Photo Credit: Alyssa Gervacio

By CCL Reporters Sean Brennan, Sam Nute and Dylan Wickman

Week 5 marks the halfway point of the CCL Season as the 2023 CCL Showcase Game takes place on Wednesday. Each team is carefully ranked based on their overall record, week record, strength of schedule, and recent trends. Read below to find out where each team ranks before the CCL takes a break in week 6.

#1 Healdsburg Prune Packers (⬆1)

League Record: 21-3

League Record This Week: 5-0

Overall Record: 29-3

Overall Record This Week: 6-0

The Prune Packers have returned to the number one spot in the Power Rankings following a brief stint at No. 2 last week. Healdsburg's movement in the rankings followed a series loss against the Crawdads, but since then have rattled off nine straight wins including a win over the Crawdads earlier this week. The Packers began the week with a win over the CCL affiliate, Bay Area Admirals, before finishing the week with a series sweep over the Stompers. 

Over their six games this week the Packers scored a whopping 61 runs with the offense leading the way in each win. Having his best week of the season by far was utility player Peyton Schulze (Cal). Over five games this week Schulze went 12-for-20 with 10 RBI on two home runs and two doubles, scoring eight runs. Mirroring Schulze’s production is two-way player Connor Charpiot (Long Beach State) who finished the week going 8-for-17 with six rbi on one homer and one double. 

On the bump, Charpiot’s college teammate LHP Myles Patton (Long Beach State) was dominant all week. In two outings, Patton got the win in both games, throwing 7.0 shutout innings allowing just four hits and striking out a massive 14 batters. So far this year, Patton has a 1.77 ERA while striking out 36 batters in 20.1 innings pitched. 

Next week the Packers will play one game against the Stompers on Monday before taking the week off for the 2023 CCL Showcase Game break. 

#2 Walnut Creek Crawdads (⬇1)

League Record: 14-5

League Record This Week: 2-1

Overall Record: 22-5-1

Overall Record This Week: 4-1

The only blemish on the Crawdads’ record this week is a loss to the Prune Packers, which forces a small slide to No. 2 in the Power Rankings this week. Besides the loss the Dads’ continue to be one of the hottest teams in the CCL and are 20-2 over their last 22 games. This week they swept a two game set against the Mudcats as well as winning two Non-League games. 

This week the Crawdads’ were having a quiet week on offense until Sunday where they exploded for 24 runs in a win over the Mudcats. Leading the way was shortstop Matt King (Texas San Antonio) who went 5-for-5 with triple and double as well as 3 RBI. Second baseman Ryan Ellis (St. Mary’s) continued to rake going, 2-for-5 with a double and six RBI.

On the mound, RHP Austin Berggren (Nebraska) continued to be one of the Crawdads’ most trusted arms out of the pen this year. In two outings this week, Berggreen threw 3.0 innings pitched while striking out five and allowing just two hits. Berggren got off to a rough start to the year but over his last five outings he has not allowed a single earned run. 

Next week the Crawdads’ will take on the Mudcats before the 2023 CCL Showcase break, and then they close the week out with a three game set against the Potters.

#3 Santa Barbara Foresters (--)

League Record: 15-5

League Record This Week: 5-1

Overall Record: 18-5

Overall Record This Week: 5-1

At the end of Week 5, the Saints Barbara Foresters once again find themselves atop the CCL South Division and at No. 3 in the latest Power Rankings thanks to a 5-1 mark this week. After going 2-1 against the Blues, Santa Barbara used an offensive outburst to win a three-game series with the Barons, plating a staggering 35 runs during that stretch.

While numerous bats contributed to the Foresters’ mammoth offensive showing this week, the most consistent catalyst has undoubtedly been outfielder Max Belyeu (Texas) – the Week 4 CCL South Hitter of the Week – who totaled nine hits this week with a double, two homers, and five RBI in 20 at-bats. Infielder Eamonn Lance (Arizona State) came alive in two games against the Barons, going 4-for-6 while contributing three homers, two doubles, four walks and nine RBI.

