Sometimes, it not how you start the race, it’s how you finish.
For the 2026 Richland County baseball power poll champions, the race for this year’s title started several seasons ago when they were in the midst of the worst stretch in program history. Now, the champs are on their way back to program glory again and it will start with the 2026 Richland County baseball power poll title.
Let’s see who it is and how it got here with the final rankings of the season.
10. Mansfield Senior Tygers (0-21)
The Tygers ended the regular season winless after falling to Sandusky 30-2 last week. It’s been a rough 2026 campaign for the Tygers as they scored just 11 runs on the season and allowed 400. This came after one of the most successful seasons in the last decade plus in 2025. They have a tournament game left where they hope to grab that elusive win No. 1.
Upcoming schedule: At Lima Shawnee, May 19.
9. Mansfield Christian Flames (1-14)
The Flames end the regular season 1-14 after falling to Western Reserve 7-1 and Plymouth 12-2 last week. They struggled to stay on the field consistently due to weather and lack of conference opponents, but they did earn a win this season beating Vanlue 22-2 back on April 18. They hope to be upset minded in the postseason.
Upcoming schedule: At Monroeville, May 23.
8. Lucas Cubs (7-9)
The Cubs finished the regular season 7-9 and on a four game losing streak. Since last week’s rankings, they lost to East Knox 12-5 and St. Paul 6-0. They have the pitching to do some special things in the postseason with two very live arms, so don’t count these guys out of anything just yet. They have some things to continue to play for.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Buckeye Central, May 22.
7. Clear Fork Colts (9-16)
The Colts didn’t play since last week’s rankings as they wanted to take some time to rest up and get ready for a huge tournament game against Shelby on May 20. At 9-16, it isn’t exactly where they wanted to be this season, but the Colts played a ton of young guys at key positions. This year will be looked back on as the year guys grew up with live experience. But never count the Colts out in the postseason. These guys know how to make deep tournament runs.
Upcoming schedule: At Shelby, May 20.
6. Crestview Cougars (9-10)
The Cougars split a pair of games since the last power poll, beating Mapleton 21-5 before losing to Shelby 8-1. Kayn Patton had three hits and two RBIs and Drew Spoerr added two hits and three RBIs in the big win over Mapleton. That win ended a five-game losing streak to Firelands Conference opponents in a big way. Now, the Cougars hope to knock off an FC opponent in the postseason to keep their season alive.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Northmor, May 19, Vs. New London, May 23.
5. Ontario Warriors (12-11)
The Warriors dropped their only game since the last power poll, falling to Madison 4-3 thanks to a bases-loaded walk. Its been an up and down season for the Warriors, but with tournament time quickly approaching, this team knows a thing or two about making an improbable postseason run. They have the talent to do it again, if they can put it all together.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Clyde, May 21.
4. Shelby Whippets (12-10)
The Whippets brought a positive end to their 2026 regular season with an 8-1 win over Crestview behind a two-hit, two-RBI day from Kaleb Stairs. This kid has had a Mansfield News Journal Player of the Year caliber season. He is hitting .425 with 31 hits, six doubles, two home runs, 23 RBIs and 16 runs scored. On the mound, he is 6-3 with two saves, 43 strikeouts and a 2.14 earned run average. With the way he is playing, the Whippets could make a solid postseason run and maybe upset a team or two along the way.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Clear Fork, May 20.
3. Lexington Minutemen (16-9)
The Minutemen put together a great 2026 season going 16-9 with the most wins in Richland County. They beat Galion 9-4 last week before falling to Highland 2-0 in a game that kept them from winning the power poll championship. Still, Lexington, under first-year coach JR Davis, have done some great things in the regular season and hope to keep it rolling in postseason play as they look for a district championship.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Tiffin Columbian, May 19.
2. Plymouth Big Red (14-8)
After a 12-2 win over Mansfield Christian, the Big Red have now won seven straight games to close out the 2026 regular season on an extremely high note. Lincoln Distl had two hits, two RBIs and a home run in the win while Lex Grose and Lucas Distl teamed up to toss five innings of dominant baseball with eight combined strikeouts. Plymouth had a legitimate case to be the No. 1 team after a hot finish, but losses to Crestview and Shelby carried some weight.
1. Madison Rams (11-14)
Your 2026 Richland County baseball power poll champions are the Madison Rams. Crazy to think with an 11-14 record? Well, when you consider they went 3-25 in 2025, 6-20 in 2024, 9-16 in 2023, 6-19 in 2022, 8-17 in 2021 and 4-23 in 2019. That’s 36 wins in six seasons and the Rams are already at 11 in 2026. The last double-digit win season came in 2018 when the Rams won 14 games. Baseball in Richland County is so much better when the Rams are playing well and this year, they have absolutely turned a corner. Head coach Jayson Stone and his staff deserve a lot of credit for changing the attitude within the program that losing is OK. Players like Liam Stone, Ashton Taylor, Aiden Proctor and Kylor Steagall have led the charge for the Rams to return to the high program standards set by those in the early 2000s. This is the start of something special and the Rams will be held to a higher standard from here on out. This year, they went 7-1 against Richland County teams with two wins over Lexington, Mansfield Senior and Ontario and a win over Shelby. They also beat Highland on May 12 to pretty much seal the deal for the top spot this season.
jfurr@usatodayco.com
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
Last week’s rankings
10. Mansfield Senior Tygers (0-20)
9. Mansfield Christian Flames (1-12)
8. Crestview Cougars (8-9)
7. Lucas Cubs (7-7)
6. Clear Fork Colts (9-16)
5. Ontario Warriors (12-10)
4. Shelby Whippets (11-10)
3. Madison Rams (10-14)
2. Plymouth Big Red (13-8)
1. Lexington Minutemen (15-8)
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County baseball power poll title proves Madison baseball is back
Reporting by Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
