SBLive Missouri high school baseball Power 25 rankings (April 24): Nixa, Rock Bridge jump into Top 10

The Top 5 remain the same as Liberty North and Blue Springs South continue to sit at the top of the rankings. 

A huge matchup this week contains the two hottest teams in the state as Rock Bridge hosts Nixa on Tuesday.

SBLIVE MISSOURI POWER 25 BASEBALL RANKINGS

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: MARCH 21 | MARCH 28 | APRIL 3 | APRIL 10 | APRIL 17 

Here's a look at the SBLive Missouri Power 25:

1. Liberty North (19-4)

Last week: 1

After dispatching Blue Springs South in the previous weekend's series, the Eagles swept Blue Springs this past weekend to keep a stranglehold on the SBLive Missouri No. 1 ranking. In the three games, Jackson Downing collected five hits, while the pitching trio of Andrew Agnew, Downing and Tate McGuire combined to strike out 20 Blue Springs batters. It'll be a clash of state champions this week as Liberty North squares off with Platte County early in the week.

2. Blue Springs South (18-3)

Last week: 2

After dropping two of three to Liberty North, Blue Springs South has rattled off five consecutive wins. It swept the series over Raymore-Peculiar, outscoring the Panthers 19-6 in the three-game series. Blue Springs South will travel to Lee's Summit North before competing in the River City Classic late next week with a possibility of seeing Liberty North in the title game on the line.

3. Logan-Rogersville (15-2)

Last week: 3

The Wildcats are gunning hard for that state championship that eluded them last year. Logan-Rogersville is being powered by a pitching staff that will look very familiar next year in the white and maroon of Missouri State. Brody McNeil leads the way with a 5-0 record and 50 strikeouts in 22 innings. Ross Lawrence is 3-1 with 30 strikeouts while Curry Sutherland is 1-1 with 24 strikeouts and two saves. A huge matchup looms with Springfield Catholic this week

4. Fort Zumwalt West (20-4)

Last week: 4

A one-run, extra-innings loss to an Adam Hachman-powered Timberland team was the only blemish on the record this past week. The Jaguars ripped off three consecutive wins, including a nail-biter over Fort Zumwalt South on Saturday. In the 2-1 loss to Timberland, the Wolves were able to overcome a herculean effort by starter Kenton Deverman. Deverman went seven innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out 12.

5. Francis Howell (18-5)

Last week: 5

The Vikings have rebounded well after a one-run loss to Fort Zumwalt West in the Columbia tournament. Francis Howell got back-to-back conference wins over Howell Central and a four-run win over Lafayette to cap off the week. Infielder Tytus Cissell powers an offense with a .432 batting average with 24 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. Sophomore Leo Humbert is making his mark with a .417 batting average and 20 RBIs with seven triples on the year so far.

6. Portageville (22-2)

Last week: 8

The Bulldogs used the Malden Invitational title to kickstart its offense into hyperdrive. In three games since the tournament, Portageville thrashed its helpless opponents, 54-2. Greenville was able to pour some cool water onto the red-hot offense, but Portageville was able to scrap out a one-run victory to extend its winning streak to nine games.

7. Nixa (19-3)

Last week: 14

After a four-run loss to Willard at home to cap last week, Nixa has taken its frustrations out on the next five opponents. In those five games, the combined record of those five teams was 71-37. Didn't matter, Nixa was able to make short work of them, winning the Lebanon Wood Bat Tournament, and outscoring its opponents 35-12. Nixa doesn't get a break as it has a looming road match with Rock Bridge to cap this week.

8. Rock Bridge (20-2)

Last week: 12

The 3-2 start to its season seems like a bad memory for Rock Bridge. The Bruins have mauled their way to 17 straight wins becoming the hottest team in the state. During its 17-game winning streak, Rock Bridge has outscored its opponents by seven or more runs. It has run-ruled five opponents in that winning streak. It has a massive home game with Nixa lined up this week as the two hottest teams in the state collide.

9. Southern Boone (17-6)

Last week: 6

After starting the season 13-1, Southern Boone has scuffled recently. It has gone 5-5 in the last 10 games, starting with a one-run loss to Hallsville last week. The Eagles will look to get back on track with home games against Boonville and New Bloomfield this week.

10. Springfield Catholic (9-3)

Last week: 7

After dropping back-to-back games to Fair Grove and Glendale, the Fighting Irish have won three of their last four. In the three wins, Springfield Catholic outscored its opponents 29-7 in those three games before suffering a five-run loss to Ozark at the end of the week. Springfield Catholic gets a massive matchup with Logan-Rogersville on Tuesday.

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11. Helias Catholic (13-5)

Last week: 9

In the Cape Notre Dame Showcase, Helias Catholic split its two games after losing to Rock Bridge midway through the week. The Crusaders got a one-run win over Illinois power Triad before a one-run loss in nine innings to Cape Notre Dame. Helias Catholic has a home matchup lined up with Jefferson City at the end of the week.

12. Russellville (18-4)

Last week: 11

The Indians have continued to roll, winning eight of their last nine games with the only blemish being a one-run loss to St. Elizabeth in extra innings. Russellville will take part in its own tournament this week with games scheduled with Pembroke Hill and New Bloomfield on the slate.

