Inland Area Prep Baseball Top 10
For Monday, March 23, 2015
1. Norco (7-1) — Kyle Hatton is the star of the Cougars’ show. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
RECORD: 7-1 overall, 1-0 Big VIII League. 2014: 26-3, 15-0.
LAST GAME: def. Eastvale Roosevelt, 3-2, in a Big VIII League game on Thursday, March 19.
BEST STAT: Temecula Great Oak has only win over Norco so far, a 5-4 come-from-behind victory on Feb. 28.
2. Vista Murrieta (6-3) — Inconsistency aside, Broncos’ talent can be seen in their 5-1 away record.
RECORD: 6-3 overall, 1-1 Southwestern League. 2014: 20-8, 9-6.
LAST GAME: lost, 3-2, to Temecula Chaparral in a Southwestern League game on Friday, March 20.
BEST STAT: Junior RHP Connor Cannon got the win & went 4-for-5 with a HR vs. Temecula Valley on March 18.
3. Chino Hills (7-4) — Huskies have a big-time coach, Kyle Billingsley, and loads of experience.
RECORD: 7-4 overall, 0-1 Baseline League. 2014: 23-6, 12-3 Sierra League.
LAST GAME: lost, 4-3, to No. 6 Rancho Cucamonga in a Baseline League game on Thursday, March 19.
BEST STAT: Bulk of team’s 71 runs so far came in 23-1 win over Lake Elsinore Lakeside on March 6.
4. Corona (5-2) — Led by senior RHP Tristan Beck, Panthers’ talent level at top of Inland area.
RECORD: 5-2 overall, 2-0 Big VIII League. 2014: 16-12, 8-7.
LAST GAME: def. Corona Santiago 14-1 in a Big VIII League game on Thursday, March 19.
BEST STAT: Beck is 3-0 with a 0.50 ERA and 18 Ks in three starts this season.
5. San Bernardino Cajon (10-1) — Cowboys out to the hottest start of an San Bernardino County team.
RECORD: 10-1 overall. 2014: 17-10, 10-5.
LAST GAME(S): def. Lakewood Mayfair, 7-2 and 6-2, in a non-league doubleheader on Saturday, March 21.
BEST STAT: Senior SS/RP Branden Becker has 14 Ks and three saves in eight innings pitched.
6. Rancho Cucamonga (8-2) — Cougars produced a stunner in their league opener. Trick is carrying it over.
RECORD: 8-2 overall, 1-0 Baseline League. 2014: 15-13, 9-6.
LAST GAME: def. No. 3 Chino Hills, 4-3, in a Baseline League game on Thursday, March 19.
BEST STAT: Team already has six players with 10-or-more hits, four players with 10-or-more RBI.
7. Murrieta Valley (7-0) — Nighthawks edged a cross-town rival to claim Pirate Falcon Classic championship.
RECORD: 7-0 overall, 1-0 Southwestern League. 2014: 16-12, 8-7.
LAST GAME: def. Murrieta Mesa, 2-1 in 8 innings, in the title game of the Pirate Falcon Classic on Saturday, March 21.
BEST STAT: Team is 2-0 in extra-inning games this season.
8. Yucaipa (4-3) — Thunderbirds head for warmer temps of Arizona for a week against some of the Southwest’s best.
RECORD: 4-3 overall. 2014: 18-8, 13-2.
LAST GAME: def. Covina Northview, 3-0, in a non-league game on Wednesday, March 20 .
BEST STAT: Team’s top three hitters all have BAs hovering above .420.
9. Corona Santiago (7-1) — Sharks’ only loss was disastrous blowout in Big VIII League opener.
RECORD: 7-1 overall, 0-1 Big VIII League. 2014: 15-13, 9-6.
LAST GAME: lost, 14-1, to No. 4 Corona in a Big VIII League game on Thursday, March 19.
BEST STAT: Team won Chino Don Lugo HS Tournament on March 9.
10. Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon (7-1) — Dylan Alhanati and Devin McKesson among top pitching duos.
RECORD: 7-1 overall, 2-0 Sunbelt League. 2014: 19-8, 12-3.
LAST GAME(S): def. Huntington Beach Marina, 4-3 and 5-2, in a non-league doubleheader on Saturday, March 21.
BEST STAT: Among McKesson’s 13 hits so far are three home runs.
JUST MISSED: Hesperia Sultana (9-1), Fontana Jurupa Hills (8-3), San Dimas (7-0), Hemet West Valley (7-0), Riverside Ramona (7-1), Murrieta Mesa (7-2), Fontana Summit (7-2), Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda (6-2), Riverside King (6-2), Chino Don Lugo (6-2), Hesperia Oak Hills (6-2), Upland (6-2), Chino Hills Ayala (6-3), Redlands East Valley (6-5), Riverside Arlington (5-1), Temecula Great Oak (5-2-1), La Verne Bonita (5-3), San Bernardino San Gorgonio (5-3), Redlands Citrus Valley (5-4), Riverside North (5-4), Rancho Cucamonga Alta Loma (4-3), Rialto Carter (4-3).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 