Canfield stings and swings their way to state title, bashing Bryan 4-0
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AKRON -- Before the game, Canfield sophomore Caylee Ortiz was stung by a bee.
That must have been an omen, because once the game started, Ortiz turned into the Cardinals’ stinger, hitting a three-run double in the bottom of the first, propelling Canfield to a 4-0 victory and a state championship.
Going into this season, the only goal for the Cardinals was to avenge their 9-1 loss to Tallmadge in this same game a year ago. A revenge tour.
With the win over Bryan in the Division II state championship game at Firestone Stadium, the Cardinals' revenge tour is officially complete, finishing with a 27-3 mark.
"I couldn’t be more proud of this group," Cardinals coach Michael Kernan said. "Winning a state championship. I’ve been coaching for a long time, and I just can’t imagine we did it, but I had a great group of girls who worked their tails off and put us in position. I don’t think I’ve been around a more determined and talented group to pull off a state championship."
Last year’s loss loomed largely in Canfield’s rearview all season. They never dwelled on it, but it was fuel throughout the year.
Losing eight seniors from a roster is never easy, especially when those eight seniors helped pilot that team to the state title game. But the returners viewed that as a challenge and a chance to prove themselves.
Every day since has been one step toward this goal. And having those seniors instill their leadership onto the returning players has been instrumental.
"I think that was a building block to this team here," Kernan said. "When I say I couldn’t be luckier, they had eight seniors that were giving everything they had and leading in any manner they had. Last year, there was no pressure. I don’t think anybody really expected us to get to the state championship last year, and I still think we could have won it. But the fact that you got there, they believed they work hard and they said, 'Hey, we do this again. Keep it simple. Get better.' And that’s what they all did.
"Malena Toth got much better, much more dominant this year. But that building block carried over to this year, but these kids had to make it happen, and they did. They took it to another level."
While Ortiz' three-RBI double was enough to clinch the game, the Cardinal bats weren’t quite satisfied.
Junior Marina Koenig put the icing on the cake with a single that sent home sophomore catcher Leah Figureoa.
That’d be all the Cardinals would score on Saturday, but all they needed was one.
Two years ago, when weighing the possibility of returning to the high school game, Kernan considered one thing above all.
Fit.
Safe to say, it’s been a match made in heaven for both he and the program.
"Any coach would have been blessed to end up with this group," Kernan said. "When I did come back into the high school ranks, and (Canfield has) always historically been successful and what these kids were made of and what they accomplished, I mean, I couldn’t have asked for more."
Toth has been a key piece of this Canfield roster over the last few years, and was once again crucial in Saturday’s game, hurling 10 strikeouts over seven innings, while surrendering just two hits in a complete game shutout.
Having been on this stage last year helped the Buffalo commit feel more centered throughout the game, even when getting into a jam, few as they were.
Motivation for revenge is a powerful thing, and the Cardinals put the work in the offseason to make that happen.
Toth cited the team’s maturity and growth over the last year to make this happen, and now they have the trophy to show for it.
"This is just amazing," the senior said. "We definitely matured a lot more than we had last year and we’re more prepared this year. We worked during the offseason, every day, and it’s just amazing to be back here."
While not losing as many seniors as last season, Canfield has some holes to fill, mainly in the circle with Toth.
But she, Macey Kalina, Jessica Shugart, and Faith Morell got to close their high school career with a win, something not many seniors can say.
"All four of us have been there from the very beginning, freshman year until now," Toth said. "We have a really great relationship. We’re all best friends, so it just really means a lot to be able to get this one with them today."
As for what’s next?
Back when he took the job, Kernan talked about reaching Akron being the standard, and that’s something that won’t change.
Have an interesting story? Contact Brian Yauger by email at byauger@tribtoday.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @_brianyauger.