Much like its hitting, Santa Barbara’s staff also put up big performances during Week 5. Save for an earned run allowed in the fifth, right-hander Robert Cranz (Oklahoma State) was dominant in a 5.0-inning start on Tuesday, maintaining a sub-one WHIP and putting down nine batters by way of the strikeout. Righty Zane Petty (Texas Tech) enjoyed a quality start of his own two nights later, as he conceded five hits and an earned run while fanning ten in 6.0 frames.

Next week, the ‘Sters will have a one-off with the Blues followed by a pair of two-game sets against the Barons and Riptide.

#4 Orange County Riptide (⬆1)

League Record: 15-7

League Record This Week: 5-1

Overall Record: 16-8

Overall Record This Week: 5-1

After dropping their first game against the Academy Barons to start the week, the Riptide were dominant, winning their next two to win the series before sweeping the Arroyo Seco Saints in three games.

Orange County’s offense was booming this week as they averaged almost eight runs per game in their contests. Its most impressive performance came in game 2 against the Barons when it scored 11 runs in one inning alone.

Outfielder Reese Chapman (Tennessee) was on fire this week, tallying two hits and a double in three out of four games he played this week while batting .429. Shortstop Nolan Funke (New Mexico State) was not too shabby himself, going 6-for-16 with two doubles and a homer. Fellow shortstop Daniel Garate (Oregon) made the most out of his at-bats this week, going 5-for-8 with a triple, four RBI and four walks. 

Orange County held their opponent to less than one run in three games this week and had some standout performances in the process. RHP Josh Randall (San Diego) got the start in the final game against the Barons, surrendering just two hits and one earned run while totaling six strikeouts while RHP Jack Kirrer (Cal Berkeley) was clutch in the 1-0 win against the Saints, sporting a WHIP of 0.82 thanks to six K’s and zero base hits. 

The Riptide will have two games apiece against the Conejo Oaks and the Santa Barbara Foresters next week. 

#5 Conejo Oaks (⬆2)

League Record: 9-13

League Record This Week: 2-3

Overall Record: 10-13

Overall Record This Week: 2-3

For the second consecutive week, the Conejo Oaks posted a 2-3 record, splitting a home-and-home with the Saints before dropping two of three to the Blues.

Outfielder Christopher Wright (Sonoma State) showcased his consistency and power at the plate this week, hitting .333 with two homers and four RBI. Fellow outfielder Austin Carrillo (Biola) was also a dependable bat all week long, as he went 7-for-20 while contributing a double, three walks and four RBI.

Playing in his seventh contest of an eight-game personal hitting streak on Friday in San Luis Obispo, outfielder McCabe Moyer (Oregon) put together one of his best performances of the summer, going 3-for-6 with a double and four RBI in an Oaks victory.

On the mound, right-hander Cole Fisher (Millersville) had his longest start of the season on, going 6.0 innings and finishing with an earned run, eight baserunners and six strikeouts to his name. In game 2 against the Saints, righty Charlie Adamson (Undecided) enjoyed a strong relief appearance that saw him concede two hits and a walk while earning a strikeout in 3.0 frames.

The Oaks will have a relatively light Week 6, as they are slated to face the Riptide and Saints for two games each.

#6 Arroyo Seco Saints (⬇2)

League Record: 11-11

League Record This Week: 1-4

Overall Record: 12-11

Overall Record This Week: 1-4

The Arroyo Seco Saints seem to have cooled off from their scorching stretch in late June and early July that saw them win eight of ten, posting a 1-4 mark this week. After going 1-1 against the Oaks, the Saints dropped two of three to the Riptide to round out Week 5. However, Arroyo Seco certainly played the ‘Tide better than the 1-2 record would indicate – two of their losses were one-score games.

Since his season debut on Jun. 24, infielder Raider Tello (Iowa) has recorded a knock in every game he’s played in – logging five multi-hit outings during that stretch. Tello increased this hitting streak to nine contests this week, going 5-for-13 while contributing a double and driving in two runs. Outfielder Connor Bradshaw (Pepperdine) hit the ground running during his first week of the season, as he posted six knocks, a double, two walks and seven RBI in 19 at-bats.

