| Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | BataviasBest.org
Here is my fourth, and final edition of Power Rankings for the 2018 local HS Baseball season.
1. BATAVIA
After a failed trip to the Section V Class A2 Finals, the Blue Devils will say goodbye to eight seniors during the 2018 offseason. However, four important players return for Batavia next year, as well as three other players who saw time on the field this past season. I also gather that they have quality talent coming up from the JVs, so it could be another strong campaign for the Devils in 2019.
2. PEMBROKE +1
Pembroke fell just short of the Section V Class C1 Finals, and look forward to a transitional year in 2019. They do have a few contributors returning, but much of what fueled them these past few seasons is leaving them via graduation. The 2018 GR Division I Champ Dragons will be a team to watch next season.
3. LE ROY -1
Le Roy is losing just four seniors to graduation during the summer, and will welcome back much of the core of their roster in 2019. Despite failing to reach the semifinals during sectionals this year after winning the Class C1 Title in 2017, I believe the Knights will be a more-realistic title contender in the season to come.
4. CAL-MUM
Cal-Mum endured a roller coaster of a season, as they started cold, only to heat up, and then cool off again down the stretch – falling in the Section V Class C2 Quarterfinals. The Raiders will lose seven seniors to graduation, many of which have served as key contributors for the last few years, and will transition into a new era of C-M baseball in 2019.
5. NOTRE DAME +2
Notre Dame surprised me down the stretch and made it all the way to the Section V Class D1 Semifinals. Nine players will likely return for the Irish next season, giving this team the opportunity to continue to compete for a GR League Title. However, key losses will hit them just like any team, and they will be forced to absorb the graduation of nine seniors.
6. OAKFIELD +2
Oakfield was a young team this year, and still managed to win a sectional game. Next season, after losing just three seniors to graduation, Oakfield may turn into a legitimate GR League Title contender. They will welcome back nine juniors, two sophomores, and a freshman in 2019.
7. ATTICA -2
With eight seniors this year, Attica’s failure to win a sectional game was certainly a disappointment. Six players are slated to return to the field for the Blue Devils in 2019.
8. ALEXANDER -2
Alexander had only two seniors this year so they may be in for a step forward in 2019, when they will welcome back ten juniors, and two sophomores. A big year may be coming up for the Trojans, after failing to win a sectional game this season.
9. HOLLEY
Holley has just three players returning to the team next season. They will graduate ten seniors during the offseason.
10. LYNDONVILLE
Lyndonville should be much more competitive next season, as they will graduate just three seniors during the offseason.
11. PAVILION +1
Pavilion came on strong down the stretch, and even won a sectional game. They hope to build on that success next year after losing just one senior to graduation this offseason.
12. BYRON-BERGEN -1
Byron-Bergen is hoping to be more competitive next year, as they say farewell to only three seniors during the offseason.
