As the first half of the college baseball season winds down, the competition is only getting fiercer, and the rankings are seeing their standard shakeups. Teams that started the season with high hopes are either surging or sputtering, while others are making unexpected moves toward the top. The halfway point of the season is the perfect time to reassess who’s dominating, who’s on the rise, and which teams might be in for a second-half surge.
In this high-stakes race, powerhouse programs continue to make their mark, but some under-the-radar squads are proving they’re more than just pretenders. Expect plenty of drama as conference play intensifies and the battle for postseason spots gets even more heated. With mid-season tournaments just around the corner, the rankings will only continue to shift as teams jockey for position and fight for that coveted national attention.
NCAA DII
Despite losing a series to Florida Southern, Tampa clings to the number one spot in the latest rankings. This comes after a tough road series where they dropped two of three games to their longtime conference rival, Florida Southern. However, Tampa’s overall performance this spring remains undeniably stellar, too impressive to be overshadowed by their first series loss of the season. Incredibly, the rivalry between UT and FSC continues to be an intense, neck-and-neck battle for supremacy. Not only do both teams share the title of the winningest programs in DII—with nine national championships each—but their double-header split on Saturday marked the 226th meeting between these historic powerhouses. Had the Mocs emerged victorious in the finale, the schools would have been tied at 113-113 in their head-to-head record. As it stands, the Spartans maintain a slight edge at 114-112 over the Mocs.
With their recent victories, Florida Southern has rocketed up the rankings. After starting the season unranked, following a disappointing 18-30 finish last year, the Mocs have become one of the division’s top contenders. Like Tampa, they’ve only dropped a single series this season (two of three against Carson-Newman last month) and have catapulted into the top ten. The key to their success has been a dramatic surge in their baserunning game. FSC has already stolen 139 bases this season—more than doubling their total of 75 from last year. They are just one stolen base away from having three players with 30 steals. Jevin Relaford, whose 31 stolen bases last season marked the team’s best since 2003, already has 36 steals this year. Mikey Scott, who leads the team with a .414 batting average and a .688 slugging percentage, has swiped 29 bags. Meanwhile, Mocs’ catcher Cory Filley has stifled 14 of 31 attempted base stealers.
The team breathing down the Spartans’ necks is Angelo State, the team Tampa defeated in last year’s championship. The Rams are on a fiery ten-game winning streak since dropping a series to Lubbock Christian. Their high-octane offense has exploded for at least ten runs in 21 of 34 games this season. The team is batting an eye-popping .382 and boasts an OBP of .511. With such a devastating offensive juggernaut, it’s tough to pinpoint just one standout, but Jacob Guerrero deserves special mention. He’s hitting .444 with a .543 OBP, despite a recent slump of just one hit in his last 16 at-bats. Guerrero and the Rams are in a prime position to take down Tampa, as they face upcoming series against St. Edward’s and West Texas A&M—two Lone Star Conference teams poised to break into the Top 25.
While St. Edward’s and West Texas A&M remain on the outside looking in, Jessup has crashed into the Top 25 after taking three of four from Westmont. The former NAIA powerhouse, now part of DII, had a remarkable week. Not only did Jessup oust Westmont from the top ten, but they also triumphed in three of four against Chaminade during a grueling week in which they played eight games. Jessup now occupies the Top 25 spot left vacant by UNC Pembroke, who were swept by Emmanuel.
