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By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

In a season chock full of blowouts, Topeka High's softball team finally received, and passed, a test in Tuesday's Class 6A regional championship game at Hummer Sports Park.

The Trojans, who improved to 22-0, snapped a 1-1 tie with two fourth-inning runs and let star junior pitcher NiJaree Canady do the rest, with Topeka High pulling out a 3-1 victory over Centennial League rival Manhattan to advance to next week's 6A state tournament.

Topeka High junior pitcher NiJaree Canady celebrates with teammates after closing out Tuesday's 3-1 win over Manhattan in a Class 6A regional championship game. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Topeka High's high-powered offense was limited to just three hits, but that was enough as Canady twirled a one-hitter and struck out 16 to key the Trojans' victory.

Star senior catcher Zoe Caryl had a triple, a run batted in and scored a run for Topeka High, while Adisyn Caryl and Elycia Joyce also had hits, Adisyn Caryl a run batted in and Mia Kelly two runs scored.

Zoe Caryl said Tuesday's tough test from Manhattan (12-10) was probably good for the Trojans heading into next week's state tourney at the Shawnee Mission District Softball Complex.

"I think it was good before we go to state,'' Caryl said. "We, I think as a whole, had very poor pitch selection this game, me included, so going into state where we're going to see movement pitches, where we're going to see teams that are going to bunt, where we're going to see teams that are going to put balls into play, I think it was good to see that now instead of it being sprung upon us in the next three games.

"A win's a win in the end, so I'll take it.''

Topeka High coach Shane Miles agreed.

"Having this close game really helped us,'' Miles said. "Does it make me nervous? Yeah, but it's going to do us good for the state tournament coming up because those games are going to be close, too, and those games are going to come down to one play or two plays.''

Topeka High junior pitcher NiJaree Canady pitched a one-hitter and struck out 16 in the Trojans' 3-1 win over Manhattan Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The key to Tuesday's win was the performance of Canady, who seemed to pick up steam as she went along.

"She did get stronger and that's kind of the tale of her tape,'' Miles said. "She kind of feels out the hitters her first time around and then she kicks it in another gear.

"She just gets stronger the more she throws.''

Topeka High softball coach Shane Miles (right) presents the Class 6A regional championship trophy to his Trojans Tuesday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf]

Topeka High, which also made it to state in 2019 before losing the 2020 season to COVID, will compete in the state tourney next Thursday and Friday (May 27-28), with the pairings to be announced after all regional tournaments are completed.

CLASS 6A SOFTBALL REGIONAL

Championship

TOPEKA HIGH 3, MANHATTAN 1

Manhattan (12-10) 010 000 0 -- 1 1 1

Topeka High (22-0) 100 200 x -- 3 3 1

Goos, McGee (5) and Nitzel. Canady and Z. Caryl. W -- Canady. L -- Goos. 3B -- Topeka High: Z. Caryl.