The Licking County softball scene is heating up as two powerhouse programs set their sights on defending their district titles—and both have secured the top spot to start their playoff runs.
Licking Valley and Newark Catholic have earned No. 1 seeds in their respective divisions, thanks to the MaxPreps RPI rankings used by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The brackets for Divisions III through VII were released on May 3, with the Division I and II pairings set to follow on May 10. For Valley and NC, the road to a repeat begins with home-field advantage and a target on their backs.
Valley, boasting a perfect 17-0 record, will host the winner of a play-in game between No. 10 Heath (2-14) and No. 11 Columbus East in a Division IV district semifinal on May 19 at 5 p.m. Heath will host East on May 13 to determine who gets the unenviable task of facing the undefeated Panthers. If Valley advances, they could face either No. 6 Eastmoor Academy or No. 9 Bishop Ready in the district final on May 22 at Marysville at 2 p.m. The winner of that bracket moves on to the southeast regional.
Over in Division VII, Newark Catholic (12-7) is also aiming to defend its crown. The Panthers will host either No. 4 Delaware Christian or No. 7 Shekinah Christian in a district semifinal on May 18 at 5 p.m. A win there could set up a district final showdown with No. 2 Madison Christian on May 22 at Pickerington Central at 5 p.m. The district champion will advance to the northeast regional.
But the Licking County excitement doesn't stop there. In Division V, Johnstown (16-4-1) earned the No. 2 seed and will host No. 11 Amanda-Clearcreek on May 14 at 5 p.m. A win would put them in a district semifinal against either No. 7 Grove City Christian or No. 8 Fredericktown on May 18. The Johnnies could then face No. 3 Centerburg in a district final on May 21 at Pickerington North at 5 p.m.
Also in Division V, Utica (11-8) grabbed the No. 6 seed and will host No. 9 Northmor on May 14 at 5 p.m. With a victory, they would either visit No. 5 Fairbanks or host No. 10 Northridge (7-13) on May 18. Northridge travels to Fairbanks on May 14 to sort out that bracket. A potential district final against No. 1 Liberty Union looms on May 21 at 2 p.m. at Pickerington North. Both Division V winners head to the northwest regional.
In Division III, Granville (9-13) enters as the No. 9 seed and will visit No. 5 Bishop Hartley on May 14 at 5 p.m. A win would send the Blue Aces to No. 2 Bexley for a district semifinal on May 18.
With top seeds, hungry underdogs, and multiple Licking County teams in the mix, this postseason is shaping up to be one for the books. Whether you're cheering from the stands or gearing up for your own games, now's the time to stock up on the gear that performs as hard as you do.