THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,393 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,393 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Rankings | 4/9/2025

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 9

Nick Herfordt
The college baseball season has officially entered its second half, and the action is heating up. The nation’s top-ranked teams have continued to flex their muscles, racking up wins and proving why they’re perched at the top of the standings. But as always, the second half of the season brings plenty of intrigue. A wave of challengers and up-and-coming programs are making their move, eager to disrupt the status quo and carve out a spot among the elite. With every series carrying more weight, the stretch run promises to deliver the kind of drama, breakout performances, and unexpected shake-ups that make college baseball so electric.

NCAA DII 



With the top ten teams combining for a dominant 29-5 record last week, there were no shake-ups at the top of the rankings.

Tampa remains the No. 1 team in the nation, bouncing back in emphatic fashion from their first series loss of the season. The Spartans demolished Valdosta State and then swept Nova Southeastern in a statement week. Star outfielder Jordan Williams made history during the series against the Sharks, swiping his club-record 53rd base of the season — and he’s not done yet. With five full series remaining in the regular season, plus what’s expected to be a deep postseason run, Williams (who boasts a .441 on-base percentage) is on track to easily steal a dozen more bags.

Minnesota State continues to roll as well. The Mavericks completed a sweep of Minot State last week, improving to an impressive 24-2. After opening the year ranked No. 22, MSU has surged into the top ten and shows no signs of slowing down. Their offense has been on a tear, scoring double-digit runs in five of their last six games and slugging an eye-popping .562 on the season. Graduate slugger Ike Mezzenga, who transferred from the University of Minnesota after two standout years, is hitting .396 and leads the team with 12 home runs.

The only knock on the Mavericks? Their strength of schedule. MSU has faced just one ranked opponent so far — a 4-1 win over Grand Valley State in Florida — and won’t be truly tested until a marquee showdown with Augustana at the end of the month. Still, the Mavericks are shaping up to be serious contenders for a return trip to the Division II College World Series — a place they visited four times in five seasons between 2010 and 2014.

This week’s Perfect Game rankings also feature two historic first-timers.

The Lewis Flyers broke into the Top 25 after sweeping Davenport, riding a powerful offense led by George Bilecki, who’s hitting .368 with 15 home runs. On the mound, Brendan Lawry has been lights out, holding opposing hitters to a .189 average while racking up 45 strikeouts in just 35 ⅓ innings. Lawry, a transfer from Eckerd, has quickly become an ace for the Flyers.

Joining them in the rankings for the first time ever is Thomas Jefferson. The Rams are 23-9 and just took three of four from Goldey-Beacom in a battle of top northeastern programs. With momentum on their side, TJ is becoming a team to watch. 

Rank School  State Record Last Wk Prev Rk
1 Tampa Spartans FL 29-6 4-0 1
2 Angelo State Rams TX 30-7 4-1 2
3 East Stroudsburg Warriors PA 24-6 4-0 4
4 Central Missouri Mules MO 24-8 2-1 3
5 North Greenville Trailblazers SC 32-8 3-0 5
6 Millersville Marauders PA 24-5 3-1 6
7 Florida Southern Moccasins FL 27-8 3-1 7
8 Catawba Indians NC 26-10 3-1 8
9 Minnesota State Mavericks MN 24-2 3-0 9
10 Point Loma Sea Lions CA 22-10 0-0 10
11 Texas Tyler Patriots TX 28-9 0-0 11
12 Colorado Mesa Mavericks CO 26-8 4-0 15
13 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears NC 31-6 5-0 14
14 Westmont Warriors CA 28-9 3-1 13
15 West Chester Golden Rams PA 25-7 3-2 12
16 North Georgia Nighthawks GA 27-10 3-1 17
17 Grand Valley State Lakers MI 23-9 3-1 24
18 Lewis Flyers IL 24-6 5-0
19 Central Oklahoma Bronchos OK 28-8 4-0 19
20 Young Harris Mountain Lions GA 26-11 2-2 16
21 Cal State Monterey Bay Otters CA 21-12 2-2 18
22 Chico State Wildcats CA 21-12 3-1 23
23 Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks ID 27-10 4-0 25
24 Thomas Jefferson Rams PA 23-9 5-1
25 Carson-Newman Eagles TN 27-11 1-3 22
DROP Davenport Panters
DROP Jessup Warriors
 
NAIA

Preseason No. 1 LSU Shreveport isn’t just living up to the hype — they’re obliterating it. The Pilots extended their flawless record to 37-0 after steamrolling Texas A&M Texarkana in a three-game sweep that included a jaw-dropping 16-0 blowout.

Next up, they hit the road to face a scrappy Southwest squad sitting at 22-16 — a team with upset potential. After that, they’ll host No. 18 Houston-Victoria for a pivotal three-game set. With an offense hitting .363 and a pitching staff holding opponents to a minuscule .192 batting average, an undefeated regular season isn’t just possible — it’s starting to look probable.

