ASHLAND — Ashland County high school baseball fans haven’t seen a spring like this in almost 20 years.
Ashland, Hillsdale, Mapleton and Loudonville all won sectional titles last week. It’s the first time since 2006 all four reached the district in the same season.
Two of the four, Hillsdale and Mapleton, will meet in a Division IV district semifinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Cuyahoga Community College’s Western Campus in Parma. The third-seeded Falcons (15-10) advanced with a 10-0 win over East Canton, while the No. 12 Mounties (11-7) knocked off Heartland Christian 6-2.
Mapleton is making its first district tournament appearance since 2014. The Falcons have reached the district every season since 2016. That stretch included a state runner-up finish in 2019 and a regional final appearance in 2022.
Ashland snapped the area’s longest sectional title drought with last week’s 3-2 win over Toledo St. John’s. The seventh-seeded Arrows (18-6) will take on No. 4 Perrysburg at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bowling Green’s Carter Park. Perrysburg beat Toledo Start 11-1.
It will be Ashland’s first district appearance since 2012. The Arrows reached the regional championship game that year.
Loudonville advanced to this week’s Division IV Struthers district tournament with a 12-2 win over Windham. The 13th-seeded Redbirds (11-12) will meet top-seeded Lake Center Christian at 5 pm. Tuesday at Bob Cene Park. Lake Center Christian advanced with a 17-0 win over Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas.