Iowa high school baseball rankings: Mississippi Valley Conference has strong presence in final coaches poll

MVC Mississippi champion Cedar Rapids Xavier is fifth in 3A; MVC Valley co-leader Iowa City High back to No. 2 in 4A

Jul. 5, 2022 5:28 pm, Updated: Jul. 5, 2022 6:11 pm

Xavier Saints infielder Alex Neal (12) runs to home and gets the first run for the Saints in the third inning of the game at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Mississippi Valley Conference is one of the strongest and deepest large-school baseball conferences in Iowa.

The final Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A and 4A polls serve as proof.

Six MVC programs were in the final installment of the IHSBCA rankings released this week. Two more received votes, putting half of the conference in the top 15 of their respective classes. Among the ranked MVC teams are Mississippi Division champion Cedar Rapids Xavier and Iowa City High, which had a chance to clinch the Valley Division Tuesday night at Waterloo West.

The Little Hawks moved to the No. 2 spot in 4A for the second time this season, while the Saints are fifth in 3A.

“I think it’s really strong this year,” Xavier Coach Dan Halter said about the MVC. “We’ve faced several (NCAA Division I) pitchers and our schedule was pretty back loaded with a lot of the teams at the top of the league.

“You also notice there’s a lot of coaching continuity in our league, so programs are established and you know what you’re getting. I think all of us are well-prepared for the postseason.”

Xavier has been in the top six all season, moving up one spot from a week ago. The Saints are 25-10 overall and 22-6 in the conference, entering the regular-season finale at 4A No. 3 and MVC Valley Division co-leader Cedar Rapids Prairie. Xavier clinched the Mississippi Division with a 9-4 victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader split against 3A sixth-ranked Western Dubuque, which started the week just one game back of City High and Prairie.

The Saints won their third title in the last five seasons and first since 2019.

“Very proud of our guys,” Halter said. “The MVC is always a grind and these few couple weeks we’ve seen several really good arms. Especially when you get in these six-plus game weeks, guys have to bring it every day.”

City High reclaimed 4A’s second spot after a seven-game win streak. The Little Hawks extended the stretch with a 4-3 victory over 4A 10th-ranked Urbandale and a 14-7 triumph against host No. 6 Waukee Northwest on Saturday. Cade Obermueller earned the win, striking out 10 and allowing just one hit in 4 2/3 innings pitched against Urbandale.

Gable Mitchell paced City High with seven hits, including a 5-for-5, four-RBI and three-run performance against Waukee Northwest. Alex Knudtson had four hits and two RBIs against the Wolves. Joey Bouska had four total hits.

Cedar Falls is eighth in the final rankings. Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Dubuque Hempstead both received votes. The Mustangs were ranked earlier this season.

Dubuque Wahlert leads the MVC teams in 3A. The returning state finalist is fourth before Friday’s postseason opener.

West Delaware is seventh, defending state champion Marion is eighth and Independence closed the regular season at No. 9 in 3A.

The top-ranked teams in all four classes are Johnston (4A), Council Bluffs Lewis Central (3A), Van Meter (2A) and Remsen St. Mary’s (1A).

The final 1A and 2A rankings were released June 27.