LEXINGTON — The new-look softball postseason will be a slugfest for Richland County’s Division IV teams.
Lexington (18-2) earned the No. 1 seed in the district tournament draw, but the six-team field is loaded with area heavyweights. Shelby (14-10) is seeded second, while Clear Fork (13-9) and Ontario (16-7) are third and fourth, respectively.
Lex and Shelby both took first-round byes and automatically advance to next week’s Galion district. Ontario hosts No. 6 Vermilion in a sectional semifinal at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday with the winner advancing to take on Lady Lex. Clear Fork hosts No. 5 Upper Sandusky at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The winner plays Shelby next week.
Division III
Madison earned the No. 1 seed in the Division III draw and took a bye to next week’s district. The Rams will play either No. 5 Ashland or No. 6 Mansfield Senior in the district semifinals at 4 p.m. May 22. The Arrows host the Tygers in a sectional championship game at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Division V
Crestview received the No. 2 seed in the Division V draw. The Cougars host No. 7 Willard at 5 p.m. Tuesday in a sectional champhionship game.
No. 6 Galion visits No. 4 Huron at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Division VI
Sixth-seeded Mansfield Christian opens postseason play on the road. The Flames visit No. 3 Wynford for a sectional final at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Division VII
Fourth-seeded Plymouth opens tournament play at No. 3 Seneca East at 5 p.m. Thursday, while No. 7 Crestline visits No. 2 Norwalk St. Paul at 5 p.m. Thursday. Fifth-seeded Lucas will host No. 6 South Central at 5 p.m. Thursday.