West, Prairie, Jefferson move up in IHSBCA/Radio Iowa baseball rankings

The Gazette area remains well represented near the top of the latest Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association/Radio Iowa Class 4A rankings released Monday.

After a sweep of previously ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Iowa City West is second. The Trojans were state finalists last season. Cedar Rapids Prairie and Cedar Rapids Jefferson are third and fourth. They split a doubleheader Friday at Prairie. The J-Hawks have a showdown with No. 7 Dubuque Senior on Friday at Lower Kingston.

In Class 3A, West Delaware moves up to seventh. The Hawks had a 14-game win streak snapped in a doubleheader with Vinton-Shellsburg at home Thursday. West Delaware rebounded and has won 16 of its last 17 games.

Monticello and Cascade are in the top 10 of 2A. The Panthers hold the ninth spot, which is one spot ahead of the Cougars, who qualified for state last season.

In 1A, Tri-Rivers Conference programs Alburnett and North-Linn are in the top seven. The Pirates climb to third, while the Lynx are seventh. Jesup is ninth and North Tama rounds out the top 10.

Class 4A

1. Johnston

2. Iowa City West

3. Cedar Rapids Prairie

4. Cedar Rapids Jefferson

• Prairie, Jefferson split one-run games

5. Southeast Polk

6. Waukee

7. Dubuque Senior

8. Mason City

9. West Des Moines Dowling

10. West Des Moines Valley

Class 3A

1. Davenport Assumption

2. Pella

3. Harlan

4. Estherville-Lincoln Central

5. Saydel

6. Sergeant Bluff-Luton

7. West Delaware

8. Boone

9. Fairfield

10. Carlisle

Class 2A

1. Wilton

2. Clear Lake

3. New Hampton

4. Hinton

5. Treynor

6. Van Meter

7. Roland-Story

8. Northeast

9. Monticello

10. Cascade

Class 1A

1. Mason City Newman

2. Don Bosco

3. Alburnett

4. West Sioux

5. Martensdale-St. Marys

6. Lawton-Bronson

7. North Linn

8. Coon Rapids-Bayard

9. Jesup

10. North Tama

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com