Meanwhile, the PSAC conference has been stockpiling victories. With three teams in the top twelve and a combined record of 63-15, it’s clear this league is making waves. East Stroudsburg has been a fixture in the top five for most of the season, and after sweeping Bloomsburg—including two shutouts—the Warriors rocketed to the number four position. Ethan Wood has shredded opposing batters, lowering his team-leading ERA to 1.01 after allowing just three hits in seven dominant innings last week.
| RANK | SCHOOL | STATE | RECORD | LAST WK | PREV RK |
| 1 | Tampa Spartans | FL | 25-6 | 2-2 | 1 |
| 2 | Angelo State Rams | TX | 28-6 | 4-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Central Missouri Mules | MO | 22-7 | 3-1 | 3 |
| 4 | East Stroudsburg Warriors | PA | 20-6 | 4-0 | 6 |
| 5 | North Greenville Trailblazers | SC | 29-8 | 5-0 | 10 |
| 6 | Millersville Marauders | PA | 21-4 | 3-1 | 8 |
| 7 | Florida Southern Moccasins | FL | 24-7 | 2-1 | 12 |
| 8 | Catawba Indians | NC | 23-9 | 0-2 | 4 |
| 9 | Minnesota State Mavericks | MN | 21-2 | 4-0 | 14 |
| 10 | Point Loma Sea Lions | CA | 22-10 | 2-2 | 5 |
| 11 | Texas Tyler Patriots | TX | 27-9 | 2-1 | 11 |
| 12 | West Chester Golden Rams | PA | 22-5 | 5-0 | 13 |
| 13 | Westmont Warriors | CA | 25-8 | 1-3 | 7 |
| 14 | Lenoir-Rhyne Bears | NC | 26-6 | 2-2 | 9 |
| 15 | Colorado Mesa Mavericks | CO | 22-8 | 4-0 | 15 |
| 16 | Young Harris Mountain Lions | GA | 24-9 | 4-0 | 16 |
| 17 | North Georgia Nighthawks | GA | 24-9 | 4-0 | 17 |
| 18 | Cal State Monterey Bay Otters | CA | 19-10 | 3-1 | 18 |
| 19 | Central Oklahoma Bronchos | OK | 24-8 | 4-0 | 20 |
| 20 | Davenport Panters | MI | 21-6 | 3-1 | 24 |
| 21 | Jessup Warriors | CA | 23-10 | 6-2 | |
| 22 | Carson-Newman Eagles | TN | 26-8 | 3-2 | 19 |
| 23 | Chico State Wildcats | CA | 18-11 | 0-0 | 23 |
| 24 | Grand Valley State Lakers | MI | 20-8 | 1-3 | 22 |
| 25 | Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks | ID | 23-10 | 1-0 | 25 |
| DROP | UNC Pembroke Braves | NC | 21 |
NAIA
Despite being the top-ranked team in the Perfect Game preseason rankings, LSU Shreveport has exceeded all expectations. The Pilots are a perfect 33-0 and utterly dismantled Texas College last weekend in what may have been a matchup between the NAIA’s top and bottom teams. The Pilots obliterated the Steers, outscoring them 94-4 over the three-game series. In the series finale, LSUS exploded for 11 earned runs against the Texas College starter—without recording a single out. The Pilots could face their first real test this week against Nelson (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University) and Texas A&M Texarkana. Next week, they’ll face DI Stephen F. Austin, but the Lumberjacks are currently struggling below .500 and may not offer much resistance to the relentless Pilots.
While the Pilots’ offense has been prolific—batting .356 as a team and slugging .610—their pitching has been even more dominant. Isaac Rohde and Draven Zeigler have combined for 110 ⅔ innings, allowing just 63 hits and striking out 148 batters. Their respective ERAs stand at an impressive 1.74 and 1.85. The third starter, Cobe Reeves, is just as imposing, with a 2.38 ERA, 68 strikeouts in 45 ⅓ innings, and only 29 hits allowed. Reeves would likely be the ace on any other team.
The Pilots’ dominant run has overshadowed yet another incredible season by Georgia Gwinnett. The Grizzlies are 30-3 and have scored at least nine runs in every game since February 14th—except for two. Opposing pitchers have posted an average ERA of 13.19 against GGC, who have ruthlessly claimed victory in their last ten games, including wins over Tennessee Wesleyan, William Carey, and a 32-2 devastation of UT Southern.
