TOP OF THE CROP

Softball

Dropped out: NDCL 9-12 Watch list: NDCL, West Geauga 11-5, Gilmour 11-4 Crop comments: Perry ascends to the top in the final Crop. Granted, the Pirates don’t play as tough of a schedule as South and Madison, but they’ve navigated their season better than anyone else . ... South topped Madison this week in an 13-11 slugfest. Next is a tournament battle with WRC foe Brush in a sectional final. ... Madison lost to South, but is still the team to beat in the Division I district in Mentor. All of a sudden, that tournament might be wide open . ... Mentor is a battletested team in its tough league. The Cardinals might not have the win total of the teams above them, but rest assured they are a threat to win a district championship. ... Lake Catholic moves up to No. 5. The Cougars have two losses to Hoban and two to Walsh. That’s a pretty strong resume . ... Wickliffe drops a slot this week. The Blue Devils are 10-2 in the league, with only two losses to Perry. Next is a district semi against LaBrae. The Blue Devils want a shot at a district title . ... Riverside is a young team and is 13-9 in a tough league. They have a win against top-seeded Madison, so they’re a team to watch in the D-I tournament . ... Chardon stays at No. 8. The Hilltoppers have a big showdown against Mentor in the D-I district May 10 . ... North is still at No. 9 this week, with a sectional final against Riverside. The Rangers and Beavers battled all year. That game could go either way . ... Kirtland jumps back into the Crop this week. Pitcher Emily Ungrady had one of the best weeks any player has had all year. The Hornets have a toughie next against defending D-III state champion Warren Champion. Note: Records as of May 9.