SBLive Missouri high school baseball Power 25 rankings (May 8): Rock Bridge moves up into top five

Rock Bridge breaks into the top five after a stellar week at the beginning of May. Vianney moves into the Top 10 while Willard and Camdenton continue to fly up the rankings.

SBLIVE MISSOURI POWER 25 BASEBALL RANKINGS

• PREVIOUS RANKINGS: MARCH 21 | MARCH 28 | APRIL 3 | APRIL 10 | APRIL 17 | APRIL 24 | MAY 1 

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

1. Liberty North (25-6)

Last week: 1

Pushed its winning streak to four games after back-to-back losses in Kansas. In a three-game series sweep over Raymore-Peculiar, Liberty North outscored the Panthers, 19-2. Tate McGuire picked up the win with five strikeouts in three innings in the final game of the series. Jackson Downing picked up two hits and an RBI in the win. Liberty North will travel to Liberty in the season finale this week. The Eagles are the No. 1 seed in the Class 6 District 8 tournament.

2. Logan-Rogersville (22-3)

Last week: 2

Had its 14-game winning streak snapped with a 1-0 loss to Lee's Summit over the weekend. Logan-Rogersville rebounded with a 4-1 victory over Belton to cap the week. In a 5-3 victory over Pleasant Hill, Curry Sutherland picked up a win with six innings pitched while Noah Carrow collected a home run and a double in the victory. Logan-Rogersville will host Willard in the regular-season finale before kicking off the Class 4 District 10 tournament next week.

3. Blue Springs South (24-4)

Last week: 3

Blue Springs South stretched its winning streak to 11 games with wins over Liberty and Platte County last week. It dropped a 6-4 decision to Rockhurst to cap off the week. In the 3-2 victory over Platte County, Blue Springs South was able to roar back from a 2-0 deficit in the first two innings. Liam Bryan hit a double in the game and threw six innings giving up four hits in the victory. Blue Springs South will travel to Staley in the season-finale before district play.

4. Rock Bridge (26-5)

Last week: 6

After back-to-back losses in extra innings, the Bruins were able to pick up three consecutive wins. They dropped an 8-5 decision to Kickapoo before ambushing CBC and its eight pitchers. Despite giving up 14 hits against a loaded CBC offense, the Bruins were able to make the most of their eight hits to pick up a 7-5 win to cap off the week. Rock Bridge will host Willard on Wednesday before back-to-back road trips to close the season.

5. Fort Zumwalt West (25-8)

Last week: 5

The Jaguars swept conference rival Francis Howell in a huge GAC showdown to begin the week. In two games, Fort Zumwalt West held the potent Francis Howell offense to just five runs in 14 innings this week and has won all four meetings. Carson Clark and Kenton Deverman combined to throw all 14 innings this week and collected 19 strikeouts in those two games.

6. Nixa (26-6)

Last week: 7

One of the hottest teams in April has cooled only slightly in May. Nixa suffered a 7-2 road loss to Republic before three convincing wins over Carl Junction, West Plains and Marshfield. In the three victories, the Eagles have outscored their opponents 43-7. Nixa will travel to Glendale in the regular-season finale this week before district play.

7. Francis Howell (24-9)

Last week: 4

The Vikings hit a mini skid this week with back-to-back losses to Fort Zumwalt West to split the conference title. Francis Howell dropped a 1-0 game to Washington before rebounding in the second matchup. Francis Howell managed to work out seven walks while Eli Skidmore picked up the win by combining with two other pitchers to limit the Blue Jays to three runs.

8. Portageville (28-2)

Last week: 8

Portageville stretched its winning streak to 15 games, sweeping the Bootheel Conference Tournament. It knocked off Caruthersville in the tournament opener before scrapping past South Pemiscot in the championship game. Jayquan Bogan hit an RBI double in the sixth inning, while Trey Benthal pitched a complete game giving up one run in the victory. The Bulldogs will get two back-to-back home games before beginning district play next week.

9. Southern Boone (24-9)

Last week: 9

The defending Class 4 state champions have won four of the last five games with its only loss being a 4-0 loss to Eldon in the Fulton Tournament. In the three victories in the tournament, Southern Boone threw three consecutive shutouts. Southern Boone will get two road trips before it heads into the Class 4 District 8 tournament next week.

10. Vianney (26-5)

Last week: 11

The Golden Griffins continue to power toward the postseason. After a 1-0 loss at home against De Smet, Vianney rattled off three straight wins. In a 14-10 victory over De Smet late in the week, Nick Steurer picked up the win, striking out six batters in the wild affair. Nolan Jaworowski went 3-for-3 with three RBIs while Vianney battered out 17 hits in the win.

Mount Vernon's Ally Burk voted SBLive's Missouri High School Athlete of the Week (April 24-30)

Vote now: Who should be SBLive's National Boys Athlete of the Week? (May 1-7)

Photos: Zumwalt West baseball tops host Francis Howell

11. Eureka (26-3)

Last week: 12

The Wildcats had their nine-game winning streak snapped by Lafayette late last week. Eureka will have back-to-back conference games against Kirkwood in the final week of the regular season with a home game against Westminster to close out the season. Eureka beat out Vianney to earn the No. 1 seed in the Class 6 District 2 tournament next week.

