It was a year of new contenders in local baseball, as only two teams in this year’s final Top 10 were also in the Spring 2017 year-end rankings.

It just so happens they occupy the top two spots, just as last year. The Riverdale Baptist Crusaders finish on top after holding that spot for the entirety of the spring. St. John’s was the other repeat world-beater this year, winning the WCAC championship for the fifth straight year.

In Maryland, Howard took home the 4A crown with another late-game rally against Severna Park. The Falcons, as well as La Plata and Huntingtown, will have to settle for celebrating a championship appearance.

West Springfield seemed to grow stronger as the year went on, putting together a postseason run that included two victories over Lake Braddock and a Virginia Class 6 title. Potomac is the only other local program that made a Virginia final.

In the District, Wilson finally carried its conference success over to the state tournament. Its walk-off win over St. Albans in the DCSAA championship is one of the many moments from these past few weeks that a lot of local baseball fans will remember for a long time.

 1. (32-1) Last week’s ranking: 1

The Crusaders finished with two more wins than last year’s 30-1 mark.

2. St. John’s (26-6) LW: 2

Cadets senior outfielder Zach Tsakounis was named the Gatorade DC Baseball Player of the Year.

3. West Springfield (22-5) LW: NR

This year’s state title is the Spartans’ first since 2010.

4. Howard (20-5) LW: 5

The Lions’ season is over after they won the Maryland 4A title.

5. Lake Braddock (22-5) LW: 4

The Bruins’ were dominant against local teams this year, except for West Springfield, which beat them twice in the postseason.

6. Severna Park (19-4) LW: 6

The Falcons fell short of a state championship after a dominant regular season.

7. Potomac (21-5) LW: NR

The Panthers were shut out for the first time this year in an 8-0 loss to Prince George in the Class 5 title game.

8. Battlefield (19-6) LW: 7

The Bobcats put together a five-run fourth inning, but that wasn’t enough to keep their season alive against Lake Braddock in the state quarterfinals.

9. Wilson (23-7) LW: 9

The Tigers won the DCSAA for the first time in team history on Sam Himmelfarb’s walk-off single.

10. Freedom-South Riding (21-6) LW: NR

The Eagles’ couldn’t bring their bats to life in a 7-0 loss to Potomac in the Class 5 state semifinals.

Dropped out:  No. 10 Riverside (19-3)

On the bubble: Paul VI (24-7), Sherwood (19-2), Briar Woods (18-7), Riverside (19-3)