By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

Action around the state was plentiful last week as spring weather began to take over.  Today we take a look at the week that was and how it affected the Power 25 team rankings.

Saint Xavier remains in the top spot.  The Tigers had wins over Brentwood Academy (TN) and Male last week and are on an 11 game win streak.  The pitching has been stellar, led by seniors Sam Melchior and Ben Britt, and sophomore Grant Wessling.  Saint Xavier sits at 15-1 on the season.

Central Hardin stays in the No.2 spot, despite losing its first game of the season, a 2-1 decision to Russell County.  The Bruins stand at 15-1 and have had marquis wins over Woodford County and Male.  Senior Drew Harrington has been lights out on the mound.

Collins moves up two spots to take over the No.3 position.  No team is hotter than the Titans who have reeled off 19 straight wins to begin the season to sit at 19-0.  Juniors Zac Wiley and Mason Jeffries have been red-hot at the plate, and senior Austin Perry is dealing on the mound.

Paul Laurence Dunbar jumps three spots to No.4.  The Bulldogs had an impressive 5-0 week with wins over Lexington Catholic, Lexington Christian Academy, and West Jessamine.  Joey Avioli, Grant Herald, and Michael Marsh are leading the offense.  Aaron Ochsenbein and Hunter Martin lead the pitching staff that has compiled a 1.82 ERA on the season.  PLD stands at 14-2 on the year.

Lexington Catholic drops two spots to No.5.  The Knights have suffered through a few key injuries to Louisville recruit Logan Taylor and Michigan recruit Trey Miller.  Taylor has returned to the top of the lineup and should spark the offense.  Seniors Tom Banahan, Evan Fraliex, and Corey Wells have been extremely good on the mound.  Lexington Catholic has played a tough schedule and sits at 10-4 on the year.

Other Key Notes:

Bullitt East reamains one of two undefeated teams in the state (Collins is the other) and set a school record with it's 15th consecutive win and stand at 15-0.  The Chargers remain in the No.8 spot.  Senior Hunter Wood is on a tear at the plate.

Henderson County makes the biggest leap, jumping eight spots to No.14 after a 3-0 week improves them to 11-5.  Senior Sam Higgs and junior Marty Coursey lead the pitching staff, and junior Kaleb Duckworth continues to swing a hot bat.

Hazard, fresh off a 2-1 win over No.6 Woodford County in which 8th grader Kameron Conley allowed 1 run over 8 1/3 innings, jumps six spots to No.19.  The Bulldogs hae won 13 of their last 14 games and are now 15-3 overall.  Seniors Jordan Olinger, Austin Johnson, and Evan Whitaker are leading the way for Hazard.

South Laurel is the lone new entrant at No.24 with a 4-0 week and solid wins over Harlan County and Somerset.  The Cardinals are 11-3 on the season, and sophomore Daniel Neal is getting hot at the plate having clubbed three home runs in the four games last week.

CLICK HERE to see the updated Power 25 Team Rankings