the team to beat in D2. They went 3-0 over the weekend at the Woodside High School Challenge and rounds out the top five.  

New And Climbing

Kimberly split a DH with Sun Prairie on Saturday in a rematch of last year state title game, as well as beating last week’s No. 15 West De Pere, moving the Papermakers up to No. 6.

Hortonville moved in right behind the Papermakers at No. 7, up six spots. The Polar Bears are off to a 4-0 start with a win over previously ranked No. 25 De Pere.

Janesville Craig also saw their stock rise this week. Off to a 3-0 start including a win over Janesville Parker.

Verona Area just missed our Preseason Power 25 and we’re kicking ourselves now for the omission as the Wildcats are off to an impressive 5-0 start, including a win over previously ranked No. 21 Middleton.

Also off to a 5-0 start and more unexpectedly is Watertown. The Goslings already have two impressive wins on their resume, beating last week’s No. 9 Oshkosh North and No. 7 Janesville Parker. Watertown cracks the top ten at No. 10.

Getting to watch Eau Claire Memorial open their season this weekend, they proved to me that will be a formidable foe in the Big Rivers. The Old Abes have the pitching, a lively offense and solid defense, especially up the middle of the field.

Sheboygan South also was on the bubble of being a preseason top 25 and they showed their worth with a victory over then No. 9 Oshkosh North and a 2-1 start.

Oconomowoc is off to a hot start at 4-0 and comes in at No. 23. We’ll see how good the Racoons are this week when they face No. 10 Watertown twice this week.

Down and Out

Last week’s No. 11 Stoughton had the biggest fall from grace as they slipped out of the top 25 all together going 0-3 at the Woodside High School Challenge this weekend.

Middlton also fell out of the top 25 as they are off to a disappointing 1-4 start.

Wilmot, Janesville Parker and Oshkosh North all are off to less than stellar starts. Wilmot got beat rather easily in a double header by an unranked Grant HS team in Illinois to open their season, while Parker lost to crosstown rival Craig and Oshkosh North already has a pair of losses.

Eau Claire North also looked less than impressive this weekend going 1-2 at the Woodside High School Challenge. The Huskies pitching depth could be an issue as the season continues in what I believe will be a tougher than expected Big Rivers Conference.