Youthful Canton softball team ranked No. 1 in first Missouri Class 1 poll

CANTON, Mo. — Four freshmen and three sophomores are in the starting lineup for the Canton softball team. So much youth typically means much patience will be needed as a team matures.

That’s not how it works in Canton.

The Tigers won the Missouri Class 1 state championship in 2017, lost in the state championship game in 2019, placed fourth in 2015 and took third in 2008 and 2014.

So when the Tigers were ranked No. 1 in Class 1 in the first state poll, released Tuesday by the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association, most softball fans in Canton likely shrugged their shoulders. 

“I enjoy seeing us being ranked,” second-year coach Kristyn Caldwell said. “But you don’t want them to get cocky or big-headed. This team can do anything they put their minds to.”

Diving catch by Clay saved victory over Salisbury

Canton (11-3) is ranked ahead of Jefferson and Maysville, who are tied for second in the poll. The Tigers are fresh off a championship at the Paris Tournament, which included victories over Salisbury (2-1 in six innings) and North Shelby (1-0 in the title game).

“We haven’t exactly, these last few games, blown anyone out. I don’t even think we’ve hit our potential so far,” Caldwell said. “I’ve just got to keep them moving and staying humble and just stay locked in.”

Caldwell noted a diving catch by Nariah Clay in the sixth inning of the game against Salisbury that preserved the victory.

Guilfoyle has 81 strikeouts in 75 innings

The Tigers’ only losses are to Highland (twice) and Monroe City — teams they won’t face during the postseason. Canton won the Monroe City Tournament earlier this season despite being the fifth seed out of eight teams.

Kenzie Guilfoyle is the only senior in the lineup, and she has been Canton’s standout in the pitching circle. She has a 1.77 earned run average, and she has struck out 81 batters in 75 innings.

“We are very young, so we’re still getting these kinks out early,” Caldwell said. “We’re still managing to winning games. I know we haven’t reached our potential.”

Palmyra was ranked eighth and Monroe City was ranked 10th in the Class 2 poll.

Missouri Class 1 state poll

Rank	School	Record
1.	Canton	8-3
2 (tie)	Jefferson	12-4
2 (tie)	Maysville	14-2
4.	Vienna	14-1
5.	St. Elizabeth	11-5
6.	Marion C. Early	14-5
7.	Braymer	13-2
8.	North Andrew	13-3
9.	Neelyville	16-4
10.	Polo	9-3

Missouri Class 2 state poll

Rank	School	Record
1.	Fayette	18-1
2.	Sherwood	13-3
3.	Russellville	16-3
4.	Carrollton	13-2
5.	Marceline	13-3-1
6.	South Harrison	14-4
7.	Iberia	12-4
8.	Palmyra	10-4
9.	New Bloomfield	10-8
10.	Monroe City	9-7