The road to Akron is officially set, and Ohio high school baseball fans have plenty to talk about as district tournament brackets were unveiled on Sunday, May 10, and Monday, May 11. While some teams secured their expected No. 1 seeds, a few surprises shook up the draws across all divisions, adding an extra layer of excitement to this year's postseason.
Unlike other Ohio High School Athletic Association sports that rely on the MaxPreps RPI formula, these final seeds were determined through a coaches' vote. Season records were locked in as of midnight on Wednesday, May 6, meaning any games played after that date or upcoming regular season matchups won't affect the final seed order or postseason positioning. Seed voting took place throughout the rest of the week, setting the stage for intense competition.
District play kicks off on Monday, May 18, with all games leading up to the finals held at the higher seed's home field. The district finals are scheduled for May 28 and 29, with locations still to be announced. From there, regional finals will take place on either June 3 or 4, and the ultimate showdown—the state finals at Akron's Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium—will run from June 11-14. Exact dates for state semifinals and finals per division are still pending from the OHSAA.
Here's a breakdown of notable seeds, matchups, and game locations across all seven divisions, with records reflecting action as of Sunday, May 10.
Division I
Centerville (19-2) earned the No. 1 seed in the super bracket, edging out Moeller (15-5) for the top spot. Despite Moeller being ranked No. 1 in the OHSBCA state rankings and Centerville sitting at No. 3, both teams opted into Region 3, setting up a potential regional final clash. They'll face off in a regular season game on May 18 at Centerville, adding even more drama to their postseason path.
St. Xavier (16-4) takes the No. 3 seed, followed by No. 4 Oak Hills (16-6) and No. 5 Mason (14-9). Beavercreek (16-5) grabbed the six-seed, while Springboro (15-6) landed at No. 7. The top seeds are largely separated until the regional round, though Oak Hills and Springboro could meet in a potential district final. Eight teams enter Region 3, with the remaining 17 in Region 4. Region 3 semifinals and finals will be played at Wright State University's Nischwitz Stadium, while Region 4 heads to Miami University's Hayden Park.
Division II
Troy (19-1) earned the one-seed in a competitive 12-team district, showcasing their dominant season. Loveland (17-4) follows as the two-seed, with No. 3 Anderson (16-5), No. 4 Edgewood (15-7), and No. 5 Northmont (13-7) rounding out the top five. Anderson entered Troy's district, setting up a potential district final matchup with the winner advancing through the Central District. All teams fall into Region 8, though the host site for regional rounds remains unannounced.
Division III
Butler (18-3), the state's top-ranked team, secured the one-seed as expected, but Bellbrook (18-3) made a leap to challenge for dominance. This division promises thrilling matchups as teams vie for a spot in the regional and state finals.
As the brackets take shape, teams across Ohio are gearing up for a postseason filled with surprises, rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned as the journey to Akron unfolds!