With the Ohio High School Athletic Association softball tournament brackets officially set and the regular season reaching its conclusion, the path to Akron is coming into focus.
For local high school softball fans, the Eastern District race is shaping up to be a collision course of heavyweights.
While many teams are still finding their footing, three local programs − Caldwell, John Glenn and Meadowbrook − have separated themselves as the definitive teams to beat.
The East 1 and East 2 brackets are particularly top-heavy this year. Caldwell (15-3) enters as a strong No. 1 seed, carrying the target that comes with being the district’s top seed. Meanwhile, John Glenn (19-3) has parlayed a dominant spring into a No. 2 seed and a top 10 state ranking, despite a deep field that includes a veteran Meadowbrook squad (15-6) looking to extend its historic postseason streak to four consecutive trips to the OHSAA regionals.
From the high-velocity pitching in New Concord to the explosive bats in Noble County and the veteran poise and experience in Byesville, these three programs represent the area’s best chance at a deep regional run.
As sectional play kicks off May 11 (runs through May 16), all eyes will be on whether this “Big Three” can maintain their momentum when the stakes turn to win or go home.
CALDWELL
JOHN GLENN
MEADOWBROOK
Local contenders looking to catch fire
Beyond the frontrunners, several other area programs are entering the postseason with a “spoiler” mentality. Cambridge (8-17) has been battle-tested by a grueling schedule, making them a potentially dangerous out in they find early rhythm. Buckeye Trail (5-17) enters the postseason relying on a defensive discipline and “small ball” to take advantage of opponents’ miscues.
Shenandoah (10-14) looms as a definite sleeper in the East 2 bracket, capable of hanging with anyone when their pitching staff finds the strike zone. Finally, Barnesville (9-8) proves to be a middle-seed no one wants to draw; their “bend-but-don’t break” defense and situational power make them a prime candidate to wreck a bracket in May.
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: These are the three softball teams to beat in the OHSAA playoffs
Reporting by Kevin Sutton, Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian / The Daily Jeffersonian
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