Michael Cooper: Softball: Streaking Kenton Ridge stays locked in ahead of big weekend

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The defending Division IV state champion Kenton Ridge High School softball team continues to climb its way up the state record book.

The Cougars beat Tecumseh 11-0 on Wednesday to claim their 48th straight victory, passing Akron Hoban for the fourth longest-winning streak in state history, according to the unofficial OHSAA record book.

Hoban won 47 consecutive games – including postseason contests – twice from 1986-1988 and 1990-1992.

Portsmouth Clay (1980-1982) owns the state’s longest winning streak at 68 games, followed by Convoy Crestview (59 from 05-06) and North Canton Hoover (52 from 2013-14).

The Cougars, however, aren’t focused on winning streaks, said Cougars coach Sarah Schalnat. It’s not something they talk about, she said.

“We're just focusing on us,” Schalnat said. “I think that's the biggest thing because there are a lot of things that can be distractions right now with rankings or even thinking of the winning streak. We just focus on being together for two hours. We just try to continue to have that mindset of we're here to have fun, and we're here to play hard for two hours and enjoy our time together and enjoy a sport that we all love. We're just really focusing on that. We're focusing on us and the things that we can control like trying to stay locked in.”

Kenton Ridge was recently ranked No. 16 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll and No. 12 in the MaxPreps Top 25. They’re also ranked No. 1 in D-IV in the Ohio High School Softball Coaches Poll for the second straight week. They received all 11 first-place votes.

They’ll face three tough opponents this weekend, including last year’s big school state champion.

The Cougars travel to face North Union at 5:15 a.m. tonight, Friday, April 24, in a Central Buckeye Conference crossover division matchup. The Wildcats (14-4) have won eight straight games.

On Saturday, Kenton Ridge will face defending D-I state champ Lebanon and D-I state runner-up Centerville in a doubleheader at the Cincinnati Reds Futures High School showcase on Saturday morning at Lebanon High School. Cost is $5 and first pitch is slated for 11 a.m.

Lebanon (13-5) recently lost one-run games on the road to Little Miami and Milford. Centerville (12-4) has won six straight games.

“When they go out there they just want to win the day,” Schalnat said. “We focus on winning the inning. That's part of our mental performance to not look at it as let's win the game, but let's win the inning.”

OHSAA SOFTBALL

Wins, consecutive — including tournament games

(Minimum 40)

68 - Portsmouth Clay (1980-1982)

59 - Convoy Crestview (2005-2006)

52 - North Canton Hoover (2013-2014)

48 - Kenton Ridge (2025-2026)

47 - Akron Archbishop Hoban (1990-1992)