OLIVESBURG — Crestview’s quest for a Firelands Conference crown will face its biggest challenge next week.
The Cougars (9-2, 4-0) will square off with fellow FC heavyweight Monroeville (12-0, 4-0) in a home-and-home series Monday and Tuesday that will go a long way in determining the championship.
The Eagles have won three straight FC titles. Crestview won four in a row before that.
Both teams have thundered through their first two FC series. Crestview beat Western Reserve and South Central by a combined score of 53-3. Monroeville roughed up Mapleton and Plymouth by a combined 56-12.
Crestview finds itself in title contention thanks in no small part to seniors Chesnie Patton and Kaylee Hamman. Patton is hitting .625 with 16 runs batted in and four home runs. Hamman is batting .545 with 14 RBIs and seven doubles.
The duo has also gotten the job done in the pitcher’s circle. Patton is 5-2 with a 1.20 earned run average and 54 strikeouts in 40.s innings of work. Hamman is 3-0 with a 3.64 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
Mapleton is 1-3 in FC play after splitting with New London this week. The Mounties take on St. Paul next week.
Ohio Cardinal Conference
Ashland had a conference bye this week and is 2-1 in OCC play. The Arrows return to conference play with a home-and-home against New Philadelphia next week.
Conference front-runners Madison and Lexington split this week. The Rams are 4-1 in OCC action, while Lady Lex is 4-2.
Madison will head to New Philadelphia (3-2 OCC) on Friday for a make-up game. The Quakers split with Lexington earlier this season.
Wayne County Athletic League
Hillsdale ands Norwayne are tied atop the Wayne County Athletic League standings at 5-0. The teams won’t meet until early-May.
The Falcons (10-1) have yet to be tested in league play. Only one of their five WCAL games has gone the full seven innings.
Hillsdale had 11 extra-base hits in Wednesday’s 14-1 win over Smithville. Jordyn Fickes, Kennedy Fickes and Kiki McFadden belted home runs. Leadoff hitter Liliana McCrory was 4-for-4 with two triples, a double and two runs batted in.
Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
Loudonville faces an uphill climb if it wants to get back into contention in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.
The Redbirds are 2-4 in the KMAC after Wednesday’s 9-4 loss to Centerburg.
Danville (5-0 KMAC) is alone atop the standings, followed by Fredericktown (5-1) and Centerburg (5-2).
Helaina Gray and Jocelyn Kegley rank among the KMAC’s top hitters. Gray is batting .579, while Kegley is hitting .567.