The Modesto Bee’s Stanislaus District baseball rankings for May 2

Note: Records and statistics as of May 1.

Large schools

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

1. (2) Beyer (17-3, 14-1 MMC): The Patriots clinched the Modesto Metro Conference title and No. 1 overall seed with a sweep of free-falling Modesto. Beyer is averaging 9.8 runs during an eight-game win streak. Next: at Johansen on Wednesday.

2. (1) Manteca (17-5, 9-1 VOL): The Buffaloes drop out of the top spot after suffering their first Valley Oak League loss at the hands of Sam Mundt and Central Catholic. Manteca bounced back with a sweep of Lathrop. Next: vs. Kimball on Wednesday.

3. (3) Turlock (14-10, 10-2 CCC): The Bulldogs dropped two of three to rival Pitman to complicate their title chase in the Central California Conference. To clinch, Turlock must win its series with Buhach Colony, also 10-2 in the CCC. Next: at Buhach Colony on Tuesday.

4. (4) Gregori (16-8, 10-5 MMC): The Jaguars lost two of three to Enochs to leave the MMC playoff picture unsettled heading into the final week, but Gregori responded in the best way possible. Matt Dallas pitched a perfect game and was helped by an offense that produced 10 runs and 10 hits. Next: vs. Downey on Wednesday.

5. (5) El Capitan (16-6, 9-1 WAC): Winners of five straight, the Gauchos are barreling toward their first Western Athletic Conference title. El Capitan will sharpen its teeth during the bye week with a nonconference game against a Division I playoff team. Next: at Enochs on Wednesday.

Others to watch: Enochs (15-11, 12-6 MMC); Buhach Colony (13-11, 10-2 CCC); Pitman (15-9, 7-5 CCC); Patterson (16-5-1, 6-2 WAC); Los Banos (13-5, 6-2 WAC); Oakdale (16-6, 7-3 VOL); Central Catholic (13-9, 7-3 VOL).

Small schools

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

1. (1) Ripon (18-3, 8-0 TVL): The Indians have won six straight games, including a sweep of Hilmar, a former top-five program. Reigning Trans-Valley League Offensive Player of the Year Angelo Baciocco is 6 for 11 with six RBIs in the last three games. Next: at Riverbank on Tuesday.

2. (2) Escalon (11-10, 6-2 TVL): Fresh off a sweep of Modesto Christian, the Cougars face a tough closing act in the TVL. Robby Rickman, Alec Beltran and company finish the regular season with home-and-home sets with Hughson and Hilmar: Next: vs. Hughson on Tuesday.

3. (4) Ripon Christian (15-5, 8-1 SL): Westmont-bound senior Travis Vander Molen tossed a two-hit complete game as the Knights swept Gustine with a 3-1 victory Friday. Vander Molen struck out 10, extending Ripon Christian’s win streak to six. Next: at Denair on Wednesday.

4. (5) Hughson (10-7-1, 6-4 TVL): The Huskies have won three straight games. Walter Fountain and Grant Williams were the catalysts in Hughson’s 12-2 victory over Mountain House. Fountain drove in three runs, while Williams fanned 10 in a complete game. Next: at Escalon on Tuesday.

5. (nr) Mariposa (11-5, 8-2 SL): The Grizzlies jump into the small-schools poll after pulverizing Delhi in a two-game series by a combined 29-0. Noah Rockwood totaled five RBIs in the series for the 2015 Division VI runner-up. Next: vs. Le Grand on Wednesday.

Others to watch: Hilmar (10-11, 5-3 TVL); Big Valley Christian (11-5, 10-2 CCAA); Summerville (9-6, 8-5 MLL).

James Burns

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 9:52 AM with the headline "The Modesto Bee’s Stanislaus District baseball rankings for May 2."