THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* Rk Team Div Comment 1 MATER DEI Div. I Mike Torres and Danny Espinosa form a net up the middle of the infield. 2 RIVERSIDE POLY Div. I Two juniors and two sophomores said to hit 87 mph. 3 EL CAMINO REAL City L.A. transfer of Nick Akins further distanced Conquistadors from rest of City. 4 ESPERANZA Div. I Texas-bound P-OF Joe Dickerson could probably carry team but won’t have to. 5 EDISON Div. I Among the innings thrown last season, 98% came from pitchers who are back. 6 WSTMN. LA QUINTA Div. III The Aztecs are looking for a second pitcher to complement Brandon Laird. 7 CORONA SANTIAGO Div. I P-OF Jacob Medina was a Division II first-team selection last season. 8 SIMI VALLEY Div. I The Pioneers have the Southland’s top catcher in senior Bryan Anderson. 9 CHATSWORTH City Puts 50-game winning streak on line Friday against visiting Agoura. 10 AGOURA Div. I Well-armed Chargers will be tough to beat if they can score a few runs. 11 CHAMINADE Div. II Juniors Casey Haerther and Kyle Thompson form a tough pitching duo. 12 HART Div. I Division II semifinalist last season has pitching and junior shortstop Matt Valaika. 13 NORCO Div. I Senior left-hander Josh Romanski went 7-2 last season. 14 LAKEWOOD Div. I Justin Wheeler returns after an 8-2 season with a 2.35 ERA. 15 EL DORADO Div. I The Golden Hawks move up a division after making Division II final last year. 16 VILLA PARK Div. I Less-intimidating lineup still features junior shortstop Nathan Bridges. 17 CAPISTRANO VALLEY Div. I Loss of No. 1 pitcher Doug Blum (broken foot) could slow Cougars until stretch run. 18 L.B. WILSON Div. I Sophomore right-hander Ryan Dent among five returning starters. 19 CHINO Div. I Four three-year starters include pitchers Luis Hernandez and Chris Magallanez. 20 NOGALES Div. III Nobles should be tough when UC Irvine-bound right-hander Jeff Allen is on the mound. 21 LOS ALAMITOS Div. I Pepperdine-bound shortstop Chase D’Arnaud leads well-balanced, senior-laden group. 22 GAHR Div. III Shortstop Eddie Murray and third baseman Victor Lopez will provide plenty of offense. 23 PALM DESERT Div. IV Third baseman Jordan Lowe hit .534 with seven home runs last season. 24 CYPRESS Div. II Two-time defending Empire League champions feature solid lineup again. 25 OXNARD Div. I Yellowjackets won first league title in 33 years last season.

*--*