Lady Giants fall 5-4 in regional title game
CANTON — The Canton High School softball season ended Friday with a 5-4, 8-inning loss to Macomb in the Canton Regional Championship game.
The Lady Giants, who led 2-1 after an inning needed to rally to retake a 4-3 lead after three innings, only to have Macomb tie the score 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth.
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The Bombers used a double with two runners on base to drive in the game-winner in the eighth.
Canton finished the season 8-18. Macomb, which advanced to the Athens Sectional, improved to 18-6.
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Lexie Knowles had a hit and 2 RBIs and Rylee Murphy had a hit with 2 RBIs.
Bree Williamson and Katie Smith each rapped doubles in the game.
Ella Dixon pitched 2 innings in a staring role, allowing 3 hits and 3 runs.
Ashley Groves pitched 5.1 innings in relief, allowing 4 hits.
The game brought coach Bob Barnes’s career as coach to an end, as he had previously announced his retirement after 14 years in charge of the program.
“It's never easy to end the season, and it is really difficult this year," said Barnes.
"Not for one minute in the last six years I have been with these girls have I ever been disappointed in them. They play hard and they play with huge hearts.
"You measure success by not just the wins but by the enjoyment you have with the team you are coaching. I have enjoyed every second I have been with them and they are all winners.”
This article originally appeared on Canton Daily Ledger: CHS softball season ends after loss in regional championship
