The final week of the regular baseball season is here, and the intensity is reaching a fever pitch. With playoffs looming just around the corner, every game matters more than ever. It's a sprint to Rhode Island College, where the top teams in all three divisions will battle for supremacy.

In Division I, Bishop Hendricken continues to set the standard. The Hawks hold a commanding lead over La Salle in the tournament standings and are a full game ahead of East Providence in the loss column. After a rare defeat to the Townies, Hendricken has responded in dominant fashion, stringing together an eight-game winning streak—including two victories over the Rams. That's the mark of a team peaking at the perfect time.

Over in Division II, East Greenwich still sits atop the standings, but the Avengers can feel the pressure building. Ponaganset is on fire and handed EG a second loss last week, signaling that the race is far from over. Keep an eye on Middletown, West Warwick, and Narragansett—all dangerous contenders lurking in the wings, ready to strike once the double-elimination format begins.

Division III belongs to Woonsocket, which is just four wins away from an undefeated regular season. The Villa Novans have opened a significant gap over Exeter-West Greenwich, Scituate, Providence Country Day, and Juanita Sanchez. Their pitching has been especially dominant, with three recent shutouts by a combined score of 38-0. That's a statement performance, especially after a tight 4-3 win over Pawtucket Co-op in a finals series rematch.

This is the time of year when great players elevate their teams. Whether it's a clutch pitcher dominating on the mound or a slugger delivering in the lineup, standout performances can be the difference between advancing to the next round and packing up for the summer. Some of those exceptional athletes are featured in this week's nominees for the Longplex Athlete of the Week for Baseball.

Here's how it works: Polls open every Monday morning with the previous week's nominees and run through Friday. There's only one way to vote—click the link in the story, find the ballot inside, and pick your player. Phone calls, emails, or in-person requests won't count. It's all about the votes, and last week's results prove just how passionate the fans are.

Anthony DeLuca took home the honors last week, earning 51% of the more than 6,400 votes cast. DeLuca was instrumental in all three wins for the Patriots two weeks ago, and his performance set the bar high for this week's contenders. Now it's your turn to decide who deserves the spotlight. Cast your vote and help crown the Week 6 Longplex Athlete of the Week!