Baseball season begins with rankings

When the Ohio high school baseball season officially opens on Monday-provided Mother Nature complies-several teams will begin play with a huge bulls-eye on their back. That's because they enter the season ranked by OhioVarsity.com among the 10 best teams in their respective divisions.

Last year, Moeller used a three-run first inning to knock off Pickerington North, 5-2, to win the Division I crown. And the Crusaders return plenty of talent this season, but it's another Division I powerhouse that tops the Ohio Varsity Top 10.

Lakewood St. Edward, which features two of Baseball America's top talents, heads the list of the top teams in Division I. Catcher Alex Lavisky, a Georgia Tech commitment, and pitcher/third baseman Stetson Allie form a deadly duo for the Eagles.

Moeller, at No. 2, will give the Eagles a run for their money, but there are plenty of other top squads across the state expecting to win the Division I crown.

Click here for the complete Division I Top 10.

In Division II, again it's many of the top programs ready to compete for the state championship.

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin edged Walsh Jesuit, 2-1, for the 2009 state title, but it's Walsh Jesuit that returns a star-studded lineup and earned the top spot in the Ohio Varsity Top 10. The Warriors, led by one of the nation's top pitching prospects in Virginia commit Tyler Skulina, feature the state's best 1-2 pitching combination and a lineup built for a championship.

NDCL also returns plenty of talent, but comes in ranked No. 3 behind second-ranked Columbus DeSales. The Stallions finished 22-9 last season and could be poised to make another deep run into the postseason.

Click here for the complete Division II Top 10.

Stay tuned to OhioVarsity.com for the Division III and Division IV Top 10 rankings as well as individual player rankings, features, game recaps and more. Take a moment to share your thoughts on these rankings and the upcoming baseball season in the Ohio Varsity Baseball Forum.