Providence Retains No. 1 Position Despite Setback

1. Providence (14-1): You didn’t think the Celtics were going to go undefeated, did you? An 8-5 loss to St. Laurence on Saturday puts Providence in the mood to settle the score in today’s rematch between the Catholic League powers. Last week: No. 1.

2. Rich Central (12-1-1): Tyler House pitched a two-hitter and struck out nine in the Olympians’ 4-1 victory over neighborhood rival Bloom. Brandon Fowler had two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Matt Cole went 1-for-2 and tacked on an RBI. Last week: No. 4.

3. Lincoln-Way East (11-4): A big week for the Griffins started with 10-9 victory over St. Laurence in the Stevie’s Way Challenge. Alec Ornelas three-run bases-clearing triple tied the score in the seventh. Matt Von Albade struck out 12 in East’s 8-0 victory over Joliet Central. Last week: Unranked.

4. Andrew (12-5): The T-Bolts hit the prep baseball version of the trifecta with three wins on Saturday. The highlight was a 17-2 five-inning victory over Lincoln-Way West. Nick DeBenedetti and Brian Cobb each had two RBIs. Last week: Unranked.

5. Richards (13-4): Take two. OK, that’s what the Bulldogs did on Saturday to keep their momentum rolling. Joe Lyons went 4-for-4 and had three RBIs in a 13-11 victory over Stagg. He also scored three runs. Ricky Palacios went 2-for-4 and had two RBIs. Last week: Unranked.

Next best (in alphabetical order): Chicago Christian, Homewood-Flossmoor, Lincoln-Way North, Oak Forest, Sandburg.

(Covering the following Patch communities: Chicago Heights, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Homewood-Flossmoor, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland, Palos, Tinley Park and the neighboring private schools that draw students from those communities).