Tigers exact their revenge, overwhelm Bulldogs with extra-base hits to reach state quarterfinals

LA PLATA, Mo. — Redemption and revenge came with a full-fledged offensive assault.

Now, the Canton softball team sits just one victory away from a return to the final four.

The Tigers capitalized on a bounty of scoring opportunities in the first three innings of Wednesday’s Class 1 sectional, building an insurmountable 11-run lead and dispatching postseason nemesis La Plate 12-0 in five innings.

With it, the memories of the 1-0 loss to the Bulldogs last season and the 4-3 loss in 2020 are history.

Saturday, the chance to add to the program’s rich tradition exists. Canton (24-5) will face Braymer (20-7) in the state quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl in Canton, Mo. Game time has yet to be determined.

With a large crowd having made the trip to La Plata, the Tigers seized the moment by scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning as Emma Hultz delivered a two-out, two-run double to center field. The lead doubled in the second inning as Kadee Guilfoyle led off with a walk and Macy Glasgow followed with a two-run home run to left field.

In the third inning, the floodgates opened.

A pair of walks and a single by Allie Ruffcorn loaded the bases with one out. Guilfoyle and Glasgow both drew run-scoring walks and Kielyn Ott smacked a two-run double to center field. Another walk reloaded the bases and Nariah Clay followed with a two-run double to center field.

Madison Gorrell’s sacrifice fly capped the seven-run inning and was more than enough run support for Hultz.

The junior tossed a three-hit shutout, striking out five and walking none.