When it comes to consistency in Greater Cincinnati smaller-school fast-pitch softball, the standard is being set by Ross.

DIV. II-IV POLL

1. Ross (4) ....... 56   2. Badin ....... 48   3. Roger Bacon (1) ....... 40   4. McNicholas (1) ....... 29   5. Goshen ....... 26   6. Clermont NE (1) ....... 24   7. Taylor ....... 22   8. Wilmington ....... 16   9. Franklin ....... 15   10. Little Miami ....... 14   Also receiving votes: Reading 13, Edgewood, Kings 11, Deer Park 8, Cincinnati Country Day, New Richmond, Turpin 7, Indian Hill, Purcell Marian 6, Blanchester 5, Felicity-Franklin, Madeira 4, Carlisle, Finneytown, Wyoming 2.

        The Rams go into the season with streaks of 13 consecutive 20-win seasons and 15 consecutive over-.500 seasons, and they are expected to have no problem maintaining them. The Fort Ancient Valley Conference (FAVC) Cardinal Division powerhouse has been named the No.1 team in the Enquirer's Division II-III-IV coaches preseason poll.

        Three Girls Greater Catholic League Gray Division teams — No.2 Badin, No.3 Roger Bacon and No.4 McNicholas — follow Ross in the poll. Goshen is fifth, followed by Clermont Northeastern, Taylor, Wilmington, Franklin and Little Miami.

        All of those schools are Division II, which consists of the second-largest schools in the Ohio High School Athletic Association's (OHSAA) new four-division format. Local teams who will compete in Division IV are Cincinnati Christian, Cincinnati Country Day, Fayetteville, Fenwick, Landmark Christian, Lockland, Middletown Christian, New Miami, Ridgeville Christian, Seven Hills, St. Bernard, and Summit Country Day will compete in a Division IV sectional tournament for the first time this season.

        While the Rams are proud of their winning tradition which includes 14 consecutive FAVC championships, they are more concerned with stopping a mini-streak during which they've won just one district championship in the last three years after winning five in a row from 1993 through 1997. Coach Paul Fernandez, who enters his 10th season with a 224-35 career record, thinks Ross is well-stocked.

        Senior Rachel Richardson, who was 5-2 with a 1.34 earned-run average and 54 strikeouts last season, is prepared to assume a heavier load. Senior Rachel Montezinos, who also plays catcher, will share the duties. Junior third baseman-shortstop Elaine Haubner is the top returning hitter. Haubner batted .375 last season, while Montezinos hit .281.

        Third-year Badin coach Debbie Harrell is hoping that the return of versatile junior Stephanie Streit from a broken wrist sparks the Rams to a better record than last season's 11-14 mark, which helped lead to a third-place finish in the GGCL Gray Division. Streit can play third base, catcher and center field. Sophomore shortstop Tracey Harrell also returns after hitting .409 last season.

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