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Editor’s note: Comprised of teams from the Central California Athletic Alliance, Mother Lode League, Southern League and Trans-Valley League. Last week’s ranking and current record in parenthesis:
1. (1) Ripon (16-0): The top-ranked Indians throttled Modesto Christian and Riverbank in their final tune-ups for this week’s Nor Cal Classic in Tracy. Ripon will compete in the Platinum Division, where a potential semifinal showdown with large-school Oakdale awaits.
2. (2) Calaveras (11-2): One of the hottest teams in the region, Calaveras continued to bludgeon Mother Lode League opposition. Calaveras has won 11 straight and outscored Amador in a sweep 30-6. Calaveras travels to Argonaut Tuesday and then opens the Nor Cal Classic with Enochs Thursday.
3. (3) Escalon (10-6-1): The Cougars have bounced back from their loss to Ripon with three consecutive victories, including a 10-6 win over then-No. 5 Hilmar, which fell out of the Top 5 after back-to-back losses. Arabella Strach doubled, tripled and drove in three runs against the Yellowjackets.
t-4. (4) Waterford (14-2): Tawni McCarty struck out 21 batters and Alyssa Donaldson drove in two runs as the Wildcats survived a thrilling nine-inning battle with Le Grand, 4-3. Waterford will open the Nor Cal Classic against American of Fremont on Thursday.
t-4. (4) Ripon Christian (14-3): Winners of nine straight, the Knights were idle last week while many of their juniors and seniors visited the nation’s capital. Ripon Christian returns to the diamond this week with a tournament at Modesto Christian.
5. (nr) Livingston (7-8): Despite its sub-.500 record, Livingston makes its debut in the small-school Top 5 because the Wolves have become a sudden force in the Trans-Valley League. Freshman Amie Valdez is a budding ace who has handcuffed Ripon and helped knock Hilmar from the Top 5 with an extra-inning victory last week.
Follow James Burns on Twitter @jburns1980, or email him at frontrowpreps@gmail.com.
