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ALMEDIA -- Weston Bellows had little chance when Brayden Horton rocketed a long drive toward deep center field. At least it looked that way.
The thing is Canton often made the improbable become reality this season and Bellows did it again, turning around, sprinting deep and making an over-the-shoulder grab which robbed Horton of an RBI double.
Sayre ended Canton's season Thursday in the District 4 Class AA semifinals at Central Columbia, but it is plays like that one which defined its season and which coach Bob Rockwell will long remember. Luke Horton threw a masterful three-hitter and Sayre scored five two-runs, helping the Redskins win 9-2 and reach their second straight district final.
Canton closed a super season 18-4, winning 13 of its last 15 games. The Warriors revealed their character all year, overcoming seven multiple-run deficits and fought hard again, but the Redskins (20-1) were too much.
"This is one of the finest group of boys I ever coached," Rockwell said. "They're just great kids."
Canton was a fairly young team but made a five-win improvement and reached the semifinals while playing at the Class AA level for the first time since 2008. The Warriors won more games than any Canton team since 2014 and frequently showed they were every bit as tough as they were talented.
"These guys have got guts. We have athletes who go out there and compete hard all the time," Rockwell said. "Our kids have to play three sports at Canton, and they do, and I'm grateful that I have them during the spring."
Sayre backed Horton with fantastic defense. Second baseman Jake Burgess took away a potential one-out Cooper Kitchen first-inning single before center fielder David Northrup made a remarkable diving catch in left-center field taking away a potential Hudson Ward double.
An inning later catcher Brayden Horton threw a dime to catch a runner trying to steal. Sayre scored a run in the first inning and three more in the fourth and Horton limited Canton's opportunities from there, striking out six.
Canton pulled within 4-1 in the fourth inning when Kitchen stole home on a first and third, rundown play. Sayre built a 9-1 lead after five innings, but Canton loaded the bases with one out and Hudson Ward's RBI grounder made it, 9-2. Bellows (2 for 3) then smashed a liner, but it was right at left fielder Zach Moore who ended the threat.
Carter Route allowed just an earned run through three innings against an explosive team hitting .376 and averaging 13 runs per game but Sayre consistently delivered in key situations and won its third game against Canton. The Redskins will be playing in their fifth district final since 2009 and handed Canton three of its four losses this season.
"Sayre was the better team. We have to play our best to compete with them. That's how it is," Rockwell said. "That's why they are where they are. You have to give Sayre all the credit. They earned that one."
Canton 000 101 0--2 3 2
Sayre 103 220 x--9 7 2
Carter Route, Joel Schoonover (4), Weston Bellows (5), Brendan Matthews (6), Cooper Kitchen (6) and Cam Bellows. Luke Horton and Brayden Horton. W--Horton. L--Route.
Top Canton hitters: Weston Bellows 2-3; Carter Route 1-2. Top Sayre hitters: Jake Burgess 1-2, 3 runs; Jackson Hubbard 2-2, 2B, 2 RBIs, run; B. Horton 1-3, 2 RBIs; Zach Moore 1-3, RBI, run.
Records: Sayre (20-1), Canton (18-4).