By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

For the first time in two months there’s a new No. 1-ranked team in Illinois. St. Rita has commanded the top spot since April 6 and has held it rather convincingly up until late.

The rigors of conference play, coupled with the loaded Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Tournament, the likes of St. Rita, St. Laurence, Lemont, Joliet Catholic Academy, Mount Carmel, Brother Rice and Minooka have been beating each other up throughout the season. Everyone has beaten everyone that it has turned the top of the rankings into a bloody mess.

Meanwhile, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, which has been a top 5 team all season, catapults up to No. 1. While the Cyclones’ strength of schedule doesn’t compare to the aforementioned teams, they have a loaded roster and have handled their business as expected.

Lincoln-Way North, which features arguably the deepest pitching staff in the state, moves up to No. 2. Joliet Catholic is once again trending up as it nears the playoffs. Just as they did last year, the 3A defending champion Hilltoppers made a run in the Bajenski Tournament, advancing to the championship by defeating St. Rita’s Mike Costanzo and Providence’s Jake Godfrey.

Climbing

+ No.  8 Batavia is red-hot entering the playoffs, having won 19 straight.

+ No. 9 Minooka took two of three from No. 18 Plainfield North to win the Southwest Prairie championship last week.

+ No. 19 Boylan remains the team to beat in the Rockford area and jumps four spots.

+ Quietly, No. 20 Lyons Township has gotten hot as of late. The Lions have a tough regional final draw in which they will likely face West Suburban Silver rival Oak Park. Oak Park won the 4A title in 2012 by defeating Lyons in the championship game.

New to the Top 25

+ Benet
+ Huntley
+ Teutopolis
+ Oak Forest

Dropped Out

+ Downers Grove South
+ Sandburg
+ Richards
+ Carmel

Just Missed the Cut

+ Peoria Notre Dame
+ St. Joseph-Ogden
+ Homewood-Flossmoor
+ Morris
+ Grant
+ Lockport
+ Maine South

CLICK HERE to view the Power Top 25 Team Rankings