State Champions - R-V Softball

The 2022 Class 1State Softball Champions Canton Lady Tigers pictured are:
front row-Sierra Schmitz, Ella Fisher, Allie Ruffcorn, Madison Gorrell, Nariah Clay, Kielyn Ott, Kadee Guilfoyle, Kinsey Biggerstaff. Back row: Mallory Blessing, Teresa McKenzie (asst. coach), Kadence Taylor, Macie Fisher, Macy Glasgow, Chevelle McCutchan, Emma Hultz, Kristyn Arens (coach) and Kenzie Hultz.

The Canton Lady Tigers won the Missouri Class 1 State Championship title winning over Polo 4-2. The game was played at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, Mo. The Canton Lady Tigers advanced to the championship game after winning the semi final game against Marion C. Early on Oct. 29 by climbing ahead after being tied in the bottom of the sixth inning and retiring the side in the top of the seventh innings.

The championship game was delayed for over an hour as the Class 3 State championship game went into extra innings. In that game, Fatima defeated Chillicothe 16-14.

The Polo Panthers scored first and kept that lead until the fifth inning and Macy Fisher hit a triple to score Macy Glowgow to tie the game. Nariah Clay had a bunt single that scored Fisher to make the score 2-1. Two more runs were scored with a double from Hultz to bring in Clay and Kinsey Biggerstaff. Junior pitcher Emma Hultz got two strikeouts in the bottom of the fifth with runners on second and third base and Polo didn’t score. Polo had a double in the bottom of the seventh and a single hit to score a run but the final batter was struck out to end the game and the Canton Lady Tigers won the State Championship game

Emma Hultz was the winning pitcher with eight strikeouts and pitching all seven innings, She also had a hit for two RBIs. Nariah Clay was 2 for 4 at the plate with a run and an RBI. Biggerstaff was two for two with a walk and a run.

State Champions Canton Lady Tigers ended the season with a 27-5 record.