12. Springfield Catholic (14-6)

Last week: 10

The Fighting Irish have won three of their last five games. Springfield Catholic split a doubleheader against Hickman and Rolla to cap the week. In the win over Rolla, Ben Smith got the save with three innings of work, giving up one hit and five strikeouts. Cole Schoen went 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the victory. In a loaded district tournament, Springfield Catholic is the No. 3 seed and will play Willow Springs in the first round.

13. Jackson (25-6)

Last week: 13

Jackson pushed its winning streak to nine games, capping it off with a 6-5 victory over De Smet. John Paul Sauer went six innings in the victory while Quinton Borders went 2-for-3 with a single and a home run with four RBIs. Cooper Rhodes also went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Jackson will get a matchup with Kelly before two road trips to close out the regular season.

14. Helias Catholic (17-6)

Last week: 15

After losing to Jefferson City last week, Helias rebounded with three consecutive wins, capped by a 2-1 win over Battle to finish off the week. The Crusaders managed to get a 2-1 win in extra innings. David Hofherr and Ben Miller picked up RBI while Sam Wyrick registered a double while throwing eight innings with eight strikeouts.

15. Valle Catholic (25-4)

Last week: 14

The Warriors went 2-1 in the MAAA Conference tournament last week with wins over Valley and West County sandwiched around an 8-4 loss to North County. In the 8-1 victory over Valley, Grant Fallert went 2-for-4 with three RBIs while Aaron Eftink went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Valle Catholic awaits the Clearwater and Arcadia Valley winner in the Class 3 District 3 semifinal round.

16. Willard (24-8)

Last week: 20

Willard rattled off its 13th straight win with a dominant 9-1 victory over Excelsior Springs. In a 3-2 victory over Webb City in the middle of the week, Willard was powered by Klayton Kiser with a two-run home run. Christopher Massey struck out nine over 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win. Willard will conclude the season with back-to-back games against Rock Bridge before the Class 5 district tournament.

17. Camdenton (28-4)

Last week: 21

Camdenton stretched its winning streak to seven games with back-to-back wins over Battle and St. Elizabeth. Camdenton will travel to Branson and Dixon to close out the regular season before opening up the Class 5 District 6 tournament next week.

18. Valley Park (17-2)

Last week: 17

Valley Park continues to roll up the impressive win total with an explosive offense. Three batters are hitting over .500 with Jeff Chitwood (.648) leading the way along with Will Geary (.625) and Blake Whitney (.542). Clark Menley is batting .426 at the No. 2 spot with 27 RBIs. Isaiah Rose is leading the way with a 6-1 record and a 1.56 ERA. Earned the No. 2 seed in the Class 3 District 4 tournament.

19. Glendale (21-4)

Last week: 18

The Falcons picked up three wins in the last four games with a home loss to Lebanon as the only blemish on its record last year. Glendale will host Joplin before concluding the regular season with a home game against Nixa on Thursday this week before the Class 5 District 6 tournament next week.

20. Borgia (17-5)

Last week: 19

After splitting a doubleheader with Washington, Borgia rebounded with three consecutive wins to close out last week. The Knights picked up 10-run wins over St. Clair and Union sandwiched a two-run win over Hermann. In the 12-2 win over Union, Jack Nobe got the win going 5 2/3 innings with 12 strikeouts and one earned run on five hits. He also scored three runs and hit a home run at the plate.

21. St. Elizabeth (16-7)

Last week: 21

St. Elizabeth has gone back and forth in the last four games with two wins over Crocker and Battle around two losses to Blair Oaks and Camdenton. The Hornets rattled through an 11-run victory over Crocker. Eli Kemna led the offense with three hits and an RBI. Caleb Oligschlaeger had two RBIs and a home run in the win while Noah Chipman added two RBIs. St. Elizabeth awaits either Hermitage or Tuscumbia in the Class 1 District 8 semifinal round.

22. Russellville (20-8)

Last week: 16

The Indians have scuffled a bit at the beginning of May. Russellville has dropped three straight with games to South Callaway and Capital City to cap out the week. Russellville will look to rebound with three games on the final week of the regular season before kicking off the Class 2 District 5 tournament next week.

23. Fort Zumwalt South (19-6-1)

Last week: 22

After stumbling in the final week of April, Fort Zumwalt South has rebounded when the calendar turned. Fort Zumwalt South split a pair against Chaminade to cap the week and snap a five-game winning streak. In a 13-0 shutout victory over Fort Zumwalt East, Evan Fulhorst went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Connor Henke got the win with four innings pitched and three strikeouts.

24. CBC (22-12)

Last week: 24

The CBC collected its fourth season in a row with 20 wins or more. In a 3-2 Cadets victory over Staley, Tyler Ellis got the win, going 5 1/3 innings with one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts. Logan Winkleman got the offense going with a two-run double while Miles Birke went 1-for-2 with a run scored and one RBI. The Cadets will host Jackson in the regular-season finale.

25. Park Hills Central (17-2)

Last week: NR

The Rebels break into the rankings after taking home the MAAA Conference tournament with three consecutive wins. After suffering a 4-2 loss at West County, Park Hills Central got a chance for revenge with an 11-6 win in the semifinal round. It knocked off North County 9-5 to close out the tournament. Park Hills will host Hillsboro before a trip to Ellington to conclude the regular season.

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