There’s a crowded field chasing the Division II baseball title, but the top-ranked team with an undefeated record in the D-II power rankings isn’t considered a front-runner.

But Seton Catholic’s players aren’t standing behind the lead pack, screaming “Look at me! Look at me!”

“We are just focused on ourselves,” said Seton Catholic coach Marty Maier.

Seton Catholic (21-6 overall, 18-0 in power rankings) is too mature and busy to worry about what others think about it with the playoffs set to start on Saturday.

Besides, this isn’t the first time that the team’s leaders are stepping into a postseason setting with a good team that isn’t considered a legitimate favorite. In December, Seton Catholic’s football team successfully navigated its way to a D-IV football title with the help of Matt Haggerty (.419 ave., 5-0),  Matt Pawlowski (.364 ave., 4-0), Matt Hart (.339 ave.), Ryan Bresnahan (.367 ave, 33 RBI’s), and Niko Villegas.

Those players also likely want to steer their baseball team to a baseball title. Five of Seton Catholic’s seniors are three-year starters, and six players will continue playing baseball in college.

But Seton Catholic likely needs a signature victory over a highly-ranked D-II opponent it hasn't played this season to prove it is a legitimate contender. Maier also brings a lot of baseball experience to the plate.

In his nine seasons at Phoenix College, Maier won 250 games before retiring from coaching at a school in the early 1990s. He returned to coaching at a school six seasons ago, when a friend suggested that Maier apply for the Seton Catholic job.

Thursday’s state baseball/softball show

So far, about 15 baseball and softball coaches are planning to attend Thursday’s state bracket show at the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

The show will start at 2:30 p.m. with the unveiling of the softball brackets. If you are interested in attending and possibly being interviewed during the show, please send me an e-mail (jgarcia@aia365.com).

Media members also are welcomed to also attend the event.