With another week of the Illinois’ high school baseball season behind us, it’s time for our second update to our ‘Large School’ rankings. 

At ScoutConnect, we break our IHSA rankings into two different categories, grouping the 3A and 4A into a ‘Large’ school bucket, while doing the same for the 1A and 2A programs as ‘Small’ schools.

For a look at last week’s rankings, click HERE. 

It’s important to note that these rankings do not cover the entire state. Our coverage map extends from Peoria on down, and only teams that fall underneath the Peoria line on the state map will be included within our rankings all season long. It’s also important to note that these are just initial rankings, and they will fluctuate throughout as the season rolls on and gameplay 

It’s a relatively quiet week for the rankings, with much of the board staying the same, or shifting up or down a few spots. With that being said, we do have some movement, including a team jumping back in our board, which you can read more about below. 

AT THE TOP…

+ The top seven teams in our rankings all remain the same, and in the same order, from a week ago. Despite a few losses here and there throughout that group, we didn’t feel like anything in particular warranted a drop, or a bump up, for any of those seven teams. One team in particular we did want to highlight was No. 3 Normal U-High (19-2), as the Pioneers won all of their five games this week, and have lost just once since Saturday, March 28th. 

ON THE RISE…

+ Waterloo (10-4) and Washington (14-5) are the two biggest risers from this week’s update. The Bulldogs bump up to No. 8 on our board after a 2-1 week, in which they split with rival Mascoutah (2-1 L, 10-2 W) and also beat Mt. Vernon 9-6. Washington jumps into our top 10 for the first time, at No. 10, after a perfect 4-0 week. They swept a conference series with Limestone (11-1, 12-3), defeated Richwoods (9-0), and ended the week with a 4-1 win over ranked Glenwood. The Panthers have won eight straight games heading into today’s conference matchup with East Peoria. 

+ Mahomet-Seymour (15-4), and Morton (14-5) are each up one spot in this update, now at No. 13 and No. 14, respectively. 

DROPPING DOWN…

+ O’Fallon (13-8) and East Peoria (13-6) are each down one tick on our board from where they were a week ago. The Panthers, now at No. 9, went 2-1, sweeping Belleville East (8-2, 8-2), but dropping an in-between game to Columbia (5-4). As for the Raiders, who are slotted at No. 12, they went 2-2 on the week, splitting their conference series with Dunlap (4-0 L, 3-2 W) and also splitting a Saturday set with Springfield (7-2 W, 5-4 L). Glenwood (15-3) is down two spots at No. 11, but that’s mostly because of the four spot jump up that Washington (14-5) made. The Titans lost to the Panthers on Saturday 4-1, but beat Rochester (16-6) and Springfield Southeast (19-0) during the week. 

+ Mt. Zion (11-7) fell out of the rankings for the first time this spring. The Braves went 1-3 on the week, splitting a conference series with Charleston (5-1 W, 7-3 L), while also dropping games to Teutopolis (14-4) and Morton (7-4). 

WELCOME BACK…

+ Metamora (14-4) jumps back into the rankings in this update at No. 15. The Redbirds had a 4-0 week, sweeping Canton (7-2, 8-1) in conference play, while also taking both games from Moline (4-2, 7-6) on Saturday. 

JUST MISSED…

+ Champaign Central (13-5): After opening the season on our preseason rankings and struggling a touch from the jump, the Maroons appear to have found their stride. They’ve won five straight games, including a victory over No. 1 Normal Community, and currently sit in first place in their conference. 

+ Charleston (12-3): The Trojans have racked up some impressive wins on their resume throughout the spring and are certainly a team we’re keeping an eye on. This week alone they took down three strong opponents in Teutopolis, Mt. Zion, and St. Anthony. 

+ Belleville West (9-8-1): Despite not having the prettiest record, the Maroons find a way to compete each and every day. They split a conference series with Southwestern powerhouse Edwardsville, beating the Tigers 12-2, and falling to them in a tight 2-1 Thursday contest. 

+ Marion (13-6): The Wildcats caught our eye with a Monday victory over Jackson (MO), who’s the top team on our Missouri rankings. They won their only other game of the week as well, taking down Sikeston 12-4.