Precision/KT’s wins women’s softball league title

By Mike Berger

Precision Speed & Strength/KT’s edged American Legion 7-5 in the clinching game of the Canton Women’s Softball League Championships last week, marking the third consecutive season that KT’s has won the title. The win also gave KT’s a perfect season at 16-0.

“This year we had a very special year,” KT’s head coach Christine Wadel said. “We were undefeated, 16-0, a perfect season and our third straight championship. We have a wonderful group of women who really play as a team. We have a very strong lineup from our leadoff hitter to our last hitter. There are no weak links. A new hitter steps up every game to give us a boost. Our pitchers, Missy Clement and Pauline Dion, are great and a huge reason why we have such success.”

The KT’s roster includes: Annie Caruso, Missy Clement, Pauline Dion, Gail Lambert, Courtney Keene, Charlene Cotter, Nisa Packert, Lyn Atkinson, Kelly Migdal, Lori Maver, Caryn Budd, Christine Wadel, Kathy Codella, Barbara Fine, and Debbie Neipris.

KT’s was formed in 1992 by Katie Thompson (KT), who passed from breast cancer in 2002 when she was 34. “[Katie] lived/loved to play softball,” Wadel said. “We play in her honor and with her spirit and her passion.”

Meanwhile, American Legion, despite losing in the title game, had its best season in 35 years, according to head coach Kathy Purdy. The team finished 10-2 in the regular season and won all but two of its playoff games, with both losses coming against KT’s. “Everyone played very, very well,” Purdy said. “I am very proud of all of them. We are looking forward to next year.”

American Legion team members are: Erin Costello, Shirley Sullivan, Jessica Foley, Danielle Pinetta, Kerry Kravitz, Jenna Olin, Melissa McNamara, Danielle Trull-Donahue, Jill Tracy, Lauren Marchardo, Lindsey Allison, Meghan Noyes, Kristen Johanson, Jill O’Connell, and Courtney Robinson. The team manager is Karen MacDougall.

In previous playoff action in the winner’s bracket, KT’s beat Big D’s 11-3 and American Legion defeated Dockray and Thomas 6-3.

In the finals of the loser’s bracket, New Turnpike Café beat BZ & Co. 8-6 and Pete’s Place/Paula’s Package Store (formerly Appraisals) beat Alamo Cafe.

Earlier playoff action saw victories by Dockray over New Turnpike, Big D’s over Pete’s Place/Paula’s, KT’s over Legion 11-9, Big D’s over Dockray 8-3, and Legion over Big D’s 9-5.

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