Wooster Daily Record Softball Power Rankings - Norwayne off to fast start

Norwayne batter M. Heyden is greeted by a host of Norwayne players as she jumps on home plate to complete her home run home. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton pitcher M. Simmons winds up on this pitch. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Norwayne base runner A. Workman is safe at second as Dalton shortstop K. Nawrocki takes a late throw. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Norwayne batter P. Moore gets a hit on this pitch. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton batter H. Wenger lays down a bunt and then scampers safely to first base. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Norwayne pitcher A. Workman on a relase early in the game. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton batter S. Geibel beats the throw from Norwayne K. Nawrocki on a bunt. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton batter K. Doty hits a 3, a 3 run home run that inthe first inning. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Norwayne shortstop M. Heyden scoops up a ground ball and fires to first base for the out. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton shortstop H. Wenger scoops up a ground ball and fires to first for the out. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton third baseman L. Teague holds Norwayne base runner P. Brewster on third. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton short stop H. Wenger can't reach this ground ball as it heads for the outfield by a Norwayne batter. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Norwayne batter M. Heyden rounds third and heads for home after belting a home run. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton center fielder S. Geibel can't reach this line drive in the outfield by a Norwayne batter. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Norwayne base runner scores as she beats a throw fro Dalton catcher K. Doty to pitchert M. Simmons as Norwayne batter L. Berry looks on. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton makes a mound change and brings relief pitcher S. Fletcher in. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton relief pitcher S. Fletcher finishes the game.. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Dalton shortstop H. Wenger grabs a ground ball and fires to first. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

Norwayne base runner K. Weaver beats a throw to shortstop H. Wenger on a late throw to second base. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Wooster Daily Record Softball Power Rankings - Norwayne off to fast start

Norwayne batter M. Heyden is greeted by a host of Norwayne players as she jumps on home plate to complete her home run home. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Wooster Daily Record Softball Power Rankings - Norwayne off to fast start

Norwayne batter M. Heyden is greeted by a host of Norwayne players as she jumps on home plate to complete her home run home. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton pitcher M. Simmons winds up on this pitch. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Norwayne base runner A. Workman is safe at second as Dalton shortstop K. Nawrocki takes a late throw. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Norwayne batter P. Moore gets a hit on this pitch. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton batter H. Wenger lays down a bunt and then scampers safely to first base. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Norwayne pitcher A. Workman on a relase early in the game. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton batter S. Geibel beats the throw from Norwayne K. Nawrocki on a bunt. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton batter K. Doty hits a 3, a 3 run home run that inthe first inning. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Norwayne shortstop M. Heyden scoops up a ground ball and fires to first base for the out. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton shortstop H. Wenger scoops up a ground ball and fires to first for the out. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton third baseman L. Teague holds Norwayne base runner P. Brewster on third. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton short stop H. Wenger can't reach this ground ball as it heads for the outfield by a Norwayne batter. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Norwayne batter M. Heyden rounds third and heads for home after belting a home run. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton center fielder S. Geibel can't reach this line drive in the outfield by a Norwayne batter. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Norwayne base runner scores as she beats a throw fro Dalton catcher K. Doty to pitchert M. Simmons as Norwayne batter L. Berry looks on. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton makes a mound change and brings relief pitcher S. Fletcher in. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton relief pitcher S. Fletcher finishes the game.. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Dalton shortstop H. Wenger grabs a ground ball and fires to first. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

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Gallery: Norwayne at Dalton Softball

Norwayne base runner K. Weaver beats a throw to shortstop H. Wenger on a late throw to second base. Dalton hosted Norwayne in a league game April 8 at 5pm. Norwayne won 15 to 4 after 5 innings.

With it being well into softball season across Ohio, let's get into this season's first power rankings edition and see where teams stand as of now.

More: Vote now for Wooster Daily Record Preseason Softball Player of the Year

Wooster Daily Record Softball Power Rankings

10. Wooster (3-4)

9. Waynedale (3-5)

8. Smithville (3-4)

7. West Holmes (5-6)

There's not much separating these four teams at this point in the season. Wooster is coming off a 2-2 week. Waynedale loss a two-game set to Wayne County Athletic League foe Hillsdale in the week, while Smithville is coming off taking two games from Chippewa. West Holmes has won four of their last five games that included a key 13-2 road win over Ohio Cardinal Conference opponent Lexington last Tuesday, who were Division IV state semifinalists last season.

6. Dalton (2-4)

Last season's Division VI state semifinalists are off to a pretty slow start this season, especially with a good chunk of their roster back from last year. The Bulldogs have dropped three in a row that involved losing a key two-game series to Norwayne and a 9-3 defeat to Tuslaw on Saturday, April 11. With the quality and experience Dalton has, don't be shocked if they eventually turn things around.

5. Loudonville (7-2)

In five of their last six wins, Loudonville has scored double-digit runs (10, 17, 18, 17, 16) and the Redbirds sit in an early first-place lead in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

4. Hillsdale (5-1)

Hillsdale went 3-0 last week by sweeping Waynedale (outscored the Golden Bears 18-3 in the two games) and won 13-1 against Fairless on Saturday, behind Macy Mager's nine strikeout-zero earned runs-pitched game versus the Falcons. The Falcons lone loss this season came to Norwayne.

3. Tuslaw (9-3)

Tuslaw is off to a fine 9-3 start this season and it looks like the Mustangs will be battling with last season's Principals Athletic Conference winners Akron Manchester and Triway for the league title as all three currently sit in the top three in the standings. Tuslaw is coming off a strong 5-1 nonleague win at home versus Dalton on Saturday, where pitcher Gabby McGowen (10 Ks, 9 hits, 0 ER, 0 walks, 7 IP) threw a whale of a game to earn the win.

Tuslaw will have a vital two-game set versus Akron Manchester early this week.

2. Triway (10-1)

Triway have come out the gate smoking at 10-1 and 6-0 in the PAC as last year's PAC runners-up and Division V district finalist have a strong case for being in the top spot. In Triway's 4-0 week, pitcher Elena Hilty earned two of those wins as the winning pitcher.

1. Norwayne (6-0)

Norwayne's MaKenna Heyden is greeted by a host of Norwayne players as she jumps on home plate after her home run against Dalton.

Last year's undefeated WCAL champions are looking quite good to start off the season as the Bobcats are currently the only undefeated team in Wayne/Holmes County. They have already submitted impressive wins against two teams that were state semifinalists last season (two wins against Dalton, Lexington) and a win versus Hillsdale, who were a regional semifinalist last season.

The season is young but the Bobcats hold the top spot right now.

jamessimpson@gannett.com

Twitter/X: @JamesSimpsonII

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne/Holmes County Softball Power Rankings - Norwayne off to hot start