It all comes down to this.
There is a tie at the top of this week’s Richland County softball power poll and the two teams will play twice this week. Depending on how the two games turn out, it could be a wrap in the chase for the power poll championship.
Let’s take a look at where each team stood and see who still has a chance to claim the Richland County softball power poll title.
9. Plymouth Big Red (1-14)
The Big Red lost all three games since the last power poll falling to Mapleton 11-0 and St. Paul twice, 14-5 and 27-3. It’s not going to get any easier this week with a Firelands Conference series against Crestview looming and a 14-game losing streak to try and get past.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Crestview, April 28; At Crestview, April 29; Vs. Buckeye Central, May 1; Vs. Western Reserve, May 4.
8. Lucas Cubs (4-8)
The Cubs went 1-3 since last week’s rankings beating Central Christian 19-1 before going on a three-game losing streak falling to Mount Gilead (13-3), Willard (30-8) and Crestline (6-5). Grace Green had two hits and four RBIs in the win over CC for a solid offensive day. The Cubs have some tough games looming as they prepare for the tournament draw this weekend. They have to make a big impression.
Upcoming schedule: At Crestline, April 28; Vs. Crestview, April 30; Vs. Mapleton, May 1; At Plymouth, May 2.
7. Madison Rams (9-7)
The Rams went 1-2 since the last power poll falling to Lexington twice, 10-7 and 6-4, before rebounding with a solid 6-2 win over Fredericktown. Lexi Lewis had three hits and two RBIs while Caliyah Clapper had two hits and two RBIs and was dominant in the circle with 12 strikeouts. The Rams are basically eliminated from Ohio Cardinal Conference contention, so they are switching their focus to the postseason where they always seem to play their best at the perfect time.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. West Holmes, April 28; At West Holmes, April 29; Vs. Northmor, May 1.
6. Lexington Lady Lex (8-9)
Lexington went 2-1 since the last power poll sweeping Madison 10-7 and 6-4 before dropping a close one to Highland, 5-2. The Madison sweep was huge for Lex’s confidence moving forward as they look to improve on some areas before the tournament draw this weekend. Mariana Molton and Rylie McGuire had two hits and two RBIs apiece in the Game 1 win over Madison and Mady Taylor delivered a late go-ahead RBI single igniting Lex to four runs over the final three innings to pull off the victory in Game 2. This team is going to be dangerous come postseason time and has a real shot at making a lot of noise in the power poll with a big one against Clear Fork looming.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Wooster, April 28; at Wooster, April 29; Vs. Clear Fork, May 1.
5. Mansfield Christian Flames (6-5)
The Flames have already made history. After an 18-0 win over Central Christian that helped them go 2-1 since last week’s rankings, the Flames clinched the Mid-Buckeye Conference championship, the first league title in program history. Bailee Nelson tossed a no-hitter and Cassidi Nelson had three hits and two RBIs to team up to bring the Flames a historic crown. It has been a great year for the Flames, who are going to be a very tough out in the postseason with their ability to score runs. Keep an eye on this team.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Central Christian, April 28; At Open Door Christian, May 4.
4. Crestview Cougars (6-5)
The Cougars are playing some exceptional softball right now. They are on a three-game winning streak after knocking off New London 15-5 in their only game since the last power poll. Bella Hillman had three hits and five RBIs while Mallory Ringler added four hits and four RBIs for two great days at the plate. The Cougars sit in second place in the Firelands Conference and will need to take care of business the rest of the way to have any shot at a league title. That May 6 game at home against Mapleton will be a big one.
Upcoming schedule: At Plymouth, April 28; Vs. Plymouth, April 29; At Lucas, April 30, Vs. St. Paul, May 4.
3. Clear Fork Colts (13-5)
The Colts may have seen their power poll championship hopes dashed after getting swept by Shelby 14-3 and 8-3, but they responded nicely with a sweep of West Holmes by matching 15-5 scores in a two-game nonconference series. The Colts are now 0-4 against the Top 2 teams in the power poll. Millie Chamberlain had a huge game with two hits and four RBIs with a home run while Presley Lilly had three hits and three RBIs in the Game 1 win over WH. Jada Brokaw had three hits and two RBIs and Lilly added two hits and two RBIs in Game 2. Clear Fork is going to be a tough team to knock out in the postseason in Division IV and could make a run at a district championship.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Highland, April 28; At Highland, April 29; At Lexington, May 1; At Hillsdale, May 2; At River Valley, May 4.
T1. Shelby Whippets (17-3)
The Whippets went 3-0 since the last power poll sweeping Clear Fork in convincing fashion 14-3 and 8-3 before pounding Bellevue 14-1 in an old-fashioned Northern Ohio League rivalry game. Elise Mullins is quietly having one of the most impressive seasons of all the Whippets. She is hitting .438 with 21 hits, five doubles, five home runs, 22 RBIs and 20 runs scored. Braylee Sturts had pushed her home run total to nine and also has 46 RBIs with 31 runs scored. If she isn’t an All-Ohioan, something is seriously wrong with softball’s postseason honors. The Whippets have an absolutely massive series looming before the tournament draw on Sunday. This one is going to be fun.
Upcoming schedule: At Ontario, April 28; Vs. Ontario, April 29; Vs. Pleasant, May 4.
T1. Ontario Warriors (16-4)
The Warriors bounced back from a tough Mid-Ohio Spring Classic to win three straight games since the last power poll. They swept Marion Harding 16-0 and 5-2 before picking up what might be their signature win in 2026 with an 8-6 win over Hillsdale. Morgan Pearson had three hits and four RBIs with a home run in that win. She also pitched well with nine strikeouts. She now has nine home runs on the season and Ellie Dawson has 11 while sporting a .508 batting average. The Warriors are going to need those two to set the tone in their series with Shelby this week.
Upcoming schedule: Vs. Shelby, April 28; At Shelby, April 29.
jfurr@usatodayco.com
740-244-9934
X: @JakeFurr11
Last week’s rankings
9. Plymouth Big Red
8. Lucas Cubs
7. Lexington Lady Lex
6. Mansfield Christian Flames
5. Crestview Cougars
4. Madison Rams
3. Shelby Whippets
2. Clear Fork Colts
1. Ontario Warriors
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County softball power poll’s No. 1 spot up for grabs this week
Reporting by Jake Furr, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
