Richland County Baseball Power Poll heavy at the top with three teams with winning records

MANSFIELD — It hasn't been the greatest of starts for Richland County baseball teams.

Just three teams sit with a winning record as we approach a month into the 2024 season.

Let's take a look at this week's Richland County Baseball Power Poll and see if teams can get things turned around.

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10. Mansfield Christian (0-4)

The Flames got just one game in last week thanks to the weather, a 9-1 loss to Loudonville. Zach Dumbeck had the lone hit for the Flames while Blayne Morrow had an RBI. The Flames are struggling to get games in because of the weather and field conditions, but they hope this week is the week as they take on Crestline twice and have a doubleheader with Northside Christian on Saturday.

9. Mansfield Senior (1-7)

The Tygers went through the meat of the Ohio Cardinal Conference last week and came away with four losses. First, it was 21-4 and 9-0 losses to Mount Vernon before they dropped two to New Philadelphia 10-0 and 11-0. They have a big week ahead with a game against Bucyrus, two against Madison and another against Orrville as they look to get back in the win column after seven straight losses.

8. Madison (1-6)

The Rams had two tough losses since the last power poll, both to West Holmes. First, it was an 8-0 loss before falling 8-6 in a better effort. In that second game, Cam Kuhn had three hits and two RBIs as he continues to be one of the best hitters of the early season with a .640 batting average with 16 hits, six RBIs and five runs scored. The Rams have Mansfield Senior twice before heading to Shelby on Friday in what could be a successful week.

7. Lexington (1-7)

The Minutemen had just one game since the last power poll, a 3-2 loss to Wooster, in what could have been one of the best wins of the early season. Michael Togliatti had two hits in the loss while Colton Murfield pitched a heck of a game allowing three runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts. They head to Shelby before a two-game series with Ashland and a game with Johnstown-Monroe on Saturday.

6. Crestview (2-4)

The Cougars suffered a pair of tough Firelands Conference losses last week which put their title hopes in jeopardy when they lost to South Central 8-5 and 2-0. In the 8-5 loss, the Cougars committed six errors and allowed just two earned runs but the six unearned was enough to sink them. Then, they were held to just three hits in the 2-0 loss. The Cougars have a chance to really figure things out this week with two Firelands Conference series against Monroeville and New London before heading to Galion on Saturday for a doubleheader.

5. Lucas (2-5)

The Cubs got in the win column last week with a 7-3 win over Crestline and a 9-4 victory over Buckeye Central to end a five-game losing streak. Against Crestline, Gabe Porter had himself a day with two hits, three RBIs, a home run, four stolen bases and the win on the mound allowing three runs on three hits with 10 strikeouts in five innings of work. Against Buckeye, Bobby Grover had three hits while Jack DiBartolomeo had two hits and three RBIs to go with a win on the mound allowing two runs on two hits with eight strikeouts. This might be the momentum the Cubs have been looking for. They travel to Clear Fork this week but will likely try to get some makeup games scheduled.

4. Plymouth (2-3)

The Big Red makes a move up to No. 4 this week after going 1-1 since the last power poll. First, it was a dominant 12-2 win over Monroeville as Lincoln Distl had three hits and two RBIs while Canaan Slone had two hits and an RBI. Lex Grose earned the win on the mound allowing two unearned runs on one hit with seven strikeouts in five innings of work. The Big Red then lost to South Central 9-8 as the Trojans scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to end it. Jarrett Burrer had himself a day at the plate though with two hits and four RBIs with a home run. He pitched well allowing five runs, one earned, on five hits with nine strikeouts. Plymouth has New London and Mapleton in Firelands Conference play before traveling to Northwestern to end the week.

3. Shelby (4-2)

The Whippets had an up-and-down week since the last power poll going 1-2 with a win over Highland before falling to the Scots in the second game of an MOAC series and losing to Bishop Hartley. The 3-2 victory over Highland proved the Whippets have what it takes to compete for a league championship as they scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh for the walk-off win. Nic Eyster delivered the game-winning single as part of a big day that included two hits as well as a complete-game victory on the mound where he allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits with six strikeouts. The Whippets then lost to Highland 5-4 in 10 innings in a walk-off fashion but Maverick Noel had a nice day with three hits and three RBIs. The 14-8 loss to Bishop Hartley didn’t hurt any league title chances as the Whippets get set to host River Valley in a key two-game series while also playing Lexington this week.

2. Ontario (5-4)

The Warriors make a move up to No. 2 this week thanks to two victories since the last power poll. They beat Galion 4-3 in extra innings before knocking off Tiffin Columbian 13-7. Carter Weaver delivered the walk-off RBI sacrifice fly to beat Galion as part of a two-hit, two-RBI day that also included earning the win on the mound allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Carter Walters had two triples in the win, too. He had a big day against Columbian with two hits and an amazing seven RBIs while also earning the win on the mound allowing seven runs, six earned, on eight hits with five strikeouts. The Warriors have key games this week in MOAC play with Galion, two with Pleasant and Clear Fork on the agenda before heading to Triway to round out the busy week.

1. Clear Fork (8-2)

The Colts bring some stability to a wild start to the baseball power poll season. With three wins last week, Clear Fork stays at No. 1. The Colts beat Pleasant twice 9-0 and 8-4 before beating Medina Buckeye 13-8 in nonconference play. In the first game against Pleasant, Nate Lind had a hit and two RBIs which was enough to support Luke Schlosser who earned the win on the mound allowing just two hits with 13 strikeouts in six innings of work. In Game 2 against Pleasant, Lind had four hits and two RBIs while Jay Jackson had three hits and an RBI to lead the way. Jackson followed that up with two hits and three RBIs which included the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the sixth to seal the victory against Buckeye. It was a huge week but this week is even bigger with two games against Harding and one with Ontario looming.

Last Week’s Rankings

10. Mansfield Christian

9. Lucas

8. Mansfield Senior

7. Plymouth

6. Madison

5. Lexington

4. Ontario

3. Crestview

2. Shelby

1. Clear Fork

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Clear Fork Colts No. 1 in Richland County Baseball Power Poll