Each week, Daily Herald sports experts Jared Lloyd and Darnell Dickson rank the top five teams in the Utah Valley in baseball, softball, boys soccer, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse and boys volleyball (records as of May 5):

BASEBALL

1. Maple Mountain (20-3)

Trying to maintain No. 2 seed with two games vs. Orem this week.

2. Timpanogos (19-6)

Defending 5A state champs trying to stay sharp for 4A Tournament.

3. American Fork (16-6)

Cavemen have scored 66 runs in past five games, all wins.

4. Springville (17-5)

Barrett (.446, 7 HR, 26 RBI) and Lauaki (.455, 6 HR, 23 RBI) are crushing it.

5. Orem (18-5)

Easton Barrett is second in the state in RBI with 43.

-Darnell Dickson

SOFTBALL

1. Spanish Fork (22-2)

Can anyone stop the Dons from getting another state title?

2. Springville (22-5)

The Red Devils get one more tune-up for state when they play at Maple Mountain on Tuesday.

3. Salem Hills (18-7)

The Skyhawks battled Spanish Fork and Springville before losing, which could make them even more dangerous in the playoffs.

4. Pleasant Grove (17-6)

Have the Vikings improved enough to stay with the top 6A teams at state?

5. Lehi (17-6-1)

The Pioneers have enjoyed an excellent year but want to play a lot more softball in the coming weeks.

-Jared Lloyd

BOYS SOCCER

1. Wasatch (14-0)

The unbeaten Wasps head to the playoffs as one of the favorites in 5A.

2. American Fork (12-2)

The Cavemen surged up the rankings by blanking rival Lone Peak, 2-0.

3. Lone Peak (9-3)

The Knights dropped two of their last four, which could be an ominous sign heading to state.

4. Salem Hills (12-2)

The Skyhawk quest to catch Wasatch came up short in the last game of the regular season.

5. Pleasant Grove (9-5)

This Viking squad is sneaky good and could surprise teams in the 6A tournament.

– Jared Lloyd

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

1. Orem (21-3)

Tigers trying to match girls team, which won 4A title in November.

2. Westlake (15-4)

Thunder bounced back from loss to PG to take down Lone Peak in five.

3. Maple Mountain (19-2)

Golden Eagles cruising on a 12-match winning streak.

4. Pleasant Grove (21-5)

Vikings taking on tough non-league opponents to finish regular season.

5. Lone Peak (20-6)

Knights have lost two of past three matches in competitive Region 3.

-Darnell Dickson

GIRLS LACROSSE

1. Payson (13-1)

Lions have won eight matches in a row since April 8.

2. Lone Peak (11-4)

Now healthy Knights ready to make a tournament run.

3. Pleasant Grove (11-4)

Vikings finish regular season hosting top-ranked (6A) Riverton.

4. Skyridge (11-4)

Falcons working on a four-match winning streak.

5. Timpanogos (11-3)

Cecily Williams leads T-Wolves with 42 points (38 goals, 4 assists).

-Darnell Dickson

BOYS LACROSSE

1. American Fork (10-5)

Playing a tough schedule moves the Cavemen to the top of a crowded field.

2. Payson (9-4)

The Lions face a busy week capped with the rematch against Orem.

3. Orem (9-4)

The Tigers can’t get distracted by their loss to rival Timpanogos.

4. Spanish Fork (9-4)

Friday’s OT win at Maple Mountain showed the heart of this Don squad.

5.  Lone Peak (11-5)

The Knights are coming on strong at the end of the regular season.

– Jared Lloyd

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