4/17/25
As crazy as it sounds, we’re already halfway through the baseball season. There are still League, District, and State Tournaments to be had, and the RPI is ever-changing. We will look at the top five teams in each class, with a link to the full RPI Rankings. The halfway mark is the perfect time to check in with the RPI Rankings for each class before tournament time!
4A
5. Lincoln (Seattle) – Two years ago, the Lynx won the 3A State Championship, and here they are making a lot of noise once again. The only 4A team in the Metro League holds an 8-2 record in league play and is 12-3 overall. Their biggest win of the year came against Bothell in the second game of the season, where they won on the road over the Cougars, who took third place last year at State. Lincoln is on a nine-game win streak and will travel to Ballard on Friday before taking on the defending 3A State Champions in West Seattle at home on Monday. Lincoln will be looking for their third trip to State in the last four seasons, and moving up into 4A this season, have their sights set on a rare accomplishment. Winning two State Championships in three seasons in two different classifications.
4. Richland – The defending State Champs are once again looking like one of the teams to beat in 4A. The traditional baseball powerhouse is sitting at 7-1 in the talented Mid-Columbia Conference and an overall record of 8-3. Richland split the season series against Hanford, who’s a top-ten team, with a win of 5-4 in the first matchup and losing 10-2 in the second. The Bombers are riding a four-game win streak before they face Hermiston in a doubleheader on Friday. Richland and Kamiakin will battle on the 22nd and 29th, which could determine the MCC regular season title. Richland frequently makes trips to State and the Final Four, and despite being six-time State Champions, the Bombers have never won back-to-back titles. After a historic undefeated season last year, Richland will look to make more history in 2025.
3. Jackson – The Timberwolves are undefeated against teams from Washington, and hold an overall record of 10-1. Jackson shut out Mount Vernon, who made the 3A State Championship Game last year, for a 6-0 win. Jackson’s last Final Four appearance was in 2011, when the Timberwolves made the Championship Game. This week has been a busy one for the T-Wolves. They took down Arlington on the road Monday with a 6-2 win, then beat Cascade (Everett) 11-0 before beating Arlington. Jackson will face Glacier Peak on the road Friday and at home on Tuesday.
2. Kamiakin – The Kamiakin Braves are a perfect 11-0 and 8-0 in league play. The high-scoring offense of the Braves has scored in double digits seven times this season. Kamiakin missed State last season after back-to-back appearances and looks to be one of the top seeds in the 4A Tournament. As mentioned above, Kamiakin and Richland will square off twice in April, and possibly again in the District Tournament. The Braves have a doubleheader against Kennewick on the road before their top-five showdown against Richland on Tuesday.
1. Puyallup – When you think of high school baseball in Washington, the Puyallup Vikings are one of the programs that first come to mind. Puyallup has appeared in two of the last three State Championship Games, and the last time they missed State (2007), some of their players weren’t even born. The Vikings last won State in 2017, and this team is as loaded as ever. They defeated Mount Vernon at Funko Field in their first game of the season, and have been rolling through the regular season once again. This week, Puyallup defeated Sumner, 10-5, and Curtis twice. Puyallup will face off against Olympia on Friday and crosstown rivals, Rogers on Tuesday.
3A
5. Mount Vernon – The Bulldogs were State Runners-Up a year ago, and return the Gatorade Player of the Year and future First-Round MLB Draft Pick, Xavier Neyens. Neyens is eighth in the MLB Prospect Rankings, and for good reason. The Oregon State commit leads a potent offense that used their bats to make the title game last season. Mount Vernon is 11-3 overall and 7-1 in a very competitive Northwest Conference. The Bulldogs started 0-2, however, those losses were to Jackson and Puyallup, who are two of the top three teams in the RPI in 4A. Their other loss came to Anacortes, who’s the fifth-ranked team in the 2A RPI. Mount Vernon won against Lynden and Nooksack Valley, both by double digits this week, and will face Meridian at home on Friday before heading to Mount Baker on Tuesday.
4. Stanwood – The Spartans are having one of their best seasons in school history this year. Stanwood has made State only four times and has won just one game in those four appearances. The Spartans are 11-2 overall and 5-0 in Wesco play. Stanwood beat Anacortes 1-0, and nearly beat Jackson at home, but fell 3-1. This week, the Spartans beat Everett on Monday before falling on the road to Mountlake Terrace 4-3. Stanwood hosts Everett tonight before playing Marysville-Getchell on Monday and Wednesday.
