MADISON TOWNSHIP — The Rams are atop the Ohio Cardinal Conference standings, but their perch is precarious.
Madison and Lexington split a key home-and-home series this week as the OCC season neared its midway point. The Rams (9-2, 4-1) are one game clear of Lady Lex (10-2, 4-2) in the loss column with Friday’s trip to New Philadelphia (9-4, 3-2) looming large.
The Quakers split with Lady Lex earlier this season.
Lexington won the OCC title last spring, its first since 2009. Madison shared the crown with New Philadelphia and Mount Vernon in 2023.
Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference
The chase for the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference took a turn Wednesday when Highland knocked off Shelby 9-7.
Clear Fork (6-3, 4-0) is the lone conference unbeaten. The Whippets (10-5, 6-1), Fighting Scots (8-4, 5-1) and River Valley (12-2, 5-1) are all lurking.
The four front-runners will all square off later this month. Shelby and Clear Fork play in a home-and-home on April 29 and 30, as do River Valley and Highland.
Clear Fork and Shelby shared the MOAC title last spring.
Firelands Conference
Things are about to get interesting in the Firelands Conference race.
Crestview (9-2, 4-0) and Monroeville (12-0, 4-0) meet in a home-and-home series next week.
Both teams have thundered through their first two FC opponents. The Cougars pounded Western Reserve and South Central by a combined score of 53-3. The Eagles roughed up Mapleton and Plymouth by a combined 56-12.
Mid-Buckeye Conference
Lucas is alone atop the four-team Mid-Buckeye Conference standings after a sweep of Mansfield Christian this week. Crestline (3-1) is a game back. The Cubs handed the Bulldogs their only MBC loss back on April 9. Lucas plays KCC in a home-and-home next week.