Class C rankings: Top spots flip-flop and new teams hit top 10

By Nick Gerhardt
nickgerhardt@mnbaseball.org

League playoffs are getting started across the state and we’ve seen a lot of jostling for the top spot in leagues.

Buffalo defeated Hutchinson 7-4 Tuesday to pull into a tie atop the North Star League with the Huskies. Over in the Crow River Valley League, Young America has pulled away in the South Division to clinch the division title. The Cardinals picked up a thrilling 8-7 walk-off win Saturday over North Division foe Waconia. The Lakers continue to tangle with Watertown for the top spot in the North Division. Up in the Victory League, Nisswa knocked off rival Buckman, in what has become one of the best rivalries in the state.

Our rankings, likewise, have teams battling for positions and we saw a lot of movement in this round. Jordan supplanted Buckman for the top spot, earning two first-place votes and a pair of second-place votes. The Billygoats didn’t go far and claimed the No. 2 position in this poll.

Our pollsters felt comfortable with Bird Island at No. 3 and kept the Bullfrogs there once again. New Ulm’s run through the Tomahawk East gained attention to allow the Brewers to jump two spots to No. 6.

Watertown checked in at No. 5 following a big loss to Young America, who leapt to share the No. 5 slot after claiming the No. 8 ranking last time.

Following Nisswa’s win over Buckman, the Lightning moved up to No. 7 from No. 10 in the previous poll. Hutchinson entered the rankings at No. 8 and has another battle with Buffalo coming up to possibly decide the North Star League title.

Waconia entered the top 10 at No. 9 while we saw a logjam for the final spot with Buffalo, St. Martin and Webster each claiming a share.

Chad Knutson — Heron Lake Lakers

1. Jordan Brewers
2. Buckman Billygoats
3. Watertown Red Devils
4. New Ulm Brewers
5. Bird Island Bullfrogs
6. Hutchinson Huskies
7. Young America Cardinals
8. Luverne Redbirds
9. St. Martin Martins
10. Webster Sox

Honorable Mention
Waconia Lakers. Buffalo Bulldogs, Avon Lakers, Delano Athletics, Bemidji Blue Ox, Raymond Rockets, Nisswa Lightning, New Prague Orioles, Leavenworth Orioles, Isanti Redbirds, Courtland Cubs, Waterville Indians, Jackson Bulls, Red Wing Aces, Kimball Express

Tom Elliott — West Central Tribune

1. Nisswa Lightning — Nisswa has ended up with the top seed in its league playoffs over Buckman, so let’s switch these two Victory League powers.
2. Jordan Brewers — Jordan’s unbeaten in the River Valley League and looking like a state title contender again.
3. Bird Island Bullfrogs — Bird Island and Raymond have been the top two teams in the Corn Belt League all season. Who’s better, at least for now, gets answered Friday night when the two teams play in Raymond.
4. Hutchinson Huskies — Everything seems to have come together for the Huskies this summer. They lead the ever-competitive North Star League.
5. Watertown Red Devils — These guys always seem to be in the conversation when it comes to teams to watch in the state tournament.
6. New Ulm Brewers — New Ulm has emerged as the best team in the Tomahawk League once again.
7. Buckman Billygoats — These Billygoats are one of the best teams in the state and they play in a league that includes some other state tournament contenders like Avon, St. Stephen and Foley, among others.
8. Raymond Rockets — This is a team mixed with veteran talent, including a core still around from the 2016 state championship squad, and some really fine young talent.
9. St. Martin Martins — St. Martin made a decent state run last year and has had the best season in the Stearns County League so far.
10. Kimball Express — Everybody has beaten everybody else for the most part in the Central Valley League this season, demonstrating the true balance of the league. Watkins, Luxemburg and the Cold Spring Rockies are all really good clubs as well.

Aaron Worm — Mankato

1. Buckman Billygoats — Suffered first loss of the season to Nisswa, but still hold on to the top spot.
2. Jordan Brewers — 20-2, loss to Delano and Class B Victoria, but did pick up an impressive 7-0 win over Bird Island.
3. Nisswa Lighting — Big win against Buckman, they hold steady for me in the third spot.
4. Young America Cardinals — Flying up my rankings with the top record in the Crow.
5. Watertown Red Devils — Speaking of the Crow, the leaders of the North Division.
6. Bird Island Bullfrogs — Stay steady at No. 6 for me, did lose to a good Jordan team.
7. New Ulm Brewers — 19-2 overall, beat St James 21-0 on Sunday.
8. Hutchinson Huskies — 11-2 in the North Star League including win over Delano.
9. Delano Athletics — Still a strong 10-3 in the North Star League.
10. New Prague Orioles — Leaders of the DRS at 13-3.

Kip Kovar — Herald Journal

1. Jordan Brewers — At 20-2 on the season, Jordan is playing well once again, which is no surprise. I think they are on the same path as Delano was last year, being one of the favorites to win it all in their home ballpark.
2. Young America Cardinals — All the Cardinals have done is win 18 straight games in the Crow River Valley League. That’s impressive. Young America is coming off back-to-back wins over Plato and Waconia this year. The Cardinals also blew out Watertown early this season. Defense has struggled recently in big spots though and that’s something the Cardinals will need to clean up if they are serious about making a run at a state title.
3. Bird Island Bullfrogs — The Bullfrogs are at the top of the Corn Belt League and have been steady all year long. A big matchup with Raymond awaits them in a league showdown.
4. Buckman Billygoats — No shocker. They are still good and I look forward to seeing them in the state tournament once again if they make it.
5. Waconia Lakers — Dropped a tough one against Young America but are still a legit state title contender. John Bezdicek will become a household name for the Lakers if Waconia can get through a grueling Region 7C tournament.
6. New Ulm Brewers — The top team in the Tomahawk East League again. The Brewers are in line for another fun postseason out of Region 2C.
7. Buffalo Bulldogs — Probably one of the most underrated teams in the state right now. The Bulldogs are for real and should be getting a lot more attention. Sit atop the North Star League Standings heading into the final week.
8. Webster Sox — Don’t forget about these guys. A young and talented group looking to make a name for themselves again.
9. Hutchinson Huskies — The Huskies are rolling and right there along with Buffalo in the NSL standings. A veteran group who knows how to win in a deep Region 12C.
10. Delano Athletics — It’s been an up-and-down season for the A’s so far but they are still a force to be reckoned with. Still looking to compete for the NSL regular season title and No. 1 seed in Region 12C, the talent is too good on this team not to be ready to make another deep postseason run.

Class C rankings (as of July 17)(Pts)(Previous)

1. Jordan Brewers (38)(2)
2. Buckman Billygoats (30)(1)
3. Bird Island Bullfrogs (27)(T3)
4. New Ulm Brewers (21)(T6)
5. Watertown Red Devils (20)(T3)
6. Young America Cardinals (20)(8)
7. Nisswa Lightning (18)(10)
8. Hutchinson Huskies (17)(NR)
9. Waconia Lakers (6)(NR)
10. Buffalo Bulldogs (4)(NR)
11. St. Martin Martins (4)(9)
12. Webster Sox (4)(T6)

Also receiving votes: Luverne Redbirds, Raymond Rockets, Delano Athletics, Kimball Express, New Prague Orioles, Avon Lakers, Bemidji Blue Ox, Leavenworth Orioles, Isanti Redbirds, Courtland Cubs, Waterville Indians, Jackson Bulls and Red Wing Aces.