3. Kelso – The Kelso Hilanders are looking for their fourth straight trip to the State Tournament and are showcasing great defense during the 2025 campaign. Four of their 11 wins have been shutouts, and in three more of their wins, they’ve allowed only one run. Kelso started the season 1-2 but has won 10 in a row and is 5-0 in GSHL games. Their two losses came to Union and Camas who are in 4A. This week, Kelso plays Evergreen (Vancouver) three times, with the Hilanders winning on Monday and Tuesday before a third matchup tonight. Kelso has three games next week against Mountain View before facing Prairie to close out the regular season.
2. Gig Harbor – The Tides are undefeated and have the most wins of all 3A teams with 14. Their 11 wins in league play would tie the classification for most overall wins, as Gig Harbor is on a roll. The Tides have been in State in each of the last nine tournaments, but in the last three, haven’t won a game in the big dance. Gig Harbor scores runs and scores them in bunches. In five of their last six wins, the Tides have scored double-digit runs and have done that seven total times this year. This week, Gig Harbor beat Mt. Tahoma twice and beat Lakes yesterday. They will travel to play Port Angeles on Saturday before back-to-back games against Central Kitsap.
1. Decatur – The Golden Gators made history on the gridiron this year, with their first trip to State in school history. Decatur could make some recent history, as they haven’t made State since 2015. Decatur’s bats have been so strong, they make the Torpedo bats of the MLB look like toothpicks. The Golden Gators have scored 67 runs in their last five games, and three of those games were 10-0 wins. Their defense is superb as well, as the most runs they’ve allowed in a game is only five. Five of their ten wins have been shutouts and Decatur is perfect overall at 10-0 and in NPSL play, boasting a league record of 8-0. The Golden Gators will take on Peninsula today and Enumclaw in a pair of games early next week. Enumclaw is sitting second in the league standings, so a league title might be on the line on Monday and Tuesday.
2A
5. Anacortes- The Anacortes Seahawks made it to the Final Four in the 2A baseball state tournament last season and took home the 4th place trophy. It was there fifth trophy in program history and their first since 2017. The Seahawks are always battle tested as a member of the Northwest Conference along with other strong teams like Mount Vernon who we talked about up above, along with Lynden, Lynden Christian, and Burlington-Edison. After starting the season 1-4, Anacortes has rattled off nine wins in a row, including wins over Mount Vernon, Lynden Christian, and Burlington-Edison. None of the Seahawks losses were bad losses and their strong pitching and defense always gives them a chance as they have allowed a total of 11 runs during their current winning streak.
4. Columbia River- The defending 2A state champions come in at #4 in the RPI rankings. The Columbia River Rapids sit at 8-2 overall but a perfect 4-0 in Greater St. Helens League play. After graduating 14 players from last season’s championship team, the Rapids reloaded quickly and scheduled themselves pretty tough in nonleague play. Losses to Anacortes and Othello early was a case of iron sharpening iron as they also earned a win over Lynden. Columbia River is comfortable in close games as well as only three of their 10 games have been decided by more than three runs. District 4 has won the last three 2A baseball state titles and Columbia River is looking to do what Tumwater did in 2022 and 2023 and successfully repeat as state champs.
3. W.F. West- Another representative of District 4, the WF West Bearcats started the season scorching hot with a perfect 8-0 record before falling to Bainbridge last Thursday. Now at 10-1, the Bearcats, just like Anacortes and Columbia River, scheduled themselves tough as they won the tournament in Ridgefield that the Seahawks and Rapids played in. Strong pitching and defense and blazing speed has been the catalyst for the Bearcats who have allowed just 22 runs so far this season with nine of those coming in a single game with Anacortes. WF West has a huge game on Friday at home against Tumwater, but the pitching depth have the Bearcats as a legitimate title contender in 2025.
2. East Valley (Yakima)- A young team with only three seniors on their roster, look to get their school to the state tournament for the first time since 2015. The East Valley Red Devils currently stand at 12-1 on the season and 9-1 in a loaded CWAC. Their only loss came to Othello who sits just outside the top five. East Valley still has a chance to move up in the RPI as they have a doubleheader on Saturday against Selah in the biggest games of the weekend. The Red Devils haven’t played many close games with only two being decided by three or fewer runs. Normally there would be some hesitation in buying in on a young team, but with East Valley playing a handful of Final Four caliber teams, the Red Devils have shown that they belong in the 2A classification title talks.
