SBLive Missouri high school baseball Power 25 rankings (May 29): Teams head to Ozark for championship week

Check out this week's SBLive Missouri Power 25 baseball rankings

Paul Halfacre | May 30, 2023

The penultimate rankings as the season ends this weekend.

Liberty North and Nixa headline a monster matchup in Class 6 while John Burroughs tangles with tournament Cinderella Fulton in a Class 4 semifinal round game.

Borgia and another upstart Webb City are set to go in Class 5 while St. Elizabeth looks to make it back-to-back titles in Class 1.

SBLIVE MISSOURI POWER 25 BASEBALL RANKINGS

Here's a look at the SBLive Missouri Power 25:

1. Liberty North (32-7)

Last week: 1

The defending Class 6 state champions continued their title defense with a 2-0 shutout victory over Rockhurst in the Class 6 quarterfinal round. Tate McGuire was effectively wild on Saturday, walking six batters while striking out eight. Ty Wisdom came on in relief to close out the victory. Liberty North will square off with Nixa in the Class 6 semifinal round on Friday.

2. Nixa (33-6)

Last week: 2

Down 3-1 after five innings, Nixa roared back to knock off Rockhurst 5-4 in the Class 6 quarterfinal round on Saturday. Tanner Grant collected the go-ahead RBI in the sixth inning with a two-run double before the Eagles locked up a spot in the Class 6 semifinal round for the first time since 1974. Nixa will square off with defending Class 6 champions on Friday.

3. Francis Howell (30-10)

Last week: 3

Francis Howell advanced to its sixth semifinal round since 2010 with an 8-1 win over De Smet on Saturday in the Class 6 quarterfinal round. Senior Brysen Nepute went the distance, giving up one run on two hits and striking out eight. Sophomore Leo Humbert went 1-for-4 with three RBIs, while Caleb Miller and Brett Norfleet collected two RBIs apiece in the win. The Vikings will take on Jackson on Friday in the Class 6 semifinal round.

4. Jackson (33-6)

Last week: 4

Jackson advanced to its first state semifinal round for the first time in program history after a 5-1 victory over Lafayette on Saturday in the Class 6 quarterfinal round. Jackson played small ball in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead before John Paul Sauer came on and got the win in relief. Jackson will play Francis Howell on Friday in the Class 6 semi-final round.

5. Springfield Catholic (20-7)

Last week: 6

In back-to-back years, Springfield Catholic barged into the semifinal round. Coleman Morrison threw a complete game, striking out 14 and giving up two hits in a 2-0 victory over Nevada in the Class 4 quarterfinal round. Logan Ripper provided the offense with a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth inning. Springfield Catholic will take on Excelsior Springs on Wednesday in the Class 4 semifinals

6. Portageville (34-2)

Last week: 7

The Bulldogs pounded their way back to the semifinal round with an 8-4 win over West County in the Class 3 quarterfinal round. Portageville scored six runs in the first inning before holding on for an 8-4 victory. The Bulldogs take their 21-game winning streak in the Class 3 semifinal round when it faces South Callaway on Tuesday in the semifinal round.

7. Fort Zumwalt South (25-6-1)

Last week: 17

Fort Zumwalt South advanced back to the semifinal round for the second time in three years with a 4-2 win over Summit in the Class 5 quarterfinal round. The Bulldogs' Carter Cox gave up two runs on five hits and struck out eight to pick up the win. Fort Zumwalt South will play Festus on Friday morning in the Class 5 semifinal round.

8. John Burroughs (26-3)

Last week: 18

Still undefeated against Missouri competition, John Burroughs blanked Kennett 4-0 in a Class 4 quarterfinal game last week. The Bombers will make their first appearance in the semifinal round since 2002. Bowen Brantingham tossed a one-hit shutout against the Indians to pick up a St. Louis-area-leading 10 wins on the mound. John Burroughs will face Fulton on Wednesday in the Class 4 quarterfinal round.

9. Borgia (24-5)

Last week: 13

Jack Nobe was nearly unhittable in the Class 5 quarterfinal game against Glendale. The junior went the distance, giving up two hits and striking out 10 while Kabren Koelling and Justin Mort collected RBI each to help Borgia defeat Glendale 2-0 in a Class 5 quarterfinal win. Borgia will take on Webb City on Friday in a Class 5 semifinal round.

