Jays to begin 2017 season topping Class 5 rankings

The expectations are already high for the Jefferson City Jays baseball team.

The Jays were ranked as the No. 1 team in Class 5 in Monday's preseason state rankings released by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Jefferson City finished with a program-best 28-7 record last season and was runner-up in the Class 5 state tournament.

Lindbergh is No. 2 in Class 5, followed by Rockwood Summit, Lee's Summit West and Poplar Bluff.

The Jays defeated Lindbergh in the Class 5 semifinals last season before losing the championship game to Francis Howell, which is ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll.

The Helias Crusaders will also begin the 2017 season as a state-ranked team.

The Crusaders are ranked No. 5 in the Class 4 poll. Aurora is No. 1, followed by MICDS, Boonville and Fulton.

Helias posted a 21-9 record last season, which ended with a loss to Aurora in the Class 4 quarterfinals.

As for other area teams, the South Callaway Bulldogs are ranked as the No. 1 team in Class 3. South Callaway is coming off a 25-7 record in 2016 and a fourth-place finish in the Class 3 state tournament.

The Vienna Eagles are No. 5 in Class 2, while the St. Elizabeth Hornets are No. 5 in Class 1. Both teams won district titles last spring and advanced to the state playoffs.

CLASS 5

1. Jefferson City; 2. Lindbergh; 3. Rockwood Summit; 4. Lee's Summit West; 5. Poplar Bluff.

6. Ozark; 7. Francis Howell; 8. Vianney; 9. Springfield Kickapoo; 10. Hickman.

Others receiving votes: Staley; Platte County; C.B.C.; Rock Bridge; Holt; Webb City; Liberty North; Jackson; Sedalia Smith-Cotton.

CLASS 4

1. Aurora; 2. MICDS; 3. Boonville; 4. Fulton; 5. Helias.

6. North County; 7. Lutheran South; 8. Smithville; 9. Carl Junction; 10. (tie) Cape Girardeau Notre Dame and Westminster Christian Academy.

Others receiving votes: Bolivar; Monett; Lutheran St. Charles; Borgia; St. Joseph Lafayette.

CLASS 3

1. South Callaway; 2. Summit Christian Academy; 3. Scott City; 4. Mountain Grove; 5. Lawson.

6. Strafford; 7. Butler; 8. Cuba; 9. Caruthersville; 10. Bowling Green.

CLASS 2

1. Valle Catholic; 2. Canton; 3. Plato; 4 Lincoln; 5. Vienna.

6. Mansfield; 7. Crane; 8. Sturgeon; 9. Chaffee; 10. Scotland County.

Others receiving votes: Purdy; Bismarck; Liberal; West Platte; Clopton; Galena.

CLASS 1

1. Belle City; 2. Northwest: Hughesville; 3. Silex; 4. Oran; 5. St. Elizabeth.

6. Braymer; 7. Green City; 8. Cooter; 9. Hurley; 10. Macks Creek.