Huntington Beach moves up to No. 2 in the Orange County high school baseball rankings after a narrow 3-2 win over Santa Margarita in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs. Orange Lutheran maintains the top spot despite a 4-2 semifinal loss to Harvard-Westlake. Fountain Valley rises into the Top 10, while Beckman advances to No. 18 after reaching the Division 3 final.

By the Numbers
  • Orange Lutheran: 25-6, previous ranking: 1
  • Huntington Beach: 23-9, previous ranking: 3
  • Santa Margarita: 22-9-1, previous ranking: 2
  • Beckman: 24-6-1, previous ranking: 25
Yes, But

While Huntington Beach's victory vaulted them to No. 2, they subsequently lost 3-1 to Corona in the semifinals, highlighting the competitive nature of the rankings. Santa Margarita, despite their drop, still shows strong performance in the playoffs.

State of Play
  • Orange Lutheran holds No. 1 even after losing in semifinals.
  • Teams like Fountain Valley and Beckman are making significant climbs.
What's Next

As the season progresses into final matchups, expect continued shifts in rankings, especially with upcoming championship games having the potential to redefine top positions.

Bottom Line

The top tier of Orange County baseball remains fiercely competitive, with key playoff performances driving significant changes in the rankings. Future matchups will be crucial in determining the ultimate standings.