Canton softball team improves to
9-0 with 7-1 victory over Mustangs

April 27, 2010, 1:15 p.m.

  Senior pitcher Amy Dunleavy tossed a 4-hitter Monday afternoon to lead Canton's softball team to a convincing 7-1 victory over Northville.

  The Chiefs improved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association's Kensington Conference.

  "The kids are playing together as a team and our bats are alive," said Canton coach Jim Arnold, describing the team's explosive start. "Everybody is contributing offensively and defensively."

  Dunleavy, who has notched four no-hitters in her 6-0 start, struck out five and issued one walk -- just her first of the season. She also swung a hot piece of aluminum, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.

  Lauren Leskovitz and Katie Mattson also sparkled at the plate, recording two hits and two RBI each. Leskovitz and Mattson got things rolling in the first with RBI hits, Mattson's plating a pair of Chiefs.

  Canton led 5-1 after four frames before tacking on two insurance runs in the top of the sixth. The Chiefs outhit Northville, 11-4.

  CarolAnn Sexauer also had two hits for the Chiefs, one of which was a double.

  On Saturday, the Chiefs went 3-0 in the Anchor Bay Tournament. Dunleavy chalked up a perfect game, striking out seven, in Canton's victory over Armada. She then no-hit Sterling Heights Stevenson.

  Sophomore Alyssa Boucher won the third game for Canton, going the distance in a 6-4 triumph over L'Anse Creuse North. Boucher scattered eight hits and struck out three.

  After driving most of the way for Sunday's semifinal and potential championship games, Arnold received a phone call notifying him that the day's games were rained out.

  "It was a long way to drive for a cup of coffee," the Chiefs' coach joked.