After games on Saturday, April 7

Last year, SLUH's 24-0 start ended abruptly in the Class 4 quarterfinals with its first and only loss to eventual champ Francis Howell. This year, with only six seniors graduated, expectations were tempered with the loss of ace Sash Kuebel and the preseason surgery of Mitch Klug.

Apparently, this has all mattered little for the Junior Billikens, who are off to a similar hot start at 8-1 behind the play of pitcher Brian Howard and debut in this week's POWERADE FAB 50 at No. 49.

Here are this week's rankings (last week's rankings in parentheses):

1. SLUH 8-1 (2)

Junior Billikens have overcome injuries and won six straight games.

2. Vianney (Kirkwood) 10-2 (1)

Golden Griffins saw their 10-game win streak snapped in a loss to Chaminade. Two of their next four games come against ranked opponents (No. 1 SLUH and No. 6 Francis Howell).

3. Francis Howell Central (St. Charles) 9-3 (4)

Spartans will put their five-game win streak on the line against No. 6 Francis Howell on Saturday.

Click here for the full POWERADE weekly Missouri baseball rankings