Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings: Center Point-Urbana joins the top 10 in Class 3A poll

Center Point-Urbana is good and people outside the program have noticed.

The Stormin’ Pointers have produced a strong start and they earned a little recognition for their early efforts.

CPU opened the season 9-0 and cracked the third installment of the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A rankings released Monday. The Stormin’ Pointers debut at No. 10 after receiving votes last week.

“The rankings are a testament to how our guys have played, thus far,” said CPU Coach Tyler Smith, who surpassed 100 career wins with Thursday’s doubleheader sweep over Clear Creek Amana. “I think it’s great recognition, but with this group we have been extremely focused and locked in on the now.

“We know with the rankings we will get everyone’s best shot and this group is excited for each new challenge they are faced with.”

Twelve starters and letterwinners return from a team that went 16-15 last season. The experience has meshed with young talent. CPU has scored 11.2 runs per game, entering Monday night’s doubleheader against Mount Vernon. The Stormin’ Pointers are fielding at almost a 96-percent clip as a team.

“Our experience and leadership have definitely played a role not only in games but also how we prepare and practice,” Smith said. “This group sets the tone each and every day and continues to grind and stick to our plan even when we have trailed or gotten into jams. The leadership from the guys that have ‘been there’ has helped some of the newcomers get up to speed quicker as well.”

Pitching was a question mark to start the season. The staff has been serviceable with a 2.57 team earned-run average and 1.50 WHIP (walks/hits per innings pitched). They have combined for 80 strikeouts in 60 innings. Senior Bryer Wiley is 3-0 with 22 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. Blayze Havel and Jonah Dupont each own a 2-0 record. Trevor Antes is 1-0 with 1.62 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13 innings.

“Our pitching staff has grown greatly throughout the offseason and has made some great strides since week 1,” Smith said. “The first few games this year we struggled with allowing free bases, so we have really hit the mindset and mentality of attacking hitters and being ahead in counts.

“We need to stay consistent with that each and every game as our schedule is very challenging this year.”

Smith said he is most proud of their collective endeavor. Multiple players have made timely contributions through the first nine games, providing a boost for a struggling teammate. They have shown resilience to overcome injuries and unity has helped produce success.

“It seems like guys don’t feel as much pressure to carry the load because so many guys have come through in big moments,” Smith said. “As a group, we continue to battle in games. If we fail, we move on and don’t give in. I can’t say enough about this group up to this point and their ability to handle adversity.”

Not much movement has occurred in the polls. Johnston (4A), Western Dubuque (3A), Underwood (2A) and Burlington Notre Dame (1A) remain top-ranked.

In 3A, Wamac Conference powers are in the poll again, joining CPU. Marion remains third, while Solon jumped three spots to No. 6 before their meeting Monday.

In 4A, Cedar Rapids Kennedy stays at No. 2 with Iowa City High third. Those two teams were scheduled to play Monday night. Cedar Rapids Prairie is ranked seventh in 4A.

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Dyersville Beckman and Mid-Prairie stay at third and fifth, respectively, in 2A. They are joined by Anamosa, which is 10th.

North Linn is eighth in 1A, while South Winneshiek returns to the 1A rankings at 10th.

Class 4A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Johnston (14-0)

2. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (14-1)

3. Iowa City High (14-2)

4. Ankeny Centennial (7-2)

5. Dallas Center-Grimes (10-1)

6. Southeast Polk (11-3)

7. Cedar Rapids Prairie (9-4)

8. Waukee (8-4)

9. Waukee Northwest (9-6)

10. Sioux City East (10-2)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Council Bluffs Lincoln (4-5), Iowa City Liberty (9-4), Linn-Mar (8-6), Urbandale (9-4), West Des Moines Dowling (4-5)

Class 3A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Western Dubuque (8-3)

2. North Polk (7-2)

3. Marion (12-0)

4. Dubuque Wahlert (10-3)

5. Central DeWitt (5-2)

6. Solon (9-2)

7. Bondurant-Farrar (9-5)

8. Harlan (7-3)

9. Sioux City Heelan (8-4)

10. Center Point-Urbana (9-0)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Creston (8-4), Davenport Assumption (4-5), Glenwood (5-1), Pella (7-2), Saydel (8-1)

Class 2A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Underwood (4-0)

2. West Marshall (12-1)

3. Dyersville Beckman (9-2)

4. Van Meter (12-1)

5. Mid-Prairie (8-1)

6. Des Moines Christian (8-1)

7. New Hampton (11-1)

8. Pleasantville (3-2)

9. Estherville-Lincoln Central (9-1)

10. Anamosa (6-2)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Clarinda (5-1), Roland-Story (7-5), Spirit Lake (5-1), Sumner-Fredericksburg (6-1), Truro Interstate 35 (9-2)

Class 1A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Burlington Notre Dame (9-0)

2. Lynnville-Sully (10-0)

3. Akron-Westfield (8-1)

4. Saint Ansgar (9-1)

5. Remsen St. Mary’s (7-1)

6. Mason City Newman (11-2)

7. Tri-Center (6-0)

8. North Linn (7-2)

9. Wapsie Valley (11-4)

10. South Winneshiek (3-1)

Other receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Grand View Christian (10-2), Lansing Kee (9-3), Sigourney (7-0), Woodbine (7-0), Woodbury Central (8-2)

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com