There was a time when Grand Rapids Christian was a fixture at the top.
And the Eagles are in the process of reminding everybody that they’ve never really gone away.
Last year’s state runner-up is now the newest No. 1-ranked team in the state for Division 2, ascending to the fore in the latest Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association poll. Grand Rapids Christian was a fixture atop the rankings while reaching three straight state finals and winning it all in 2012 and 2013.
Now it looks like the team to beat once again as they join Northville, Algonac and East Jordan among the No. 1-ranked squads. Here’s a closer look at the MHSBCA poll for May 17, 2023.
D1: SEAHOLM SOARS INTO TOP 10
There’s a fast-rising team in the D1 rankings as Birmingham Seaholm cracks the Top 10. Seaholm didn’t appear in the Top 20 until three weeks ago but has continued to climb, courtesy of a sparkling 21-2 record. Northville maintains the top spot for the second straight week while Bay City Western – with its 25-0 record – moves back to No. 2 ahead of reigning champion Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Hartland is back in the rankings for the first time since the preseason poll and is joined by newcomers Allen Park, Grand Ledge and Portage Northern. Grosse Pointe South and Birmingham Groves exit along with last week’s Top 10 teams Lake Orion and Brighton.
DIVISION 1
1. Northville 23-2
2. Bay City Western 25-0
3. Orchard Lake St. Mary 26-3
4. Battle Creek Lakeview 24-2
5. Birmingham Brother Rice 21-6
6. Zeeland East 25-2
7. Rockford 21-6
8. White Lake Lakeland 20-6
9. Birmingham Seaholm 21-2
10. West Bloomfield 16-6
11. Sterling Heights Stevenson 16-5
12. Jenison 16-8
13. Rochester Adams 14-5
14. Allen Park 18-4
15. Hartland 17-7
16. Hudsonville 20-8
17. Monroe 13-6
18. Grand Ledge 11-8
19. Portage Northern 17-6
20. Okemos 13-4
D2: FIRST CHANGE AT THE TOP
For the first time this season, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett is not the No. 1-ranked team in D2. Returning state runner-up Grand Rapids Christian slides into the top spot with a 21-3 record after Liggett suffered its 10th loss of the year. Grand Rapids Christian won back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 2013 and looking like a championship contender again. Olivet and Allendale are the only new joiners to the Top 20 while Frankenmuth and Coopersville slip out.
DIVISION 2
1. Grand Rapids Christian 21-3
2. Grosse Pointe University Liggett 15-10
3. Carleton Airport 20-4
4. New Boston Huron 15-5
5. Flint Powers 19-6
6. Stevensville Lakeshore 15-7
7. Forest Hills Eastern 20-4
8. Bay City John Glenn 20-3
9. Midland Bullock Creek 20-3
10. Detroit Country Day 14-4
11. Marine City 15-4
12. Richmond 12-3
13. Grand Rapids South Christian 18-8
14. Freeland 16-4
15. Olivet 21-3
16. Adrian 23-7
17. Corunna 18-3
18. North Branch 20-4
19. St. Johns 16-7
20. Allendale 15-6
D3: ALGONAC UPHOLDS LOFTY BILLING
Algonac seemed like a bit of a surprise team at the top of the D3 rankings at the outset of the season. But the Muskrats are now the only preseason No. 1 still holding strong. With 22 wins, they’re tied for the most wins among Top 20 teams in D3. There were only subtle changes in this week’s poll, with only one new team joining the fun. Niles Brandywine makes its Top 20 return while Hudson bows out.
DIVISION 3
1. Algonac 22-2
2. Detroit Edison 13-2
3. Clinton 20-2
4. Ecorse 17-1
5. Watervliet 18-1
6. Lansing Catholic Central 13-3
7. Laingsburg 19-5
8. North Muskegon 22-5
9. Parchment 21-5
10. Pewamo-Westphalia 10-5
11. Gladstone 8-2
12. Vassar 14-5
13. Galesburg-Augusta 19-2
14. Jackson Lumen Christi 15-5
15. Charlevoix 18-3
16. Bridgman 16-8
17. Onsted 11-8
18. Madison Heights Bishop Foley 10-7
19. Niles Brandywine 17-4
20. Sandusky 11-4
D4: PERFECT TEAM MAKES TOP 20 DEBUT
While top-ranked East Jordan suffered its first setback, a different undefeated team emerged on the scene. Painesdale Jeffers makes its Top 20 debut, soaring all the way to No. 9 courtesy of its 10-0 record. Rogers City is the only other newly added squad while Hillman and Detroit Academy of the Americas slips out. East Jordan maintains its No. 1 billing for the second straight week, but keep an eye on neighboring Inland Lakes as it climbs to No. 3.
DIVISION 4
1. East Jordan 15-1
2. Plymouth Christian 17-6
3. Indian River Inland Lakes 19-1
4. Fowler 16-4
5. Beal City 14-4
6. Marine City Cardinal Mooney 11-5
7. Gaylord St. Mary 15-1
8. Decatur 16-2
9. Painesdale Jeffers 10-0
10. Muskegon Catholic Central 19-4
11. Maple City Glen Lake 18-5
12. Ubly 16-5
13. Waterford Our Lady 13-4
14. Royal Oak Shrine 11-7
15. Peck 12-2
16. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 20-7
17. Kalamazoo Hackett 15-7
18. Rogers City 11-1
19. Merrill 12-5
20. Byron Center Zion Christian 14-3
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