Alan Kornspan
Believeland Media
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
The Canfield Cardinals Softball Team has punched their ticket to the OHSAA State Championships in Akron with a 3-0 Regional Final victory over Buckeye on Friday afternoon at Nordonia High School.
After the contest, Canfield Head Coach Mike Kernan talked about winning the OHSAA Regional Title.
"It feels great,” said Kernan.
"Got a little nervous there towards the end, but I think we're all pretty excited. Whenever you get to states it's exciting.”
"When you get back to Akron, that's your ultimate goal, to put yourself in position to win a state championship. We put all the work, all the effort in and just to get back there, it's exciting.”
Leah Figueroa had two clutch RBI to help lead Canfield to the OHSAA Regional Title
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
To get back to Akron, the Cardinals got the only run they would need in the bottom of the first inning.
Leah Figueroa's RBI single scored Sydney Lutz from third base to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning on Figueroa's second RBI single of the game.
Figueroa was clutch throughout the title game as she led the Cardinals offense going 2-3 with 2 RBI.
Figueroa, a sophomore catcher, has had an amazing year as she has led the Cardinals with a .475 batting average, 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 6 doubles, and 3 triples.
After Figueroa's RBI single in the fifth, the Cardinals made the final score 3-0 on a sixth inning RBI double by Macey Kalina which scored Marina Koenig from second base.
Toth struckout 17 batters in the Regional Title Game against Buckeye
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
On the mound for the Cardinals, Malena Toth was dominant.
Toth, a University of Buffalo commit, threw a one hit shutout. In seven innings of work she struck out 17 Buckeye batters.
Afterward Toth said that it was amazing to get this victory.
"Last year, not winning, I really wanted to get back there,” said Toth.
“So I was super excited (to get the victory).”
The Cardinals, now 25-3 on the season, advance to the OHSAA Division II State Semifinal game on May 31st at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
Canfield celebrates winning the OHSAA Regional Title
(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)
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