1. Selah- One of the premier 2A baseball programs, the Selah Vikings lead the RPI in mid-April. The Vikings remain undefeated at 12-0 and 8-0 in the loaded CWAC. After missing the Final Four with a close loss to Anacortes last season, Selah looks to have entered 2025 with a chip on their shoulders as the Vikings have rolled so far in this season. Selah has outscored their opponents 111-20 thru 12 games and have recorded four shutouts this season and four games where they only allowed a single run. With a healthy mix of seniors, juniors, and even sophomores, it seems like this Selah program could be back to their title winning ways. With tough games against East Valley, Othello, and Prosser still on the schedule, the Vikings have the opportunity to really solidify their standing as the #1 team in 2A.
1A
5. Bellevue Christian- The #1 seed in last season’s 1A state tournament, the Bellevue Christian Vikings baseball team is trying to replicate what their girls basketball team did and that is win a state title. After being upset in regionals in 2024, the Vikings began 2025 with five consecutive wins before tasting defeat against Klahowya. The Nisqually League took home the state title in both 2022 when Bellevue Christian won it and in 2023 when Klahowya claimed the crown. Now the Vikings are just ahead of Klahowya RPI wise, but sit behind the Eagles in the league standings. Add in Charles Wright Academy and the Nisqually League will be must see TV down the stretch in the regular season.
4. Seton Catholic- After making the state tournament last season for the first time in program history, the Seton Catholic Cougars are looking to take another step forward and make the Final Four for the first time in 2025. A 10-1 record and 6-1 in league play, there remains work to be done for the Cougars with King’s Way Christian still on the schedule which could decide the Trico 1A league champions. With a bulk of multi-sport athletes on the roster, the Cougars know how to win and know how to score. Five times this season Seton Catholic has scored double digit runs and twice they have broke 20. Last season’s #3 seed has unfinished business but are not focused on the postseason with tough league games ahead.
3. Overlake/Bear Creek- The feel-good story of the spring season in 2024, the defending state champions Overlake/Bear Creek look better than ever this season in their quest to repeat. Only graduating three seniors from last season’s Cinderella Story team, the Growls have crushed their way to an 11-2 start with their losses coming to King’s and Tenino. OBC stunned #1 Bellevue Christian last season to get to the Final Four before walk off wins over Tenino and Meridian. The Growls return tremendous pitching, including ace Max Bieber. With so much returning talent, OBC looks poised for the Final Four yet again but a couple of huge league games against Cedar Park Christian on April 28th and 30th will be the focus of the Growls down the home stretch of the season.
2. Montesano- We have an interesting top two in the 1A classification with both teams in the Evergreen 1A conference. First, the Montesano Bulldogs missed last season’s state tournament in a stacked District 4. After taking 4th in the 2023 tournament, Montesano was just as good last year but the rest of the district caught up. Now in what was supposed to be a down year has turned into a year where the Bulldogs could take home the title. With a 10-1 record that includes a win over Tenino and a loss to Overlake/Bear Creek, Montesano has taken some people by surprise but do all the little things right to win close games which they have played many of as of late. Two more games against Tenino this week will settle things in both the EvCo 1A and RPI rankings with the Bulldogs also playing Bellevue Christian on May 2nd.
1. Tenino- Taking home third place in last season’s state tournament, the Tenino Beavers rolled the dice and saved their ace last year for championship Saturday. Jack Burkhardt got the start in the semifinal game and he was brilliant but the offense struggled in that game. Now, he is the ace of the staff and the offense has not struggled one bit in 2025. Their only loss came to Montesano and the 10-1 Beavers have scored a total of 110 runs this season with their low for a game being four. Looking for their first state title since 1986, the Beavers first have to navigate through the tough district and a couple more games against Montesano to try to solidify their spot as the team to beat in the 1A classification. Also of note, the team’s Stone City uniforms are in the conversation for best uniform in the state.
2B
5. Jenkins (Chewelah)- In at #5 for 2B are the Jenkins Cougars. Despite being just at #5, the Cougars are undefeated at 11-0 on the season and the offense is EXPLOSIVE. Jenkins is averaging just under 14 runs per game and put up 30 in a game earlier this season. They have had to grind out a couple of close wins, beating Liberty Bell 2-0 and 3-1. Their toughest three games of the season are coming up with three games against Northwest Christian (Colbert) who are also in the RPI top 5. However, if the bats continue to slug like they have been, Jenkins could very well win their first state title in program history.
