AKRON, Ohio- After finishing as a state runner-up last year, Canfield is your 2024 Division II State Softball Champion. Malena Toth threw 23 strikeouts during the state tournament including 10 in the State Championship game vs Bryan.
"Yeah, it's amazing. I could do my thing in the circle whenever my batters are doing their thing", said Toth post-game.
Toth wasn't the only star of the tournament. Canfield's whole team played some amazing ball. The Cardinals allowed zero runs through the final three games of the playoffs. They faced multiple tough teams, beating them each by three or more runs, including their 4-0 victory in the State Championship over Bryan.
At the beginning of the game, Canfield had bases loaded with Caylee Ortiz at the plate. She sent a deep shot into left field clearing the bases. Today was the second straight game where Ortiz put the Cardinals on the board first. The 3-run double gave Canfield a 3-0 1st inning lead.
"It feels good whenever I get to the plate, knowing I need to get runs for my team, so I always try my hardest to," said Ortiz post-game. “It feels good, and I'm super proud of what my team and I accomplished this season."
The Cardinals continued to show their dominance and did not lose any steam, even though they had the comfort of being up 3-0 early.
Canfield accomplished the biggest goal of their season. All season, the team looked at this as their revenge tour, and they made sure to cash in on that goal. After a devastating loss in last year's state championship to Tallmadge, the Cardinals returned more determined than ever and proved why they are one of the best teams in Ohio.
"Well, they had one more check mark, and they came ready to put that check mark down on the revenge tour. That was their calling, and I like it, and they took care of it," said Coach Kernan post-game.
Coach Kernan entered this program not too long ago and has already left his name in school history. Not many schools or coaches can say they went to back-to-back state championships and won one.
"Couldn't be more proud of this group, you know, winning the state championship. I've been coaching for a long time, and I had a great group of girls who worked their tails off to put us in this position. I couldn't have been around a more determined and talented group to pull off a state championship," said Coach Kernin. "Any would have been blessed with this group. What I did coming back into the high school ranks, you know, they've always been historically successful, what these kids are made of and what they accomplished, I couldn't have asked for more.”
Canfield has a strong core coming back next season as they will have to carry the title of being the defending State Champions and look to defend their title.
Caylee Oritz (1/3, 2B, 3 RBI) and Marina Koenig (1/3, RBI) paced the Cardinals offense while Malena Toth (7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 10 K) dominated on the mound as she has all season.
Bryan will look to continue to prove why they are one of the best teams in all of Ohio again next year. The team is returning a solid young core, including starting pitcher Thea Staten, from today's championship game.
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