Cumberlands’ Charlie Muñiz isn’t just having a big season — he’s putting together one of the best in NAIA history. Already a proven powerhouse with two .400+ seasons and a 36-homer campaign under his belt, Muñiz is somehow even better this year.

The senior catcher is slashing .452 with a nation-leading 26 home runs — four more than anyone else in the NAIA. He’s rocking a ridiculous 1.560 OPS, has started every game for the 33-6, third-ranked Patriots, and has only struck out 18 times all season.

Last week, Muñiz and the Pats obliterated Carolina University in a three-game sweep, outscoring them 52-2, including two shutouts from the pitching staff. With Tennessee Wesleyan midweek and a weekend series against Lindsey Wilson, the Patriots are primed to solidify their top-three status.

There was just one new team in the Top 25 this week, but they made a loud entrance. The Columbia Cougars edged out Grand View to snag the spot vacated by Morningside, who dropped six straight.

Columbia is flat-out raking at the plate, boasting a jaw-dropping team average of .379. They’ve got three everyday starters hitting over .400 and two more flirting with .390. Senior slugger Brayden McGinnis is the centerpiece, hitting .495 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs, and multiple hits in 14 of 34 games. He crushed Hannibal-LaGrange last weekend, helping Columbia post 51 runs in four games, and they added a solid 18-8 win over MidAmerica Nazarene midweek. Next up: a big test against NCAA DI Lindenwood and a four-game road trip to face Mission University.

At 24-4, Grand View remains the "first team out" — and while their record sparkles, the résumé needs a little more shine. The Vikings are a perfect 16-0 at home and on neutral turf, but they’re still missing a marquee win. Their lone game against ranked competition? A February doubleheader against Webber International — and they got swept.

Rank School  State Record Last Wk Prev Rk
1 LSU Shreveport Pilots LA 37-0 4-0 1
2 Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies GA 34-3 3-0 2
3 Cumberlands Patriots KY 33-6 4-0 3
4 Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs TN 29-10 3-1 4
5 Reinhardt Eagles GA 29-8 2-2 5
6 Faulkner Eagles AL 28-8 3-1 6
7 Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles OK 34-5 4-0 7
8 Webber International Warriors FL 29-9 3-1 8
9 Loyola Wolf Pack LA 30-9 4-0 9
10 Hope International Royals CA 34-6 5-0 10
11 Taylor Trojans IN 30-7 2-2 11
12 Southeastern Fire FL 32-6 4-0 12
13 Missouri Baptist Spartans MO 28-9 4-0 15
14 Arizona Christian Firestorm AZ 30-10-1 2-2 13
15 Ottawa Braves KS 31-8 2-2 14
16 Johnson Royals TN 27-10 3-1 23
17 Concordia Bulldogs NE 26-8 4-0 18
18 Houston-Victoria Jaguars TX 33-8 3-1 17
19 Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes KS 27-11 4-0 20
20 William Carey Crusaders MS 30-7 4-0 21
21 Mid-America Christian Evangels OK 30-11 3-0 22
22 Cumberland Phoenix TN 29-10-1 2-2 16
23 Keiser Seahawks FL 25-8 2-2 19
24 Columbia Cougars MO 31-5 3-0
25 Indiana Southeast Grenadiers IN 25-9 0-0 25
DROP Morningside Mustangs IA 24


NCAA DIII

After a brief hiatus, Johns Hopkins is back on top of the DIII baseball rankings — and they’re making it clear they intend to stay there. The Blue Jays notched four wins last week, sweeping a previously ranked Gettysburg squad and taking two more from Muhlenberg. A highly anticipated showdown with No. 9 Penn State Harrisburg was postponed, but Hopkins isn’t lacking in resume wins.

Their biggest weapon? Pitching. JHU’s staff boasts a stunning 2.76 ERA, sixth-best in the nation, despite facing a barrage of top-tier bats from programs like Endicott, Denison, and Salisbury — all currently ranked in the top six nationally.

Sophomore Drew Grumbles has been virtually untouchable, allowing just one earned run in 36 ⅓ innings for a microscopic 0.25 ERA, while racking up 50 strikeouts and surrendering only 19 hits. Meanwhile, Kieren Collins has been equally dominant, with a 0.86 ERA over 42 innings and a .212 opponent batting average.

While the top of the rankings stayed mostly intact, Case Western Reserve made a big splash, leaping from No. 24 to No. 14 after taking three of four from a strong Emory squad — their second straight series win against quality competition.

After a slow start, the Spartans are looking like the team many expected when they debuted in the preseason Top 10. Leading the charge is senior Nick Harms, who's doing everything short of carrying the team on his back. He’s hitting .425 with 7 doubles, 4 triples, and 8 home runs — and he’s also a perfect 12-for-12 on stolen bases.