Right-hander Caleb Reyes (Cal Poly Pomona) got the nod on Saturday against the Riptide and proved lights-out, allowing just two hits while retiring six via the strikeout in 5.0 scoreless innings. Entering Thursday’s game in the fourth with his team down 3-0 to the Oaks, righty Calvin Bickerstaff (Kent State) proved crucial in keeping the Saints within striking distance through the following 4.0 innings. Bickerstaff conceded four hits and struck out three to prevent Conejo from increasing its lead.

Arroyo Seco is slated to play four games – two against the Blues and two against the Oaks – in its sixth week of the season.

#7 Lincoln Potters (⬇1)

League Record: 10-10

League Record This Week: 1-1

Overall Record: 22-15

Overall Record This Week: 2-3

The Potters stayed at .500 in league play this week after splitting two games against the CCL Affiliate Bay Area Admirals before going 1-2 in non-league play. 

Center fielder Nolan McCarty had a valiant effort in game 1, going 2-for-5 with a home run and six RBI, but Lincoln still lost by one run. The Potters responded explosively the next time out however, putting up 22 runs to the Admirals zero. Six different batters put up at least two hits in the game while the team totaled five home runs. Third baseman Reuben Church (Kentucky) and outfielder Tyler Gerety (Kansas) each accounted for two each to accrue nine RBI while second baseman Patrick Herrera (Kentucky) had a solo home run. 

The Potter’s pitchers were just as dominant on the other side of the ball in the win, shutting out the Admirals and only conceding three hits. RHP Cooper Robinson led the way by striking out six batters out in as many innings, only giving up two hits. Robinson has now accumulated 13 strikeouts over his last 11.0 innings. 

Next week, the Potters will take on the red-hot Walnut Creek Crawdads for a three-game series.

#8 San Luis Obispo Blues (--)

League Record: 8-10

League Record This Week: 3-3

Overall Record: 15-14

Overall Record This Week: 3-3

The Blues started by losing two out of three against the Santa Barbara Foresters before going 2-1 against the Conejo Oaks to go .500 for the week.

San Luis Obispo’s pitching staff was reliable once again this week, holding opponents to under three runs in five of their six games. RHP Matthew Gonzales (University Colorado Colorado Springs) was clinical on the mound across two games. In 9.0 innings, he struck out 11 batters while only giving up six hits and a run. Fellow righties Fisher Johnson (USC), AJ Moreno (Cal Poly Ponoma), and Kaden Tynes (Cuesta College) were also solid in their showings this week, each throwing six or more strikeouts and giving up one run or less

The Blues offense started slow this week but got things going as the games went on. Shortstop Theo Hardy (San Jose State) had a special outing in game 3 against the Oaks, going 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and three RBI. He ended the week with seven hits and four walks, both team-highs. Fellow Spartan and center fielder Jeriah Lewis recorded a hit in four consecutive games this week, capping it off with a grand slam, also in game 3 against Conejo.

The Blues will start next week with another game against the Foresters before having a pair of two-game series against the Arroyo Seco Saints and the Academy Barons.

#9 Sonoma Stompers (--)

League Record: 7-14

League Record This Week: 0-3

Overall Record: 16-16

Overall Record This Week: 2-3

The Stompers did not have a fortunate schedule this week as they had three games against the No.1 ranked Healdsburg Prune Packers after they just had three games against them last week. Although they were close to escaping game 1 with an extra-inning win, they couldn't prevail and were subsequently swept in the series.

Shortstop Jose Ruiz (UC Santa Barbara) did everything he could in that game for Sonoma, hitting 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and a home run to give him three RBI. Outfielder Jag Burden (Cal Berkeley) had two hits himself in that game and ended the series going 5-for-15 with a double. 

The Stomper’s pitching staff had its work cut out for it going against the Packer’s juggernaut of an offense. RHP Chase Meitner (USD) found the most success when he pitched in game 2. He limited Healdsburg to six hits and two earned runs in 5.0 innings while tallying three strikeouts. RHP Nicholas Rodriguez had a couple solid relief showings this week, shutting out Healdsburg in the 3.0 innings he threw. 

