TOP OF THE CROP

Softball

1: (1) Riverside 19-2

2: (2) Chardon 15-8

3: (5) NDCL 10-3

4: (4) North 10-6

5: (6) Mayfield 13-8

6: (3) Mentor 13-8

7: (7) Perry 16-8

8: (8) South 5-13

9: (NR) Kirtland 9-9

10: (9) Harvey 12-1

Dropped out: Wickliffe (9-8)

Crop comments: As if there was any doubt, Riverside remains at No. 1 after winning a sectional title AND clinching the undefeated WRC title this past week. The Beavers head into the district tournament against Walsh Jesuit with momentum. … Chardon stays at No. 2. The Hilltoppers have won four in a row, including a sectional title win, and are headed for the D-I district tournament. … NDCL moves back up to No. 3after winning a sectional title. Perhaps the Lions should have stayed there all along. Very solid season so far by Coach Alexander’s squad. … North gets the edge at No. 4despite losing three in a row to Chardon and Riverside. But no one behind the Rangers has fared any better against the top two teams in the league. … Mayfield’s tournament win over Mentor lifts the Wildcats over the Cardinals in this week’s Crop. Top-to-bottom, the Wildcats hit the ball hard in earning their D-I sectional title. … Mentor finishes the season 13-8 and at No. 6. The Cardinals had a rough first inning against Mayfield in a tournament loss, but Mentor had a really nice bounceback after a slow start to their season. … Perry lost its tournament game, but finished the season 16-8. With such a young squad, that’s a fine season. If the Pirates can replace two senior pitchers next spring, look out. … South is 5-13. Yes they remain at No. 8. The Rebels are in the WRC and that counts for something because of the loaded schedule the team played this year. … Kirtland moves up to No. 9 with its win over Wickliffe and a sectional title. The Hornets also get the nod over Harvey based on schedule strength (and Harvey’s tourney loss to Geneva). Kirtland still has to play Lutheran West and Crestwood, and can get a share of a league title if they win both.