Weekly Power Rankings: July 15

By Ellie Rand

With less than a week remaining in the regular season, the race for first place has only intensified with the CRSCBL playoffs beginning next week.

Bethesda remains in first place in the rankings despite dropping two games this week, while Southern Maryland climbs back to No. 2 after an impressive 4-1 stretch highlighted by a dominant victory over Olney. The Cropdusters slide to third after splitting their last five contests and losing ground in the North Division race.

Here are the CRSCBL staff’s Week 6 Power Rankings:

1. Bethesda Big Train (22-10, 1st in North)

The Big Train remains the team to beat. Although Bethesda’s winning streak finally came to an end with an 11-8 loss to Southern Maryland, the Big Train still finished the week 3-2 and continues to own the league’s best record at 22-10.

Even in defeat, Bethesda proved why it has occupied the top spot for the second consecutive week. The offense continued producing at the league’s highest level, scoring 38 runs across just five games, while picking up convincing victories over the Thunderbolts, Alexandria, and division rival Olney.

The past weekend featured another statement win over the Cropdusters.

After falling behind 3-0 early, Bethesda responded with five runs in the fourth frame before adding insurance to secure a 7-4 win. Logan Ponnett (George Mason) reached base four times and scored twice, while Kieran Coleman (Undecided) delivered the game’s biggest swing with a three-run double before finishing with four RBIs. Aiden Parker (George Mason) shut the door out of the bullpen, striking out five over three scoreless innings.

The Big Train also dominated Alexandria. Jack Sams (Kentucky) combined with Bradley Gagen (Eastern Kentucky), Terry Kaler (Undecided), and Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) on a two-hit shutout in a 9-0 victory, while Casey Carpenter (UNC Wilmington) drove in three runs, notching a pair of doubles.

Bethesda’s lineup continued to receive production from nearly every spot in the order.

TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) batted .571 with four RBIs, Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern) hit .444 with a home run and three RBIs, while Zachary Malvasio (UCF) continued his outstanding summer by batting .364 for the week.

The Big Train remains atop the North Division as the league’s most complete club entering the final stretch of the regular season.

2. Southern Maryland Senators (20-12, 1st in South)

The Senators are surging once again.

After slipping to No. 3 in the power rankings a week ago, Southern Maryland responded with a strong stretch, winning four of five games in the last week, including victories over both Bethesda and Olney—the league’s top two teams.

Their offense was explosive all week long. Southern Maryland scored 44 runs over its five games, highlighted by an 11-8 victory at Bethesda Friday and an emphatic 11-2 road win over Olney on Tuesday.

Jackson Hays (Yale) was one of this week’s top hitters, batting .438 with seven RBIs, six runs scored, and a home run. James Layman (Xavier) was equally dangerous, batting .545 for six hits, a home run, four RBIs, and a remarkable .818 slugging percentage. Chase Fulford (Binghamton) also delivered in key moments, recording multiple hits in each of his four games and driving in seven runs.

The Senators also showcased their resilience. Trailing Alexandria 9-4 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, Southern Maryland mounted a dramatic comeback, scoring six unanswered runs over the final two innings to steal a 10-9 victory.

On the mound, Ryan Conrad (Villanova) struck out nine over five frames to earn a win, while Will Petteys (Georgia State) bounced back with five strong innings against Olney to secure the biggest victory of the week and earn them the No. 2 standing in this week’s rankings.

The Senators remain two games behind Bethesda overall, but after taking down both North Division contenders, Southern Maryland has reestablished itself as a legitimate threat heading into next week's playoffs.

3. Olney Cropdusters (21-11, 2nd in North)

The Cropdusters remain one of the league’s most talented teams, but an inconsistent week keeps them one spot lower.

Olney opened the week with consecutive victories over Metro South County and the D.C. Grays before defeating Gaithersburg 13-8, but losses to both Bethesda and Southern Maryland prevented the Cropdusters from regaining the top spot in the rankings.

Even so, the offense continued producing.

Zakye Hawkins (New Mexico) reached base seemingly every game, batting .385 while scoring eight runs and stealing seven bases throughout the week.

Ryan Bouma (Frostburg State) added a home run and five runs scored, Cade Walter (Jacksonville) drove in four runs, and Maximus Wearing (Rutgers) collected four hits and six RBIs.

The Cropdusters also showcased their trademark offensive depth in Monday’s 13-8 win over the Giants. Seven different players drove in runs, including Giuseppe Salvatore (New Mexico), who homered and finished with three RBIs, and Cadeyrn Ahearn (Lehigh) collecting three hits and three runs.

Olney’s pitching staff was also one of its biggest strengths this week.

Austin Weiss (Maryland) earned Week 6 Pitcher of the Week honors after posting a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA across two appearances. The left-hander threw five scoreless innings, struck out six, and held opposing hitters hitless, allowing no hits in 15 at-bats.

Weiss retired all nine batters he faced during three perfect innings against the Thunderbolts before adding two more scoreless frames against Bethesda.

However, Olney struggled to keep pace with the other elite teams in the league.

The Cropdusters dropped a hard-fought 7-4 contest to Bethesda before being overpowered 11-2 by Southern Maryland, managing just two runs despite collecting 11 total hits.

Despite those setbacks, the Cropdusters remain only one game behind Bethesda in the North Division standings and still boast one of the league’s deepest rosters.