The 12: Plymouth and Newport battle in the South, Vermont builds cushion in North

Chris Kalica has been dominant for the Schooners. /Mystic Photo

I apologize for not coming out with another power rankings piece sooner, as a week has gone by and we're suddenly at the end of June and nearing the midway point of the 2014 NECBL season. The worst team in the NECBL last season, Plymouth, have completed a shocking turnaround and sit on the last day of June with just three losses.

Not a typo. The Pilgrims lost last night to Mystic which snapped an eight game winning streak that included a 14-run rout of Valley. Newport and Vermont are high up in the rankings as usual, and Keene has begun their turnaround as they are steadily moving up the divisional standings.

Here are my second weekly rankings. Tell me what you think about them on Twitter, @bradleysmart15 or in the comments below.

1. Plymouth Pilgrims (LW: 3)- When you've only lost three games heading into July, you're doing something right. They're tied for first in team average and second in ERA with Thomas Jankins unhittable out of the bullpen.

2. Vermont Mountaineers (LW: 1)- Vermont dropped a game to Plymouth and also blew a late lead to Keene to fall out of first in the rankings, but the Mountaineers have rebounded for three straight wins behind an aggressive offense that is tied for the lead in average and has eight more stolen bases then any other team.

3. Newport Gulls (LW: 2)- Plymouth has played two less games then the Gulls, who sit just a game back because of it. Mick Van Vossen and Jack Patterson are 1-2 in strikeouts with 25 and 24 while Marc Huberman quietly has a 1.20 ERA and just eight hits allowed over 15 innings.

4. Mystic Schooners (LW: 5)- A week ago the Schooners were just two games over .500 but they've gone on a tear, winning their last four straight- including a 4-3 victory over Plymouth. They rank first in both team average and ERA, so this Mystic team is dangerous.

5. Sanford Mainers (LW: 7)- The Mainers bounced around in the .500 range but have won two straight after falling to Vermont to pull two games out of first with a game and a half cushion between them and third place North Adams.

6. Ocean State (LW: 4)- On a three-game skid, Ocean State has gone 4-6 over their last ten games to fall four games out of first place in the Southern Division. Their still in the playoffs and will most likely be with Danbury and New Bedford way behind them, but a first-round exit for the second year in a row awaits them.

7. Keene Swamp Bats (LW: 9)- Keene's pitching was one of the best in the NECBL in June, can their hitters pick them up and complete a comeback? They've gone 7-3 over their last ten games and sit just two games below .500.

8. North Adams SteepleCats (LW: 6)- North Adams are third in their division despite not having a winning record. Still, they're just barely fending off fourth place Keene with Laconia just a game back. Currently on a two-game skid, the SteepleCats need to reverse their fortunes to avoid playing the best team come playoffs.

9. Laconia Muskrats (LW: 10)- The Muskrats are en route to missing the playoffs for the second season in a row as they currently sit in fifth, but things aren't as bad as they look. Laconia is just 4.5 games back of first in a crowded division and could easily catch Keene, North Adams and even Sanford.

10. Valley Blue Sox (LW: 8)- Valley is a horrendous 1-9 over their last ten games to go from first to worst in the Northern Division. They're currently on a three game skid.

11. Danbury Westerners (LW: 11)- A league worst eight-game losing streak has Danbury 10 games out of first. They've also played the most games out of anyone in the league, with 20.

12. New Bedford Bay Sox (LW: 12)- New Bedford is 11.5 games back and its still June. They have just two wins and are on a three-game losing streak.