Jesse Larner (far right) is greeted at home plate after crushing a two-run home run against South Lyon Wednesday afternoon. (John Kemski photo)

Larner's blast sparks Chiefs' championship victory over Lions

BY ED WRIGHT
May 20, 2010, 9:45 p.m.

  When Canton's softball team needed a wake-up call Wednesday afternoon, Jesse Larner's bat served as the alarm clock.

  With her team trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning of the KLAA Kensington Conference championship game against South Lyon, Larner cranked a two-run home run to start an avalanche of runs.

  The Chiefs followed with a six-run third before cruising to a 9-2 triumph.

  The Kensington Conference champions will play the winner of Wednesday's  Howell-Lakeland game in next Wednesday's KLAA Association championship tilt.

  "There are a lot of good teams in this conference, so this means a lot to the program and the girls," said Canton coach Jim Arnold. I didn't think we were mentally into it early in the game today, but once Jesse hit that home run, it was like everybody said, 'O.K., it's time to get going.'"

  The Chiefs turned a nail-biter into a no-doubter when they sent 11 batters to the plate in the third inning. Heidi Lucke opened the difference-making frame with a double, Amy Dunleavy walked and Sam Partain reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases.

  CarolAnn Sexauer gave the Chiefs the lead for good with an RBI single. Lauren Leskovictz (walk), Katie Mattson (fielder's choice), Larner (walk), Logan Langford (single) and Jessica Webster) followed with run-producing at-bats.

  The Chiefs added a solo run in the sixth.

  Larner, the Chiefs' catcher, ended the game by picking a South Lyon runner of first base.

  Dunleavy was stellar on the mound for Canton, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out seven in a complete-game effort.

  The Chiefs took advantage of three South Lyon errors. Canton committed just one fielding miscue.

  Canton made efficient use of its six hits. No Canton player had more than one safety.


Jessica Webster laces a hit during the Chiefs' 9-2 win over South Lyon Wednesday afternoon. (John Kemski photo)