Should we just give them the title now?
With two weeks until we crown a Richland County softball power poll champion, the No. 1 team may have just run away with the title.
Let’s find out who that is and where everyone else ranks in this week’s power poll.
9. Plymouth Big Red (2-17)
The Big Red went 1-3 since the last power poll getting swept by Crestview with matching 12-1 losses before beating Buckeye Central 15-11 and losing to Western Reserve 16-9. The win over BC ended a 16-game losing streak as Zarah Plank and Makayla Cunningham had three hits and two RBIs apiece. They hope they can take advantage of a second season with the tournament comes around.
Upcoming schedule: At Western Reserve, May, 5; At Seneca East, May 7; Vs. Mt. Gilead, May 9; Vs. South Central, May 12.
8. Lucas Cubs (5-8)
The Cubs won their only game since the last power poll beating Crestline 21-7 behind Destiny Foss with three hits and two RBIs while Myah Midkiff had two hits and three RBIS and Charlize Stinehour and Chelsea Sweet had a hit and three RBIs apiece. Sweet smashed a home run in the victory as the Cubs’ offense came alive. They need to carry that into the postseason.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Wynford, May 5; At Willard, May 7; At Bucyrus, May 13.
7. Madison Rams (10-9)
The Rams went 1-2 since the last power poll beating West Holmes 11-1 before falling in Game 2 of the series to WH, 14-4 and Centerburg 8-5. Lexi Lewis had a great day at the plate in the win over WH with four hits and two RBIs while Allie Shrader had three hits and five RBIs The Rams have been up and down all year long, but if there is one thing they are known for, it is taking advantage of tournament time and going on a long run. They have some time to regroup and get things rolling.
Upcoming schedule: At Massillon Washington, May 7; At Mount Vernon, May 9; At Marysville, May 9; At Dover, May 12.
6. Crestview Cougars (8-5)
The Cougars went 2-1 since the last power poll sweeping Plymouth with matching 12-1 scores in the two-game series before falling to St. Paul 12-10. In Game 1, Bria White had two hits and five RBIs while Carlee Crider added four hits and two RBIs. In Game 2, White smashed two home runs and had four RBIs for one heck of a two-game stretch. The Cougars’ loss to St. Paul put them two-games back in the Firelands Conference race and they no longer control their own destiny. They still have time to build some momentum before the postseason rolls around.
Upcoming schedule: At St. Paul, May 5; Vs. Mapleton, May 6; Vs. Shelby, May 8; At Monroeville, May 9; At Western Reserve, May 12.
5. Lexington Lady Lex (10-9)
Lady Lex went 2-0 since the last power poll sweeping Wooster 9-5 and 8-3. Mariana Molton had one heck of a series with two hits and three RBIs with a home run in Game 1 and a two-run homer in Game 2 and was the winning pitcher in both games. Quinn Patrick had three hits and two RBIs in Game 2 for a solid offensive day. Lexington is going to be a tricky out in the postseason where it could match up with Ontario in the district semifinals in a highly anticipated rematch from the first game of the season when Ontario won 6-5 in a walk off. That’s going to be fun.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Ashland, May 5; At Ashland, May 6; Vs. Norwalk, May 11.
4. Mansfield Christian Flames (10-5)
The Flames are on a solid run winning seven of their last eight games including their last five in a row. Since the last power poll, they beat Central Christian 20-6, Allen East twice 8-2 and 11-2 and Open Door Christian 23-5. Cassidi Nelson has been a terror at the dish hitting .621 with 36 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 31 RBIs and 27 runs scored. She needs to be talked about in the Mansfield News Journal Player of the Year conversation. The Flames have already wrapped up the Mid-Buckeye Conference championship and now have to get ready for the tournament.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Mount Gilead, May 7; Vs. Western Reserve, May 8.
3. Clear Fork Colts (17-5)
The Colts might be playing as well as anyone in the power poll right now with a 4-0 record since last week’s rankings. They beat Highland 10-1, Mapleton 5-1, Highland again 7-4 and Hillsdale 1-0. Those are four high-quality victories over some great teams. Miley Shafer has been pitching very well with her best performance coming against Hillsdale allowing just three hits with three strikeouts in a complete-game shutout. Against Mapleton, she allowed just four hits to a previously undefeated team. She is now 16-5 with a 3.11 earned run average with 82 strikeouts. The Colts have a case for the No. 1 spot, but they are 0-4 against the Top 2 teams.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. River Valley, May 6; Vs Fredericktown, May 8; At Northmor, May 9.
2. Ontario Warriors (17-5)
The Warriors split their two games since the last power poll beating Shelby 12-10 in nine innings before falling to the Whippets 9-3 in Game 2. Morgan Pearson ripped a 3-run home run in the top of the ninth to give the Warriors the lead for good. She had three hits and three RBIs while Brinlee Kreger had a hit and three RBIs and Saylor Smith and Ellie Dawson had two hits and two RBIs apiece. Smith slugged a solo home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game and eventually send it to extras. With the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference race pretty much decided with River Valley owning a commanding three-game lead, the Warriors will flip the switch to postseason prep where they have district title aspirations.
Upcoming schedule: At Highland, May 5; Vs. Highland, May 6; At Ashland, May 8; At Centerburg, May 11.
1. Shelby Whippets (19-4)
The Whippets take control of the top spot after going 2-1 since the last power poll. They lost to Ontario by two before beating the Warriors by six in Game 2 giving them the edge. And, they did it without superstar shortstop Braylee Sturts who was in an automobile accident the day before the series started and missed both games with minor injuries. She was back for a 9-3 win over Pleasant with two hits and an RBI. Kendall Bowman stepped up big in Game 2 against Ontario with three hits and three RBIs with a home run. She has a .534 batting average with 39 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 37 RBIs and 34 runs scored for an All-Ohio caliber season. The Whippets can put the finishing touches on a Richland County softball power poll season this week.
Upcoming schedule: At Pleasant, May 6; At Crestview, May 8.
Last Week’s Rankings
9. Plymouth Big Red
8. Lucas Cubs
7. Madison Rams
6. Lexington Lady Lex
5. Mansfield Christian Flames
4. Crestview Cougars
3. Clear Fork Colts
T1. Shelby Whippets
T1. Ontario Warriors
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County softball power poll’s No. 1 spot in firm grasp
Reporting by Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
