CARDINALS STRIKE FIRST AND NEVER LOOK BACK

By Ty Bartell

CANFIELD OH-  Another premier matchup inside the All American Conference (AAC) between a couple of one loss teams took place at McCune Field #7 on Monday night between The Howland Tigers and Canfield Cardinals softball teams! After both teams dropped their opening game of the season, they both had yet to taste defeat again, setting up a collision course between them.

Canfield started the game on the right foot, after Malena Toth stranded a pair of Tigers on in the first with a pair of back-to-back strikeouts, The Cardinals came right out in the bottom of the first and jumped on Howland. Leading things off, Marina Koenig blasted a solo home run to center field to lead off the game and give Canfield the early 1-0 advantage. Not done there, nine Cardinals would bat in the inning as they would compile a seven hit, four run top of the first, taking the 4-0 lead against The Tigers.

Both Malena Toth from Canfield and Brooke Tatar from Howland would effectively shut all offense down in the coming innings with both pitchers pitching around baserunners. However, Toth dealt with a bit of traffic, but she was riding cruise control through all of it, stranding multiple baserunners in the game, including leaving the bases loaded in the third.

The top of the seventh had looked like Howland would finally breakthrough, after loading the bases again, The Tigers were able to draw two consecutive walks to put two runs on the board, cutting the lead to 4-2 Canfield with Howland having the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at first. But once again, Toth found the ice in her veins to draw the slow roller to first for Kalina to step on the bag. Ballgame!

Player of the Game honors went to both Malena Toth and Jenna Triveri for Canfield as Toth was special in showcasing her ability to battle, even when traffic was on base, as the Buffalo commit is looking as strong as ever at the midway point of the season. While Triveri amassed three hits in the game, as last year’s YSN Co-Freshman of the year continues to set the tone at the top of The Cardinals lineup.

Canfield (9-1) has now won nine straight ball games and are keeping pace to claim a second consecutive AAC crown. Meanwhile, Howland (5-2) will look to gear up for the rematch against Canfield at Howland on Tuesday, April 16th with a 5 p.m. first pitch.