Three programs earned spots in this week’s Perfect Game DIII Top 25 — and for one, it’s their first ever.

Cal Lutheran is no stranger to the rankings and returns after heating up at the right time. The Kingsmen are gearing up for a huge three-game showdown with No. 7 La Verne this weekend, backed by standout starters Luke Wechsler (1.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP in 53 IP) and Leo Bristow (2.18 ERA, 57 Ks in 45 ⅓ IP).

UT Dallas continues to turn heads, moving to 23-3 after taking two of three from East Texas Baptist and earning a statement win over Concordia (TX) — all on the road. The Comets are making just their second appearance in the national rankings, and they’ve earned every bit of it.

Gustavus Adolphus cracked the rankings for the first time in school history. The Gusties racked up wins over St. Scholastica and Saint John’s (MN) and have scored double-digit runs in each of their last five contests. They’re riding a wave of momentum straight into the national spotlight.

Rank School  State Record Last Wk Prev Rk
1 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays MD 24-3 4-0 2
2 Endicott Gulls MA 18-3 4-0 3
3 Denison Big Red OH 17-4 1-1 1
4 UW-Whitewater Warhawks WI 17-0 4-0 4
5 Lynchburg Hornets VA 24-4 4-0 5
6 Salisbury Seagulls MD 22-5 3-0 7
7 La Verne Leopards CA 22-3 3-0 8
8 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags CA 21-6 2-1 6
9 Penn State Harrisburg Lions PA 21-5-1 4-1 9
10 UW LaCrosse Eagles WI 17-2 4-0 11
11 Kean Cougars NJ 22-5 4-0 15
12 Trinity Tigers TX 23-7 2-1 14
13 Salve Regina Seahawks RI 14-7 2-1 10
14 Case Western Reserve Spartans OH 17-9 3-1 24
15 Eastern Connecticut St. Warriors CT 16-5 3-0 17
16 Coe Kohawks IA 18-5 4-1 19
17 UT Dallas Comets TX 23-3 3-1
18 Babson Beavers MA 13-6 2-2 12
19 Rowan Profs NJ 16-7 2-2 16
20 East Texas Baptist Tigers TX 16-10 1-2 13
21 Centre Colonels KY 21-7 2-2 20
22 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen CA 20-7 2-1
23 Concordia (TX) Tornados TX 23-8 0-2 18
24 Gustavus Adolphus Gusties  MN 19-4 3-0
25 Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens CA 16-10 23
DROP Shenandoah Hornets VA 21
DROP Gettysburg Bullets PA 22
DROP Misericordia Cougars PA 25
Give us your feedback
College | Story | 7/28/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 28 Summer Edition
John Coppolella
Article Image
The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it.    Player of the Week: Blake Schaaf – Bourne Braves  Schaaf had a big week, going 12-for-22 (.545 AVG) with 3 Doubles, 4 Stolen Bases, and 9 Runs Scored. It’s been the continuation of a terrific summer for the...
Read More
Draft | Story | 7/30/2026

2026 MLB Draft Signing Deadline Recap

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
As of Monday at 5 p.m. ET, the 2026 MLB Draft is officially complete. The signing deadline has passed, meaning we now know every team’s finalized draft class and exactly how much each player signed for. Entering the draft, it was clear there was a distinct top tier consisting of Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Vahn Lackey. That separation became even more evident once contracts were signed. Cholowsky became the first player in draft history to sign for more than $10 million, agreeing to a record-setting $10,347,500 bonus with the White Sox. Emerson set a new high school signing bonus record at $9,747,500, the second-largest bonus ever awarded to a draft pick. Lackey rounded out the trio with a $9,497,500 bonus, the third-largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history. Those weren’t the only records set. Teams combined to spend $402,481,143 in signing bonuses, surpassing last...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Blue Wave Battle & Prevail at 14u Classic

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
For Excel Blue Wave, the summer was never about being perfect. It was about getting better. After a season filled with challenges, growth, and plenty of learning along the way, Excel Blue Wave put everything together when it mattered most, defeating SBG Sox Prime, Al 9-3 to capture the 2026 14U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. For Excel Blue Wave Coach Forrest Heacock, watching the group celebrate with a championship trophy was especially meaningful because of everything it took to get there.  “It hasn’t been the easiest summer, and have battled a lot,” Coach Heacock said. “The kids have improved so much over the summer, and that is really what it’s all about at this age. It’s really just about improving at this age, and to see them be able to put it together, and just really compete together and play as a team, I couldn’t be...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Excel Leaves No Doubt at 15u Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Excel Blue Wave National wasn’t leaving Hoover empty-handed.  At least, that was the message head coach Wes Henderson gave his team.  After a summer filled with strong performances but without a tournament title to show for them, Excel Blue Wave National entered the 2026 15U Perfect Game Hoover Classic with one more opportunity to finish the season the way they wanted.  This time, they left no doubt.  Excel Blue Wave National defeated East Coast Sox 2029 Victus, 12-0 in the championship game, combining a balanced offensive attack with a strong performance on the mound to secure their first tournament title of the summer.  “It’s been a special group,” Coach Henderson said. “They fought really hard, and they played really well this summer, and this is the first championship that we’ve been able to bring home. We typically...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

