We are reaching the end of the high school baseball season.
The AHSAA state playoffs for Classes 1A-6A begin this weekend, while the first round for Class 7A starts next weekend (April 26-27). The AISA state playoffs also begin this weekend.
Each week over the course of the season, The Tuscaloosa News has ranked the top baseball teams in the Tuscaloosa area, regardless of classification. Here are the final rankings of the top-5 teams in the Tuscaloosa area for the week of April 17.
1. Bibb County (26-3)
Why: Despite dropping its final regular season game to Shelby County, 10-1, the Choctaws picked up two wins last week over Hale County (6-2) and Marbury (17-6). They host T.R. Miller, the runner-up in 4A-Area 2, in the first round of playoffs this weekend and are led by Matthew Cash with a .512 batting average and 24 RBIs.
Last week: Ranked No. 1
2. Northridge (17-8)
Why: The Jaguars are currently undefeated in the month of April and finish the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. They won their consecutive 6A-Area 6 regular season title and host Saraland for a first-round playoff series this weekend. Thomas Woolf leads the Northridge offense, batting .448 on the season with 16 RBIs.
Last week: Ranked No. 2
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3. Hillcrest (22-10)
Why: The Patriots also are undefeated in the month April and are riding a 10-game winning streak into their first-round playoff series this weekend, where they will travel to Mobile to take on Faith Academy. Sophomore Kahden Smith has a team-high batting average, hitting .360 on the season to go with 24 RBIs.
Last week: Ranked No. 4
4. Gordo (19-8)
Why: The Green Wave have won their last 10 games and have not lost a game since March 27. They won the 3A-Area 9 title for the third-straight season and host Vinemont in an opening-round playoff series this weekend. Landon Fikes leads the Gordo offense batting .363 on the season to go with 28 RBIs.
Last week: Ranked No. 3
5. Tuscaloosa County (17-15)
Why: The Wildcats still have a regular season area series against Vestavia Hills coming up, as the first round of playoffs for Class 7A does not start until next weekend. Last week, they split two games with Thompson, the No. 3 team in Class 7A, winning the first game 5-4 before dropping the second 6-5. The Wildcats close out regular season play on Saturday, hosting Thompson.
Last week: Not ranked
Other teams for consideration: American Christian Academy, Northside, Demopolis, Tuscaloosa Academy, South Lamar, Fayette County, Winfield
Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama softball and football recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2
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