Prep Baseball Report

Updated Illinois Power 25 Team Rankings



By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

The St. Rita train continues to roll on, as the Mustangs improved to 19-0 and remain at the top of the polls. St. Rita is only one of three Top 25 teams still clinging to an unblemished record after last week’s games. No. 10 Mundelein (16-0) and No. 11 Lincoln-Way West (12-0) have yet to suffer a defeat, too.

So why are they ranked only No. 10 and 11? The teams above them have played a far more difficult schedule. Teams like No. 6 Joliet Catholic, No. 5 Minooka and No. 4 Lemont seemingly play a ranked team every game.

Last week was a screwy stretch, to be sure. Last Monday, pretty much the entire state got wiped out by snow. Weather improved as the week got older, and some big matchups were played.

The updated Power 25 team rankings reflect the results from last week. A quick look at the updated rankings:

Climbing

+ Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin (13-1) continues to inch closer to the top, sliding up one to No. 2. The Cyclones will be put to the test this week, as they square off against conference rival Glenwood in a two-game set, and are also competing in the O’Fallon Invitational on Saturday.

+ Lincoln-Way North (9-1) is the biggest riser of the week. The Phoenix catapulted to No. 3 after edging previously unbeaten No. 4 Lemont in a 10-inning thriller on Saturday.

+ No. 14 Brother Rice (15-3) jumps five spots after winning its eighth straight game.

+ No. 15 Providence (12-4) is trending up after the Celtics won their ninth-straight game.

+ No. 16 Batavia (9-1-1) moves eight spots after enjoying an unblemished week.

Sinking

+ No. 19 Champaign Central (18-1) suffered its first loss of the season to Normal West last week. The Maroons will play their cross-town rival Champaign Centennial in a two-game set this week.

+ No. 24 St. Joseph-Ogden (14-1) split a doubleheader with Immaculate Conception on Saturday.

+ No. 9 St. Laurence got shut out by De La Salle last week, and dropped seven spots.

New to the Top 25

+ No. 22 Grant (14-1) moves back into the top 25 after dropping out the previous week.

+ No. 23 Benet (9-4) made a statement on Saturday when it swept its East Suburban Catholic opener against No. 25 Carmel (11-3-1) on Saturday. Carmel dropped 15 spots after getting swept at home.

Dropped out of the top 25

+ Geneva and Homewood-Flossmoor

Just missed the cut

+ Richards, New Trier, Geneva and Nazareth

Big Matchups this Week

Tuesday, April 22
No. 19 Champaign Central at Champaign Centennial 6:30
Chatham Glenwood at No. 2 Sacred Heart-Griffin 4:30
No. 18 Huntley at Jacobs 4:30
Alton at No. 13 O’Fallon 4:15

Wednesday, April 23
No. 2 Sacred-Heart Griffin at Chatham Glenwood 4:30

Thursday, April 24
Champaign Centennial at No. 19 Champaign Central 4:30
Jacobs at No. 18 Huntley 4:30
Bradley-Bourbonnais at No. 11 Lincoln-Way West 4:30
St. Charles East at No. 16 Batavia 4:30

Saturday, April 25
Chicago Catholic Blue openers:
No. 14 Brother Rice at No. 6 Mount Carmel, 11
No. 15 Providence at No. 9 St. Laurence, 11
No. 1 St. Rita at Loyola, 11

CLICK HERE to view complete Power 25 Team Rankings

2014 IL Scout Blog Slide