"Excel"ling Through the Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
After a long summer of baseball, Excel Blue Wave National had one final opportunity to end it the way every team hopes to.  Together, having fun, and as champions. Excel Blue Wave National closed their summer with a 13-9 victory over Excel Blue Wave American – Morrison to capture the 2026 16U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. In a game that required contributions throughout the lineup and seven innings of competition, the Excel Blue Wave National relied on the same qualities and approach that had carried the group all summer. With talent, perseverance and a chemistry built far beyond the baseball field, they were unstoppable.  For head coach Brennan McCullough, there couldn’t have been a much better way for his players to finish their final weekend together .  “It’s great,” Coach McCullough said. “We’ve had a long...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

16u West WS Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Quinton Hall
Article Image
16u West World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Jason Lizotte (‘28 | NV) Smooth LHH, hunts pitches down in the zone he can rip to the middle & PS w/ a downhill & direct path. Some strength in the hands w/ feel for the barrel #PGWS pic.twitter.com/kbK5Ayvhd7 — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Jason Lizotte (2028 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitter and outfielder was a spark plug all weekend for MTBA Dawgs 2028, finishing with seven hits, eight runs scored, one double, one triple, four RBI, three stolen bases, and four walks without a strikeout. Lizotte refused to give away an at-bat, consistently working hitter’s counts before spraying line drives all over the field. The left-handed swing stays short and direct with plenty of feel for the barrel, and once he reached base, he immediately put pressure on the defense with...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

SBA Sox Save Best for Last

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Sometimes the best ending comes after a season of figuring things out. For SBG Sox American, the summer wasn’t always seamless. The team spent their early weeks learning where players fit best, building chemistry and searching for the combination that would allow them to play their best baseball. By the final weekend, they found it.  SBG Sox American closed their summer with a 7-5 victory over Dirtbags Midsouth 2027 Black to capture the 2026 17U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship, putting together one final winning performance in the last tournament this group would share this summer.  For SBG Sox Coach Cooper Williams, that made taking home the championship trophy even more meaningful. “It’s been great, especially for it being their last summer event,” Coach Williams said. “It’s really cool for them to kind of pull this thing out for...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

East World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Evan Brand (2027, Acworth, Ga.) has been solid at the plate all summer and did not slow down late in the summer. This week, Brand was able to hit just under the .700 mark and tallied three extra base hits, including a homer. The switch hitter has a fluid barrel path with plus feel for the barrel to all fields. The lower half also moves with some rhythm, and the switch hitting ability with the accuracy to the barrel provides plenty of intrigue. The middle infielder is committed to Georgia Tech. Atley Schwarzrock (‘27 GA) catches of all of the first pitch he sees launching it over the wall in left for a 2-run 💣 sending it with some heat; stays loose in his progressing ripping the barrel thru the zone with some strength behind it and staying tall on impact. #EastWS… pic.twitter.com/oGxbPQN1W0 — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) July 27, 2026 Atley Schwarzrock (2027,...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lukas Waite (‘27, CA) showed LOUD stuff out of the pen. 6-2/205 frame. High-end athlete on the mound. FB sat 92-95 (T96). SL at 80-82 generated uncomfortable whiffs #PGWS @California_PG @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXaVxqA2kv — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Lukas Waite (2027, San Diego, Calif.) came out of the pen on day four and showcased the loudest stuff out of the entire event. The recently named PG All-American ran the fastball up to 96 mph and sat 92-95 mph throughout the outing. A slider at 80-82 mph was lethal. It tunnels well off the heater and gets uncomfortable whiffs often. Waite features a 6-2, 205-pound frame that moves extremely well. There is supreme athleticism throughout the delivery that stands out. The upside is extremely high and will be sure to draw heavy draft interest during this...
Read More
All American Game | Story | 7/29/2026

Victorino & Girardi Tabbed PGAAC Managers

Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SHANE VICTORINO AND JOE GIRARDI NAMED MANAGERS FOR PERFECT GAME DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   Former Phillies Stars to Lead Nation's Top High School Baseball Players on August 16 in Philadelphia   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that former Phillies All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino and former Phillies manager Joe Girardi will serve as managers for Team East and Team West, respectively, at the 2026 Perfect Game DICK'S All-American Classic, taking place on Sunday, August 16, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.   Joining Girardi and...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.