money Richland County Baseball Power Poll: Colts looking to close out title with big week
MANSFIELD — With just two more weeks left in the Richland County Baseball Power Poll, four teams have strong cases for a championship.
But right now, it is the Clear Fork Colts' to lose.
Lets check out this week's power poll and see who can make a late run toward the No. 1 spot.
1. Clear Fork (14-2)
The Colts took care of business last week sweeping Marion Harding 8-3 and 12-0 in their two-game Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference series. They are currently second in the league and just one game back of Highland for the top spot. Luke Schlosser had himself a week for the Colts recording three hits and three runs scored in the 8-3 win over Harding before taking the mound for Game 2 slinging an absolute gem with a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts. He also had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored to help his own cause. The Colts have a big week ahead with two games against Shelby and a home game with Lexington on Friday. The Shelby series will be massive. With two wins, the Colts can set up a winner-take-all series next week with Highland.
2. Crestview (12-4)
The Cougars took care of business last week sweeping New London 16-0 and 13-1 in their Firelands Conference series to maintain a comfortable two-game lead in the league standings. In Game 1 against the Wildcats, Owen Barker went off for two hits, four RBIs, four runs scored and a home run. Tyson Ringler also added four RBIs and two hits in the win. In Game 2, it was a different Barker-Ringler combo that led the way as Gavin Barker and Jarek Ringler had two hits and four RBIs apiece. The balance the Cougars are rolling with is so impressive as they have seven guys hitting .300 or better with three above .400. It is no surprise the Cougars are in complete control of their Firelands Conference title destiny. They have a huge week this week with two games against Mapleton, one with Lucas and on with South Central. If they can win all three of their league games this week, they can clinch at least a share of the Firelands Conference championship.
3. Shelby (10-5)
The Whippets made a nice little charge in the power poll after going 4-0 last week. The Whippets swept River Valley 7-1 and 3-2 in their MOAC series before picking up a couple of nice nonconference wins over Upper Sandusky, 7-6, and Lexington, 6-4. Aside from the first game against RV, the Whippets won three games by two or less runs. Those close games were ones Shelby lost at the beginning of the year so you can literally see the growth in the Whippets from Game 1 to now. Landon Kennard earned two wins on the mound last week allowing just one run on one hit with six strikeouts in Game 1 against RV and turning around securing the win over Lexington allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. Karsen Homan earned the save against Lex and also came in relief against RV as the two teamed up to make a nice 1-2 punch. Shelby has a lighter week in terms of numbers of games, but they are two very big matchups with Clear Fork.
4. Lucas (10-4)
The Cubs split their two games since the last power poll beating Mansfield Christian 10-0 before falling to East Knox 3-0 later in the week. Grayson Jackson had a nice day at the plate against the Fames with a hit and two RBIs as the Cubs scored 10 runs on just seven hits. The Cubs have a busy week ahead if Mother Nature decides to play ball. They play Central Christian twice and with two wins, the Cubs can clinch a share of their third consecutive Mid-Buckeye Conference championship. They also play River View and Monroeville in nonconference games to get them prepared for the tournament.
5. Ontario (7-9)
The Warriors made a nice little jump in the power poll this week after sweeping Pleasant 4-1 and 13-5 in their MOAC series. In the second game against Pleasant, Carter Weaver and Peyton Dzugan brought the lumber with three hits and two RBIS apiece. Jake Chapman also had two RBIs in the win. Dzugan earned the win on the mound working six innings allowing just two earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. Carter Weaver was the Game 1 winner allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in six innings of work. If the Warriors can ride the Arms of their nice 1-2 punch, they have a shot to make a nice run in the tournament. First, they hope to take care of Marion Harding thig in a two-game series before taking on Ashland on Friday.
6. Plymouth (6-8)
The Big Red went 2-2 since the last power poll beating Monroeville 22-7 and finishing off a continuation game against New London 6-4. Canaan Slone had a home run against New London before play was suspended and he continues to hit the ball well for Plymouth. The Big Red did lose games to Mapleton 7-1 and Hillsdale 10-0 but they are starting to find a stride as the season progresses. They will have a busy end to the season with two games against St. Paul, one with Seneca East, one with Mapleton and one with Buckeye Central this week. Then, they turn around and play five more next week. If they can get on a hot streak, they could make a charge up the power poll rankings.
7. Lexington (8-11)
The Minutemen had a tough week last week going 1-3 since the last power poll. They lost twice to New Philadelphia 5-0 and 3-2 before beating Norwalk 8-3 and ending the week with a 6-4 loss to Shelby. In the win over Norwalk, Chance Basilone had a nice day with three hits and an RBI while Carter Wilson and Zian Rhodes teamed up for a dominant performance on the mound combining to allow three hits, just two earned, on four hits with six strikeouts. Lex has what it takes to knock off some good teams and has a chance to this week against West Holmes and Clear Fork.
8. Madison (7-10)
The Rams had a nice week last week going 32-1 since the last power poll splitting with Ashland and beating Marion Harding. In the win over Ashland, Gavin Cates had a strong outing on the mound allowing one unearned run on four hits while Liam Stone finished things off over the final three innings not allowing a single hit. The Rams struck out just one Ashland batter so they made defensive plays when they needed to the most. Against Harding, Stone picked up his first varsity win working all seven innings allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts. The Rams hope to keep the momentum building this week against Wooster twice and River Valley once.
9. Mansfield Senior (2-12)
The Tygers dropped three ga.es last wee falling to Wooster twice, 10-1 and 13-3, and Toledo Bowsher 4-0. They hope to catch Ashland off guard this week in their OCC series.
10. Mansfield Christian (1-15)
The Flames fell to Lucas in their only game since the last power poll, 10-0, as eight defensive errors were enough to put them behind early and never allow they to catch up. The Flames have a chance to get win No. 2 on the year. After heading to Northmor, the Flames host Harvest Prep and head to Oberlin for a doubleheader on Saturday.
jfurr@gannett.com
740-244-9934
Twitter: @JakeFurr11
Last Week's Rankings
Clear Fork
Crestview
Lucas
Shelby
Lexington
Plymouth
Ontario
Madison
Mansfield Senior
Mansfield Christian
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Clear Fork Colts No. 1 in Richland County Baseball Power Poll, Crestview No. 2