4. Ilwaco- Ilwaco have not gotten the opportunity to take the field too often in 2025 but they have won all seven of their ballgames so far this season. Pitching is the story for the Fishermen this season as they have only allowed nine runs in their seven games. There are some opportunities coming up for Ilwaco to help their RPI with a couple of games against Forks as well as a showdown with Adna. The biggest victims of the phenomenal run by Toutle Lake, the Fishermen are now looking to reach the Final Four for the first time ever. A tough district tournament still awaits but a great mix of youth and experience makes Ilwaco a tricky puzzle to solve.
3. Northwest Christian (Colbert)- Going back to the Northeast 2B League, the Northwest Christian Crusaders have fallen victim to the out of state intricacies of the RPI system. NW Christian went 1-1 against out of state teams but are 9-1 against teams from Washington. The only loss came to Newport and the Crusaders will not play either Freeman or Colfax in league play. They will get a crack at Jenkins which will shake up the top 5 regardless of the outcome. One of only two teams currently in the top 5 that made the state tournament this season, NW Christian is another team that we will learn a lot about down the stretch and into district tournaments when they get an opportunity against tough teams.
2. Freeman- After spending some time in the 1A classification, the Freeman Scotties are back at 2B and are off to a 13-1 start this season. The Scotties made the 1A state tournament last season and only graduated three players from that team. Pitching seemed to be a question mark coming into the season, but the Freeman offense has made that less of an issue with their 14 runs per game allowing them to figure some things out on the mound. Their only loss was a 4-2 defeat to Asotin and with three games left against Colfax we could see Freeman be #1 in the RPI before the season ends. The Scotties are looking for their first 2B state title although they wont he 1A title back in 2018.
1. Kittitas- At the top of the mountain are the Kittitas Coyotes and their 10-1 record. Kittitas just suffered their first loss of the season on Tuesday against River View in a nonleague matchup. Now the Coyotes will face adversity for the first time this season but head coach Eric Sorenson will have his very young team ready to bounce back against Cle Elum on Saturday. Kittitas won the 2B state title in 1988 but have won just one state game since 2000. The games against Cle Elum this week will likely decide the EWAC West as well as deciding if the Coyotes hold on to the top RPI spot down the stretch of the season.
1B
5. Naselle – The Comets are 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the Columbia Valley League. They’ve won back-to-back games over PWV and Ocosta. Naselle has been in the Final Four in all three tournaments this decade, winning the title in 2022 and 2023. Naselle will take on Oakville in a doubleheader on Friday before hosting Wahkiakum on Tuesday.
4. DeSales – The Irish are the defending State Champions and have a record of 8-2. Their two losses came to Montesano who’s a 1A school. In seven of their eight wins, the Irish have scored double-digit runs. DeSales is coming off of a pair of wins against Royal, who’s also a 1A school. The Irish will play Liberty Christian (Richland) on Saturday in a doubleheader before taking on Asotin for a doubleheader next week.
3. Almira-Coulee-Hartline – The Warriors are looking for another berth in the State Championship Game this year, and are off to a scalding hot start. Almira-Coulee-Hartline has scored eight or more runs in every game this year and has scored double-digit runs in every game but their first game. The Warriors are 9-0 this season and 4-0 in league play. The Warriors play Lakeside (9 Mile) today and will play Wilbur-Creston-Keller on Saturday.
2. Quilcene – The Rangers are 5-0 this season and 4-0 in the Sea-Tac League. Quilcene hasn’t made State since 2019 and hasn’t won a State Tournament game in their last three State appearances. The defense for the Rangers has helped them stay undefeated, only allowing 14 runs in their five games. Quilcene will face Muckleshoot Tribal School on Friday and Crosspoint Christian on Saturday.
1. Liberty Christian (Richland) – The Patriots have back-to-back third-place finishes but are having a great start to the year. Liberty Christian is 8-0 overall and 4-0 in league action. The Patriots have scored 120 runs in their eight games, and in five of eight games have allowed one run or less. On Tuesday, they defeated Riverside Christian in a doubleheader and will play DeSales at home in a doubleheader in a top five battle.
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