The Modesto Bee's Stanislaus District baseball rankings

Note: Records indicated are those entering Monday’s games.

Large School

Comprised of teams from the Modesto Metro Conference, Central California Conference, Valley Oak League and Western Athletic Conference.

1. (1) Manteca (14-4, 6-0): The Buffaloes swept defending Valley Oak League champion Sierra to remain perfect in league; the highlight was a three-run, two-out rally in the seventh inning at Sierra.

2. (2) Beyer (12-3, 8-1): The Patriots were idle last week and finish Modesto Metro Conference play with three-game sets with the three coldest teams in town: Davis, Modesto and Johansen.

3. (3) Turlock (10-8, 6-0): The ’Dogs took care of business against the bottom-dwellers in the Central California Conference, but Turlock now enters the meat of its schedule, beginning with Merced.

4. (5) Pitman (12-6, 4-2): The Pride are getting hot at the right time; Pitman has won four straight games going into a showdown with Buhach Colony, which as won five of its first six in CCC play.

5. (nr) Gregori (12-6, 6-3): Since getting swept by Beyer to start MMC play, the Jaguars have won eight straight games to move into sole possession of second; Gregori outscored Modesto 29-11 in a series sweep.

Others to watch: El Capitan (12-6, 5-1), Buhach Colony (8-10, 5-1), Merced (11-7, 3-3), Los Banos (11-5, 4-2), Patterson (13-4-1, 3-1), Sierra (9-6, 3-3).

Small School

Comprised of teams from the Trans-Valley League, Mother Lode League, Southern League and Central California Athletic Association.

1. (1) Ripon (14-3, 4-0): The Indians confirmed their place atop the small-school poll by sweeping rival Escalon. Matthew De Donatis delivered the big hit, smacking a walk-off single to complete the sweep.

2. (2) Escalon (7-10, 2-2): The Cougars lose traction in the Trans-Valley League but don’t fall in the rankings because the margin of defeat was so small. Escalon was in position to win both games against the Indians.

3. (3) Hughson (7-6-1, 3-3): Walter Fountain and Trent Bayes went 3 for 4 and drove in two runs apiece as Hughson handed Hilmar its first TVL loss. Trace Thomas completed the mercy-rule win with a three-hit gem.

4. (5) Hilmar (9-8, 5-1): How good are the ’Jackets? We’ll find out soon enough. Hilmar has a home-and-home series with non-league foe Ceres this week and then faces No. 1 Ripon in its return to the TVL.

5. (4) Ripon Christian (12-5, 5-1): The Knights slip to No. 5 despite sweeping its Southern League series with Delhi. The chance to move up is now as RC plays Waterford and Gustine over the next two weeks.

Others to watch: Gustine (11-3, 5-1), Modesto Christian (9-7, 2-2), Mariposa (6-4, 4-1), Big Valley Christian (6-5, 5-2), Summerville (8-4, 7-3), Turlock Christian (7-3, 6-2).

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 4:05 PM with the headline "The Modesto Bee's Stanislaus District baseball rankings."