5/13/11: WEEK 5 - WHO'S HOT?

WHO'S HOT? Heading into Week 5 #1 - Springfield Indians The Indians (3-0) jump up 4 spots in the rankings as they remain the only undefeated team in the MVABL. The Indians are running on all cylinders so far this season, offensively and on the mound, and they capitalized on several Slammers erros to win 14-2 on Sunday, May 8. The Tribe have 9 players batting over .400 and Matt Spradlin is off to a 2-0 start and is the only pitcher in the league with multiple wins. The only other time the Indians have started the season 3-0 was in 2007. The Indians get another good test in the Camden Redlegs this week at Northwestern H.S. #2 - SD Slammers The Slammers fall out of the top spot for the first time in 3 weeks. The reason the Slammers don't take a big dive in the rankings is because the voters are merely guessing that their first inning collapse on Sunday was just an aberration. It's tough to overcome an 11-run, 6-error frame, but the Slammers did battle the Indians over the remaining 6 innings. The Slammers will take on a Cardinals club hungry to get back on the winning track again, after the Birds fell 14-7 to the Redlegs last weekend. #3 - Kettering Royals The Royals (3-1) remain in the 3-hole for this week after a disappointing loss to Mother Nature last weekend. The Boys in Blue look to put on their Rain Dance gear this Sunday as they are lined up for a twinbill against the Dayton Tigers at Miami University of Middletown's home field in Monroe. #4 - Dayton Blue Jays The Blue Jays (2-2) make their first appearance in the Who's Hot list. After a slow start to the season, the Jays have bounced back with wins over the Athletics and Rangers in the last two weeks. TJ Lee and Will Howard anchor the pitching staff and Brian Bay is tearing it up at the plate, in center field, and on the basepaths. The Jays get the early wake-up call on Sunday out at AIA to battle the Warren County Shockers who have won two straight as well, after a pair of tough losses to start the season. #5 - Dayton Rangers The Rangers (3-1) slip to No. 5 this week after a disappointing loss to the Dayton Blue Jays. The Jays seem to have an answer to everything starter Shawn Schmitt was hurling to the plate, and Jays starter Will Howard did his best to slow down the Rangers' bats. The Rangers' defense needs to improve this weekend as they play their second DH of the season, and first against the Fairborn Post 526 Athletics. The Rangers will be without head coach Jonmarc Lippincott for game 1 for the first time since 1998, as he attends to some T-ball managerial duties.