By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Climbing

No. 7 Providence climbs to No. 3 after an impressive 3-1 week with an impressive sweep over then No. 15 St. Laurence. The Celtics also took down previously undefeated St. Rita on Saturday 6-4 behind senior RHP Brent Villasenor. The Mustangs remain at No. 1, having defeated Providence on Wednesday 6-5.  Villasenor had two big wins during the week, also beating St. Laurence on Monday.

No. 11 Nazareth climbs back into the top ten after a perfect 6-0 week, sweeping St. Patrick’s, Benet, and Carmel in ESCC action.

No. 8 Lincoln-Way West rides a six game winning streak into the top ten, and has won 15 of their last 16, with the only loss being a 1-0 pitcher’s duel with Bradley-Bourbonnais.

New No. 9 Prairie Ridge rides a 16-game winning streak into the top ten, up from No. 24 last week. The Wolves, a perennial state tournament finalist, have quietly flown under the radar, but not anymore.

Jacobs rounds out the Top 10 thanks to a big win over then No. 2 Mount Carmel, handing the Caravan only their second loss on the year in the non-conference showdown.

Sinking

No. 13 Champaign Central and No. 15 Joliet Catholic both had multiple losses this week, dropping them out of the top ten. The Hilltoppers have now lost three games in the final inning when leading: to No. 6 Nazareth, and this week to Oswego and Marian Central Catholic.

Champaign Central suffered tough losses against Normal West and Peoria Richwoods, two teams on the rise receiving votes for the Power 25.

New to the Power 25

+ No. 18 Oak Park (17-4)
+ No. 19 Fenwick (15-5)
+ No. 21 Champaign Centennial (19-3)
+ No. 23 Waubonsie Valley (17-3)
+ No. 24 Crystal Lake South (17-4)
+ No. 25 Geneseo (21-1)

Dropped Out

+ Marist
+ St. Laurence
+ Morton
+ Lincoln-Way North
+ Mahomet Seymour
+ Niles Notre Dame

Just Missed the Cut

+ Galesburg (16-3)
+ Simeon (14-3)
+ Morton (21-4)
+ Neuqua Valley (17-4)
+ Peoria Richwoods (16-5)
+ Benton (22-4)
+ Downers Grove South (17-3)

CLICK HERE to view the complete Updated Power 25

On The Bubble: Galesburg (16-3), Simeon (14-3), Morton (21-4), Neuqua Valley (17-4), Downers Grove South (17-3), Benton (22-4), Peoria Richwoods (16-5), St. Joseph-Ogden (20-4), Normal West (16-7-1), Niles Notre Dame (16-6), Cary Grove (15-6-2), Lincoln-Way North (17-7-1), Lockport (13-6), Mahomet Seymour (17-3), Evanston (17-5-1), Burlington Central (19-5), Barrington (18-6), Coal City (20-5), Prospect (17-5), Glenbrook North (16-5), Princeville (22-1), O’Fallon (17-8), Waterloo (18-7-1), Teutopolis (15-4-1), Pontiac (15-8)