13. Valle Catholic (20-3)

Last week: 10

Valle Catholic notched its 20th win on the season in the first game of a showcase in Lebanon before being the latest victim of Nixa's warpath to finish up the weekend. In a two-run loss to the Eagles, the Warriors managed to bang out nine hits with Chase Fallert going 1-for-3 with three RBIs in the loss. Valle Catholic finishes up the week with three consecutive home games before a home match-up with Class 1 power Cooter over the weekend.

14. Vianney (17-3)

Last week: 15

The Golden Griffins suffered a one-run loss to rival CBC on the road before roaring back for a one-run win over the Cadets in the follow-up. It wrapped up the weekend with back-to-back wins over Parkway West. Senior David Broughton walked off against CBC in the conference conclusion after going 0-for-3 in the first three plate appearances. While he didn't notch the win, Nick Steurer went 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts, giving up two earned runs on seven hits.

15. Fort Zumwalt South (13-2-1)

Last week: 16

Fort Zumwalt South went toe-to-toe with bigger brother Fort Zumwalt West but came up just short of upsetting the Jaguars. The Bulldogs rebounded in a big way with a 10-run beatdown over Lutheran St. Charles. Carter Adkins gave up one earned run on six hits against West and struck out seven. Carter Cox went 1-for-1 with an RBI, while Connor Mendell went 1-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs in the 5-4 loss.

16. Borgia (13-2)

Last week: 18

The Knights just continue to knock down each and every opponent they face. Leading a balanced offense, Jack Nobe has four home runs and 15 RBIs. Four other Knights have collected 10 RBIs or more. Nobe has teamed up with Caden Carroll to provide a monstrous two-headed monster on the mound. The two have combined to go 7-0 with 10 earned runs given up in 47 innings pitched and 62 Ks.

17. Valley Park (10-1)

Last week: 13

Valley Park is just in a different league than its opponents. In the last five games, the Hawks have run-ruled their opponents in each of them and have outscored their over-matched opponents, 73-0. Junior outfielder Jeff Chitwood continues to post video-game-like numbers, leading the St. Louis area in batting average with a .786 (22-for-28) He has three triples and one home run with 21 RBIs. Teammate Will Geary has feasted too with a .633 batting average and 16 RBIs.

18. Glendale (17-2)

Last week: 19

The Falcons were cruising until an early-week match-up with Camdenton. A 9-0 loss was the first time Glendale had been shut out in a game since losing to Willard in the Class 5 District 6 title game last year. It rebounded with back-to-back wins over Ozark and Bolivar. Brooks Kettering has powered the offense with three home runs, 20 runs scored and 20 RBIs while batting .489.

19. Eureka (19-2)

Last week: 21

A last-minute change at head coach just before the season doesn't seem to have slowed the Wildcats. Eureka, on the verge of clinching back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time this century, has seven batters who have collected 10 RBI or more. Dakota Joggerst leads the way with a .467 batting average and 28 RBIs.

20. Fort Zumwalt East (13-7)

Last week: 17

The roller coaster ride continues for the Lions. After suffering back-to-back losses for the second time this season, Fort Zumwalt East rattled off three consecutive wins before falling to Seckman to cap the weekend. In the three-game winning streak to start the week, the pitching and defense only gave up three runs in those three games.

21. Willard (14-8)

Last week: 20

Willard has taken its lumps early in the season but is starting to show signs of life. After going 5-5 in their first 10 games, the Tigers have gone 9-3 in their latest games, including a statement 6-2 win over Nixa early last week. Cooper Wilken leads the offense with a .489 batting average while Cameron Jennings has a .542 on-base percentage.

22. Jackson (17-6)

Last week: 22

After back-to-back losses to Nixa, Jackson picked up two wins against teams from across the river. The six-run win over defending Class 4A state champions and universal power Edwardsville shows that Jackson has what it takes to go against anyone. It run-ruled the Wildcats from Marion before splitting two games with Lafayette to cap the weekend. Jackson has a big matchup lined up on Tuesday against Kennett before the conference tournament begins next week.

23. Camdenton (20-3)

Last week: NR

Camdenton confidently enters the rankings after a 9-0 shutout win over Glendale to kick off last week. After graduating two key starters last year, the Lakers haven't missed a beat. Spencer Mellencamp has posted a 4-1 record on the mound with a minuscule 0.58 ERA. Karson Drunin has picked up 22 strikeouts in 25 innings while brother Kade Durnin is 5-0 with a 1.36 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched.

24. CBC (16-10)

Last week: 24

After stumbling to an 8-8 record in its first 16 games, CBC has won eight of its last 10 games to get back on track. A season that was threatening to go off the rails has been corralled by the ultra-talented Cadets. Having Missouri recruits Jake McGhee and Kaden Peer to pair with Arkansas signee Nazzan Zanetello helps. The trio has combined for 16 home runs, 71 RBIs and 26 stolen bases for good measure.

25. Oak Park (18-6)

Last week: NR

After a sluggish start to the season, Oak Park has entered the chat. The Northmen have some peculiar losses, a 10-run loss to Raymore-Peculiar and a two-run loss to Raytown in the Northland Tournament are head-scratchers. But a shutout victory over Helias Catholic, a run-rule win over Excelsior SPrings have solidified Oak Park in the conversation.