10. Glendale (25-6)

Last week: 8

After blanking Willard in the Class 5 District 6 title game, Glendale couldn't muster any run support in the quarterfinal round, losing to Borgia 2-0 on Saturday in the Class 5 quarterfinal round.

11. Willard (28-10)

Last week: 5

Willard lost to Glendale in the Class 5 District 6 title game, 2-0.

12. St. Elizabeth (21-7)

Last week: 14

The defending Class 1 state champions advanced back to the semifinal round with a 6-4 win over Liberal in the Class 1 quarterfinal round. St. Elizabeth will take on Cooter in the Class 1 semifinal round on Monday.

13. Fulton (19-8)

Last week: 20

Fulton's magical ride continued after outlasting St. Charles West last week in a Class 4 quarterfinal round game. After blanking Macon in a sectional matchup, Fulton outslugged the Warriors after falling behind 4-0. But Fulton stormed back with seven-unanswered runs in the middle innings and held on just long enough to punch it's ticket to Ozark. Fulton will take on John Burroughs on Wednesday in the semifinal round.

14. Fort Zumwalt West (30-9)

Last week: 9

Fort Zumwalt West lost to Francis Howell in the Class 6 District 4 title game, 6-1

15. Blue Springs South (27-6)

Last week: 10

Blue Springs South lost to Blue Springs in the Class 6 District 5 title game, 5-3.

16. Logan-Rogersville (24-6)

Last week: 15

Logan-Rogersville lost to Springfield Catholic in the Class 4 District 10 title game, 2-1.

17. Rock Bridge (30-7)

Last week: 11

Rock Bridge lost to Blue Springs in the Class 6 District 5 title game, 12-3.

18. Valley Park (20-5)

Last week: 12

Lost to West County in the Class 3 sectional game last week 3-0 in extra innings.

19. Festus (25-8)

Last week: 25

The defending Class 5 runner-ups advanced back to the semifinal round with a 10-0 shutout victory over Clayton in the Class 5 quarterfinal. In the last three playoff wins, Festus has picked up three shutouts and outscored its opponents 25-0. Nate Moore got the six-inning win while Hayden Bates picked up three RBI and a home run in the blowout win. Festus will play Fort Zumwalt South on Friday in the Class 5 semifinal round.

20. Webb City (22-13)

Last week: NR

For the first time since 2010, Webb City advanced to the semifinal round with a 3-2 win over Kearney in the Class 5 quarterfinal round. Walker Sweet struck out the side in the final inning to complete the victory after Kaylor Darnell started the game and picked up the win. Webb City will take on Borgia on Friday in the Class 5 semifinal round.

21. Excelsior Springs (28-12)

Last week: NR

Excelsior Springs advanced to its first semifinal round since 2018 after a 7-2 win over Boonville in the Class 4 quarterfinal round last week. Excelsior Springs will take on Springfield Catholic in the Class 4 semifinal round on Wednesday evening.

22. Vianney (30-6)

Last week: 16

Vianney lost to Lafayette in the Class 6 District 2 title game 4-3 in nine innings. Isaiah Rose went six shutout innings and Will Geary and Peyton Walker collected two hits each in the loss.

23. Cooter (24-6)

Last week: NR

Cooter advanced to the Class 1 semifinal round for the first time since 2019 after a 14-3 beatdown of Greenwood in the Class 1 quarterfinal round. It survived a 2-1 victory in extra innings over Oran in the Sectional game. Cooter will take on defending Class 1 state champions St. Elizabeth on Monday morning.

24. Salisbury (23-1)

Last week: NR

The Panthers advanced to the Class 2 semifinal round with a 4-0 shutout victory over Putnam County in the quarterfinal round. It's the first time since 1988 that Salisbury has made the semifinal round. Salisbury will play Chaffee on Monday in the Class 2 semifinal round.

25. Lafayette (20-13-1)

Last week: 19

The Lancers' Cinderella run came to an end in the Class 6 quarterfinal round with a 5-1 loss to Jackson. Aiden Cizek collected the Lancers' lone RBI after drawing a bases-loaded walk.

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Published May 30, 2023

PAUL HALFACRE