The Canton Tigers got just one hit in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the damage was done as they scored four runs to steal a 5-4 win away from Lincoln in the Class 2 semifinals at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O’Fallon on Tuesday evening. The win improved Canton’s undefeated record to 21-0 and sets up a championship matchup against Valle Catholic at 1:30.
A leadoff single was followed by three walks, an error, wild pitch and fielder’s choice. Lincoln led 4-1 thanks to a pair of runs in the second and two more in the fifth to lead 4-1. Lincoln finishes their season at 26-3. Starting pitcher Corbin Mertgen finishes his season with a 13-2 record after taking the loss.
Valle Catholic punched their ticket with a 7-0 win over Plato, blowing the game open with a four-run fifth inning. Connor Basler improved to 12-0 on the season striking out nine in his complete game. Basler also walked four times at the plate after giving Valle at 2-0 lead in the second with a two-out single. He was intentionally walked twice after that hit.
In the Class 1 semifinals, Silex jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, thanks to a couple of errors. Bell City settled in and scored a 5-4 victory. Cole Nichols scored the go-ahead run after a leadoff walk. He stole second and moved to third on a ground before coming home on a single by Nate Finney, who finished with three hits.
In the other semifinal game, New Covenant Academy with The Summit Preparatory, beat Northwest (Hughesville) 5-0, behind Cody Malan’s complete game four-hitter. Caleb Fernelius and Ian Poe each drove in two runs for New Covenant.