By Ethan Silverman
Missouri Scouting Director

Once again rain prevented most teams from playing a full schedule last week. No change in the top six teams in the state, but lots of movement below.

A recap of the week:

- For the second straight week, Westminster (15-3) is the top-ranked team in Missouri. The Wildcats did drop a game this week to now No. 24 Rockwood Summit, but remain one of the strongest teams in the state.  The Class Four team has competed mostly against larger Class five teams, and as they enter conference play this week, look to continued success. Coach Van Gilst has his team running on all cylinders, and an always competitive matchup against Lutheran South this week will put them into the drivers seat in the Metro League Conference.

- No. 2 Parkway North (10-3) went 2-1 this week, with a quality win over Rockwood Summit. Hope is now 3-0 on the season, and seems to be the catalyst for this team. Daniel Brodsky, Garrett Taylor, Ben Campbell and company continue to find their way on base, with Taylor providing the power

- No. 3 Francis Howell (15-4) keeps on rolling, going 5-1 this week behind its ace, Calvin Munson and the offense of Elijah Dilday, Zac Perkins, Nic Perkins, and under the radar Nate Green. A double header sweep of Hickman on Friday, followed by a come from behind win Saturday against Cape Central before falling to No. 18 Vianney showed the depth of this team, playing five games in four days.

- No. 5 Blue Springs South (6-1) has only been on the field seven times this season, including practice, and won their only game of the week last week. The Jaguars have 5 games on the docket and this could be a make or break week for them

- No. 5 Notre Dame improved to 14-2 after defeating No. 16 Poplar Bluff and Farmington, and getting tripped by Jackson on a rare home Loss. Justin Landewee continues to give Note Dame a chance to win every time he toes the rubber, as well an contributing at the plate.

+ No. 6 Jefferson City (12-2) is on quite a roll, and have quietly moved up the rankings the past few weeks. Quality wins over Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit North keep Jefferson City at the No. 6 spot in the state 

- No. 7 CBC (10-3) went unbeaten last week (3-0). The Cadets won a pair of close games, and had a blowout win to jump two spots. Matchups against No. 21 DeSmet and No. 12 SLUH this week highlight the schedule for CBC, who should continue to inch their way to the top of the rankings.

- No. 8 Ladue improved to 11-1. The Rams handed No. 12 SLUH their first loss of the season, and from the looks of the next few weeks of games, Ladue has a shot at finishing the regular season with only one loss on their record.

- No. 9 Carthage (11-0) remains undefeated and moves up five spots. Drew Bridges continues to carry this team with his bat and on the mound, while Gabe Franklin is complimenting Bridges batting over .500. Carthage has found success without major contribution from Seth Beckner. If Beckner can get going, there aren’t many teams that will stand in Carthage’s way.

- No. 10 Rock Bridge (10-3), unranked at the start of the season dropped a slugfest to Booneville (15-13), but responded with a convincing 12-4 victory over Southern Boone. Coach Towe’s young team continues to impress and will be tested this week against No. 25 Wentzville Holt HS on Wednesday and the Lebanon Tournament over the weekend.

- No. 11 Lee’s Summit West (9-2) is showing they can win with their back against the wall, collecting two extra inning wins. PBR was on hand Saturday as the Titans outlasted Raymore-Peculiar for a 2-1 win in 14 innings.

- No. 12 St. Louis University High (13-1) was tripped up by No. 8 Ladue last Thursday, despite a good outing by RHP Brian Howard. SLUH has a challenge this week against No. 18 Vianney, which has been on fire this past week. Look for Howard on the mound for that contest.

- No. 13 Rockhurst (7-3) went 1-1 on the week, and face No. 11 Lee’s Summit West today.

- No. 14 Holden  (9-2) is another team that continues to impress, winning four games last week. Dylan Riley continues to stand out at the plate and on the mound.

-No. 15 Poplar Bluff (10-2) jumped seven spots following wins over Oakville and Farmington. Wesley Pyles and Josh King keep pitching and hitting their way to carry the load for the Mules.

-No. 16 Malden (15-2) has been on a roll as of late behind the offensive output and pitching of Tanner Murphy, who went 13-for-15 in the Malden Tournament over the weekend, and struck out 15 in the championship game.

- No. 17 Vianney (12-5) after a rough patch a few weeks ago, Vianney looks to be back on track, defeating now No. 21 DeSmet and No. 3 Francis Howell and outscoring their opponents 26-13 last week (4-0). The Griffin’s big matchup this week is on Tuesday against No. 12 St. Louis University High.

- No. 18 Staley (9-1)

- No. 19 Forsyth (10-1) finally cracked the top 25 after winning three last week. Their only loss on the season came a few weeks ago at the hands of Stillwater HS (OK). Sophomore Jay Kauffman continues to be the spark for Forsyth on the mound and at the plate.

-No. 20 Santa Fe (4-2) a 2-0 win over Cairo followed by a 11-0 loss to Sturgen knocked Santa Fe down a few spots. Santa Fe and Sturgeon both made the Class One Final Four in 2012, and Santa Fe will be looking for payback if they meet again.

- No. 21 DeSmet (11-3) holds the No. 21 spot after going 1-1 on the week, nearly getting knocked off by Chaminade and losing to a Timberland team who is on the cusp of breaking into the Top 25.

- No. 22 Pacific (5-3) lost their only contest last week, falling to Washington 9-2.

- No. 23 Oran (7-4) lost twice last week (both on Saturday), dropping to No. 23.

- No. 24 Rockwood Summit (13-6) took the biggest tumble of the week. After big wins against Seckman and No. 1 Westminster to start the week, Summit lost three in a row to DeSoto, Seckman, and Parkway North. Things don’t get any easier for Summit this week, as they square off against Parkway North again tomorrow.

- No. 25 Wentzville Holt (10-2) cracks the top 25. Winners of eight in a row, including a big win to finish the week Friday against Timberland. Holt has been on a roll as of late and will be challenged this week with games against No. 10 Rock Bridge on Wednesday and No. 3 Francis Howell on Saturday.

- Dropping out of the top 25: Liberty, Seckman

- Narrowly missing top 25 inclusion: Timberland (10-2), Springfield Catholic (8-2), Neosho (11-3), and Clever (8-3)