One of the few teams to have defeated Georgia Gwinnett this season is Reinhardt, another powerhouse steamrolling competition. Although the Eagles suffered a humiliating 17-0 loss to Indiana Southeast in the series finale, they dominated the first two games, outscoring the Grenadiers by a wide margin. Of Reinhardt’s five losses this season, four were to ranked teams on the road. Senior Nash Crowell continues to have a monster season, leading the Eagles in batting average (.411), home runs (12), and walks (26), which has propelled his on-base percentage to an eye-popping .550.
Despite a 22-3 record, Grand View is still on the outside looking in for the Top 25—for now. While the Vikings’ win total is impressive, their strength of schedule leaves much to be desired. The last team they beat with a winning record was Valley City State, who entered the game at 6-5. Their only games against a team with a winning record were against Webber International, where the Vikings lost both matchups. Grand View’s next opportunity to prove themselves comes in two weeks when they host Park University.
Columbia and Concordia (MI) are two other teams that need a bit more to crack the Top 25. Both are in the top ten nationally for winning percentage, but, like Grand View, their strength of schedule hasn’t been as formidable. However, the Cougars can point to a series split with Missouri Baptist, which could push them to be the next team into the rankings next week.
| RANK | SCHOOL | STATE | RECORD | LAST WK | PREV RK |
| 1 | LSU Shreveport Pilots | LA | 33-0 | 4-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies | GA | 30-3 | 3-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Cumberlands Patriots | KY | 28-6 | 4-0 | 4 |
| 4 | Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs | TN | 26-9 | 2-2 | 3 |
| 5 | Reinhardt Eagles | GA | 27-5 | 2-1 | 6 |
| 6 | Faulkner Eagles | AL | 25-7 | 3-1 | 8 |
| 7 | Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles | OK | 30-5 | 1-2 | 5 |
| 8 | Webber International Warriors | FL | 26-8 | 4-0 | 10 |
| 9 | Loyola Wolf Pack | LA | 25-9 | 2-1 | 9 |
| 10 | Hope International Royals | CA | 29-6 | 3-1 | 11 |
| 11 | Taylor Trojans | IN | 28-5 | 4-0 | 12 |
| 12 | Southeastern Fire | FL | 28-6 | 2-2 | 7 |
| 13 | Arizona Christian Firestorm | AZ | 28-8-1 | 4-0 | 15 |
| 14 | Ottawa Braves | KS | 29-6 | 3-1 | 14 |
| 15 | Missouri Baptist Spartans | MO | 24-9 | 4-1 | 18 |
| 16 | Cumberland Phoenix | TN | 27-8-1 | 3-1 | 19 |
| 17 | Houston-Victoria Jaguars | TX | 29-7 | 4-0 | 21 |
| 18 | Concordia Bulldogs | NE | 20-8 | 2-0 | 24 |
| 19 | Keiser Seahawks | FL | 23-6 | 1-3 | 13 |
| 20 | Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes | KS | 22-11 | 3-0 | 25* |
| 21 | William Carey Crusaders | MS | 26-7 | 0-3 | 16 |
| 22 | Mid-America Christian Evangels | OK | 26-11 | 1-3 | 17 |
| 23 | Johnson Royals | TN | 24-8 | 2-2 | 20 |
| 24 | Morningside Mustangs | IA | 22-5-1 | 4-2 | 23 |
| 25 | Indiana Southeast Grenadiers | IN | 23-9 | 1-2 | 22 |
| DROP | USAO Drovers | OK | 21-13 | 2-2 | 25* |
NCAA DIII
Denison claimed the top spot in the DIII rankings last week and now has the chance to solidify their position with a pair of games against Penn State Harrisburg this Sunday. The Big Red already boast victories over previously ranked Christopher Newport and Cortland, as well as over Johns Hopkins, Endicott, and Lynchburg—three teams currently positioned in the top five. Erik Sundgren has been a dominant force for Denison on offense, batting .413 with 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Peter Lemke has posted a 2.49 ERA and is stifling opposing hitters, holding them to a .179 batting average.
