Each week, Daily Herald sports experts Darnell Dickson and Brandon Gurney rank the top five teams in the Utah Valley in baseball, softball, boys soccer, boys volleyball and boys and girls lacrosse (records as of April 27):

BASEBALL

1. Maple Mountain (19-1)

Golden Eagles have won nine straight games by a combined score of 74-10.

2. American Fork (15-4)

Cavemen took two of three from PG to move up a spot.

3. Pleasant Grove (16-3)

15-game winning streak ended by American Fork.

4. Timpanogos (17-6)

T-Wolves won Region 8 title with an 11-1 record.

5. Orem (13-7)

Sophomore Chase Ford leads Tigers with 19 RBI.

– Darnell Dickson

SOFTBALL

1. Salem Hills (20-2)

Skyhawks appear to be in prime form following last week’s no-hitter from Jocile Norman.

2. Westlake (16-4)

Thunder won three straight last week, including 25-17 slugfest victory over region rival Skyridge.

3. Pleasant Grove (17-5)

Vikings reappear in rankings following dominant week, outscoring three opponents 50-9.

4. Payson (19-5)

Lions busy last week with five wins in six games, ending with 5-3 setback to 4A power Bear River.

5. Lehi (15-8)

Pioneers didn’t allow a single run last week as they round into form prior to state tournament.

– Brandon Gurney

BOYS SOCCER

1. Lone Peak (13-2)

Knights survived OT scare from region rival PG and remain at top with four straight wins.

2. Skyridge (11-4)

Falcons didn’t miss a beat following big win over AF, defeating Lehi and PG by combined 6-1 margin.

3. American Fork (10-2)

Cavemen reasserted themselves after impressive wins over Westlake and Lehi.

4. Wasatch (12-2)

Wasps are back in track following OT loss to Spanish Fork, beating Maple Mountain and Park City.

5. Orem (10-2)

Tigers nine-game winning streak came to an end with 5-1 loss to Provo.

– Brandon Gurney

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

1. Maple Mountain (20-1)

Golden Eagles have won five straight Region 8 matches in sweeps.

2. Westlake (19-5)

Kalika Tafa leads Thunder with 241 kills (4.0 per set).

3. Orem (21-6)

Tigers end regular season with home match vs. Mountain View.

4. Lehi (13-4)

Outside hitter Ashton Shewell fifth in the state in hitting percentage (.378).

5. Lone Peak (19-5)

Sophomore Brady Holt No. 7 in the state with 283 kills.

– Darnell Dickson

BOYS LACROSSE

1. Skyridge (14-0)

Led by top scorer Cabell Buechner, Falcons continue perfect season with wins vs. Lehi and PG.

2. Lone Peak (10-3)

Knights have put up exactly 15 goals in three of past four games.

3. Maple Mountain (10-4)

Golden Eagles scored big wins over Wasatch and Timpanogos to hold down No. 3 spot.

4. Payson (11-4)

Lions look to be in prime form following wins vs. Mountain View and Orem by combined score of 31-2.

5. Timpview (9-6)

A 14-6 win over Cedar Valley vaults Thunderbirds into rankings.

– Brandon Gurney

GIRLS LACROSSE

1. Salem Hills (13-1)

Junior Ella Chamberlain allowing just 6.6 goals per match with 71 saves.

2. Skyridge (12-2)

Ten straight wins for red-h0t Falcons.

3. Lone Peak (12-3)

Knights get another shot at Skyridge on Thursday.

4. Provo (10-2)

Bulldogs up to nine consecutive victories.

5. Payson (7-7)

Last year’s 4A runner-up is closing strong, now 5-2 in Region 8.

– Darnell Dickson