The Stompers will face the Packers for a whopping seventh straight time to start next week before having three games against the Solano Mudcats and two against the Academy Barons.

#10 MLB Youth Academy Barons (⬆1)

League Record: 4-16

League Record This Week: 1-4

Overall Record: 4-16

Overall Record This Week: 1-4

Week 5 was a tough one for the MLB Youth Academy Barons. After kicking things off with a win against the Riptide, the Barons would drop the next contest to Orange County before suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of the Foresters.

Despite the team’s struggles, multiple Barons’ hitters impressed this week. Leading the way at the plate was infielder Dylan Lina (Golden West College), who has been his team’s most consistent and productive bat all season long. Lina went 8-for-19 with three doubles and two RBI, maintaining a top-two batting average (.387) in the CCL South Division. Infielder Kamau Neighbors (Cal State Northridge) also found success during Week 5, hitting .333 and drawing a walk in 15 at-bats.

Right-hander Carson Hamro (Undecided) enjoyed his best relief appearance of the season on Thursday against the Riptide, striking out two and issuing a single walk in 3.0 innings. Southpaw reliever Charles Acker (East Los Angeles JC) was also solid over two outings this week, as he allowed a lone walk in 2.1 combined shutout innings.

Next week, the Barons will have two chances to get their revenge on the Foresters before playing a two-game set against the Blues.

#11 Solano Mudcats (⬇1)

League Record: 4-17

League Record This Week: 0-2

Overall Record: 5-21

Overall Record This Week: 0-4 

The struggles have continued for the Mudcats in to Week 5 of the CCL Season. This week the Mudcats lost a heartbreaker in game one against the Crawdads before losing convincingly in game two. 

Despite the loss in game one, the Mudcats got an excellent outing from LHP Karon Casey (Contra Costa College). Across six innings of work, the Vallejo, California native held the dangerous Crawdads’ offense to just one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out three. Over his last three outings, Casey has thrown 11 innings while giving up just three earned runs and eight hits. 

At the plate, infielder Tyler Tobey continued his great season for the Mudcats going 6-for-13 with a double and a home run, striking out only one time. So far this season, Tobey is leading the team among qualified hitters with a .347 average.

Next week, the Mudcats will start the week with a one-off against the Crawdads, and then they will play a three-game series against the Stompers after the CCL Showcase Game break.

Full List:

1. Healdsburg Prune Packers: (League Record: 21-3, League Record This Week: 5-0, Overall Record: 29-3, Overall Record This Week: 6-0)
2. Walnut Creek Crawdads: (League Record: 14-5, League Record This Week: 2-1, Overall Record: 22-5-1, Overall Record This Week: 4-1)
3. Santa Barbara Foresters: (League Record: 14-5; Overall Record: 17-5; League Record This Week: 4-1; Overall Record This Week: 4-1)
4. Orange County Riptide: (League Record: 15-7, Overall Record: 16-8, League Record This Week: 5-1, Overall Record This Week: 5-1)
5. Arroyo Seco Saints: (League Record 11-10; Overall Record: 12-10; League Record This Week: 1-3; Overall Record This Week: 1-3)
6. Lincoln Potters: (League Record: 10-10, Overall Record: 20-12, League Record This Week: 1-1, Overall Record This Week: 3-2)
7. Conejo Oaks: (League Record: 9-12; Overall Record: 10-12; League Record This Week: 2-2; Overall Record This Week: 2-2)
8. San Luis Obispo Blues: (League Record: 8-10,  Overall Record: 15-14, League Record This Week: 3-3, Overall Record This Week: 3-3)
9. Sonoma Stompers: (League Record: 7-14,  Overall Record: 16-16, League Record This Week: 0-3, Overall Record This Week: 2-3)
10. Academy Barons: (League Record: 4-15; Overall Record: 4-15; League Record This Week: 1-3; Overall Record This Week: 1-3)
11. Solano Mudcats: (League Record: 4-17, League Record This Week: 0-2, Overall Record: 5-21, Overall Record This Week: 0-4)