Wisconsin-Whitewater remains DIII’s lone undefeated team, improving to 13-0 after decimating St. Mary’s (MN) and UW-Eau Claire. Over five games, the Warhawks outscored their opponents 58-5. Sophomore reliever Ben Lee has been unbelievable—last season, he pitched 10 innings with a 13.50 ERA, allowing 16 hits and 11 walks. But this season, in the same 10 innings, Lee has yet to allow an earned run, giving up just five hits and five walks.
This week saw two teams enter the rankings—Shenandoah and Gettysburg. While the Hornets are often in the rankings, it’s the Bullets’ debut in the Perfect Game poll. Gettysburg is 22-2 after a dominant week, including a 26-1 victory over Muhlenberg on Saturday. The 26 runs scored were the most in school history in a Centennial Conference game, and their 25-run margin of victory was their largest ever in conference play. Senior Jack Burke is tearing it up, hitting .435 with 15 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases. Gettysburg will have the chance to prove their ranking this week with a pair of games against Johns Hopkins.
Sitting just outside the rankings, for now, is 2017 National Champion Cal Lutheran. The Kingsmen are 18-6 and boast an incredible pitching staff. Their starting duo of Luke Wechsler (1.76 ERA) and Leo Bristow (2.06 ERA), both averaging over a strikeout per inning, are a formidable one-two punch. But it’s their closer, Frank Willius, who has been utterly dominant. The sophomore southpaw has struck out 47 batters in 26 innings, allowing only 17 hits. With a 2.08 ERA, three wins, and two saves across ten appearances, Willius has been a nightmare for opposing hitters.
| RANK | SCHOOL | STATE | RECORD | LAST WK | PREV RK |
| 1 | Denison Big Red | OH | 16-3 | 2-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Johns Hopkins Blue Jays | MD | 20-3 | 4-1 | 2 |
| 3 | Endicott Gulls | MA | 13-3 | 2-0 | 3 |
| 4 | UW-Whitewater Warhawks | WI | 13-0 | 5-0 | 4 |
| 5 | Lynchburg Hornets | VA | 20-4 | 3-1 | 5 |
| 6 | Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags | CA | 19-5 | 2-1 | 9 |
| 7 | Salisbury Seagulls | MD | 18-5 | 3-1 | 8 |
| 8 | La Verne Leopards | CA | 19-4 | 1-2 | 6 |
| 9 | Penn State Harrisburg Lions | PA | 17-4-1 | 3-1-1 | 11 |
| 10 | Salve Regina Seahawks | RI | 12-5 | 1-2 | 7 |
| 11 | UW LaCrosse Eagles | WI | 13-2 | 5-0 | 12 |
| 12 | Babson Beavers | MA | 11-4 | 4-1 | 15 |
| 13 | East Texas Baptist Tigers | TX | 15-8 | 3-1 | 13 |
| 14 | Trinity Tigers | TX | 21-6 | 2-1 | 14 |
| 15 | Kean Cougars | NJ | 18-5 | 2-2 | 16 |
| 16 | Rowan Profs | NJ | 14-5 | 3-3 | 10 |
| 17 | Eastern Connecticut St. Warriors | CT | 12-5 | 2-1 | 17 |
| 18 | Concordia (TX) Tornados | TX | 23-6 | 3-0 | 18 |
| 19 | Coe Kohawks | IA | 13-4 | 3-1 | 20 |
| 20 | Centre Colonels | KY | 19-5 | 4-0 | 23 |
| 21 | Shenandoah Hornets | VA | 18-7 | 3-1 | |
| 22 | Gettysburg Bullets | PA | 20-2 | 3-1 | |
| 23 | Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens | CA | 14-9 | 2-1 | 19 |
| 24 | Case Western Reserve Spartans | OH | 14-8 | 3-2 | 21 |
| 25 | Misericordia Cougars | PA | 16-8 | 2-2 | 25 |
| DROP | Cortland State Red Dragons | NY | 24 | ||
| DROP | Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets | VA | 22 |