Ashland County Baseball Power Rankings: Ashland makes jump, Hillsdale stays in top spot
Let's see what this week's Ashland County baseball power rankings look like, as not much has changed but one team made a significant jump. What school was that? Let's take a look.
Note: The Power Rankings reflect performances from April 1-6.
More: Ashland County Baseball Power Rankings: Hillsdale in early season No. 1 spot
9. New London (0-3)
New London hasn't gotten in the win column yet, as the Wildcats have given up 10 or more runs in their first three games. A test against league opponent Mapleton this week could get the ball rolling.
8. Loudonville (1-5)
The Redbirds are another team that hasn't been able to get going so far, as they were shutout in both games to Northmor (0-10, 0-5) on Saturday. Loudonville mustered just six hits combined in the two losses and will be looking to produce more at the plate in the coming weeks.
7. Mapleton (1-2)
Mapleton fell in a doubleheader to Northwestern on Saturday and while the Mounties have only played a small sample size of games, they will have a chance this week against New London in a home-and-home to pile up some wins.
6. Black River (1-1)
Black River is a team that has probably been affected the most by the inclement weather of late, as the Pirates have only gotten in two games. They haven't played since March 29. We'll stick the Pirates here to be safe.
5. Northwestern (3-3)
In league play, you could say Northwestern is struggling, as it is 0-3 in the Wayne County Conference. Nonconference-wise, the Huskies have looked the part, as all three of their wins have come against non-league foes, including a doubleheader sweep of Mapleton on Saturday. The Huskies will look to keep pace in the WCAL against Chippewa on Tuesday and Wednesday.
4. South Central (2-1)
South Central is another team that hasn't seen the field much in the first two weeks of the season. However, it has been pretty solid when they do, as the Trojans defeated Bucyrus 11-0 on Saturday. Senior Gunner Ray went 4 for 5 at the plate, had two RBIs, two hits and scored three runs in the win.
3. Crestview (2-2)
After lighting up Western Reserve 17-2 on Wednesday, the defending Firelands Conference champions traveled to Shelby on Saturday and were defeated 7-0. The Cougars stay in the top three (were No. 2 last week) with this week, presenting them some tough challenges. Crestview will match up in a home-and-home with South Central, then play last year's Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference runner-ups in Clear Fork at home on Friday.
2. Ashland (3-1)
And here is your biggest jumper in the rankings. Ashland climb from No. 7 up to No. 2 in this week's power rankings.
More: After eventful fourth inning, Ashland holds off Mount Vernon for OCC win
Last week, Ashland completed a sweep of Mount Vernon, last year's Ohio Cardinal Conference runner-ups and one of the top two OCC favorites this season, by beating the Yellowjackets 7-6 on Wednesday at home in a game of momentum shifts. Then the Arrows traveled up to Mount Vernon and won 6-5 in extra innings. Alex Grissinger, Luke Bryant, Logan Fulk and Owen Shade each had an RBI in the second game against the Yellowjackets.
On Saturday, the Arrows added to the win tally by defeating Perkins 5-4, with Bryant driving in two RBIs and producing three hits.
Something to take note is that all three of the Arrows' wins have been one-score games.
1. Hillsdale (5-1)
Hillsdale was the No. 1 team last week and it remains that this week.
After defeating Rittman 12-3 on Wednesday (the Falcons' fourth straight game they scored double-digit runs), they won at Lucas 9-4 on Saturday. Against Rittman, six different players had an RBI and Jack Fickes got the win as the starting pitcher.
Even a loss against last year's MOAC champions in Clear Fork on Saturday didn't push the Falcons from this week's top spot. Two games against WCAL foe Dalton and last year's Division II state runner-up Ontario on Friday should be firm tests for Hillsdale.
jsimpson@gannett.com
Twitter@JamesSimpsonII
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland moves up in Baseball Power Rankings, Hillsdale stays No.1
