The Canton Eaglettes made their first state softball tournament in 2024. (Brandon Ogden/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

AUSTIN — Liberty scored four runs each in the third and fourth innings, and Brookelyn Taylor shut out a high-powered Canton offense on the way to a 10-0 victory in six innings in the Class 4A softball semifinals on Thursday night at Red and Charline McCombs Field.

Canton had scored 110 runs in its 10 playoff games entering Thursday night and had four hits the first three innings — and six total — but were unable to score against Brookelyn Taylor, who had nine strikeouts and three walks in six innings.

The Eaglettes were also hurt by six errors — two each in the third and fourth innings.

“When we think about this season, I want them to think about all of the awesome things we did,” Canton head softball coach Russell Smith said. “We had one stinker out of however many games, so just think about all of the good things we’ve done this year. Think about your teammates; think about the laughs and all of that. That’s the thing I want everybody to remember, because it was an awesome season, something they need to be proud of.

“In those first two innings, we played some fantastic softball and showed who we were. Liberty is unbelievably good, and they put pressure on us. Just for me to be able to challenge them at the beginning of the year of trying to get here and the fact that we made it happen. A lot of people throughout the state are saying let’s get to the state tournament, but they don’t really believe that. We meant it, we knew we could do it and the fact we had the fortitude to make it happen is really special.”

Canton finished the season at 32-9 and reached the state tournament for the first time in program history.

Payton Bray led off the game with a single for Canton. Kara Pride singled to give the Eaglettes runners on first and second. After Brookelyn Taylor got Amrie Clower to foul out to her sister Bayleigh Taylor near the third-base dugout, Katrina Morphis grounded to short, where Kylee Bishop fielded the ball and fired to Bayleigh Taylor at third to get Bray for the second out. Grace Thompson walked before Rylee Busby popped out to second to end the top of the first inning with the bases loaded.

Liberty got a one-out single from Bishop before Hollie Thomas hit a sharp liner to second base, where Lily Cervantes made a diving stop and fired it to shortstop Chloe Howe at second, and Howe then threw it to Morphis for a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play.

Canton got a leadoff single from Howe to start the second inning. Addy Henderson moved Howe to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Brookleyn Taylor then struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

Jaycee Bullard retired the Lady Panthers in order in the bottom of the second.

Pride was hit by a pitch to lead off the third inning. After two outs, Thompson singled, but Brookelyn Taylor came back with a strikeout to keep the shutout intact.

Liberty broke through in the bottom of the third. Bryana Pantalion singled with two outs and advanced to third on a throwing error. Pantalion scored on an RBI single by Bailee Slack to take a 1-0 lead. After a Bishop single, Thomas singled, and Slack started to go home but turned around and got caught a rundown. The ball was eventually thrown into the outfield to score all three runs to give Liberty a 4-0 lead.

Brookelyn Taylor struck out the side in the top of the fourth, and Liberty scored four more runs in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on two more Canton errors.

A Bray walk and a Pride single started off the fifth, but Clower flied out to center, and Morphis’ line drive looked like it would be a run-scoring hit, but Liberty shortstop Bishop made the jumping grab and turned the double play to end the inning.

Liberty got consecutive two-out doubles by Abby Vickers and Marina Bourgeios to added a run in the fifth inning.

Thompson walked to lead off the sixth, and Busby followed with a double, but Liberty’s defense came through once again, throwing Thompson out at home. Brookelyn Taylor responded with two straight strikeouts to end the inning.

Liberty tackled on the final run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Bullard allowed two earned runs on 13 hits with one strikeout and two walks in 5.1 innings.

Pride had two hits. Bray, Thompson, Busby and Howe all had a hit.

Bishop led Liberty with three hits. Thomas, Vickers, Bourgeios and Pantalion all had two hits.

It was the final game for Canton seniors Bray, Bullard, Clower, Thompson, Morphis, Mykah Mebane and Ellie Cox.

“They have meant everything,” Smith said. “They upped the ante to what we can do in Canton softball. They’ve been fantastic leaders, fantastic teammates, fantastic friends and great softball players, too. We’re going to miss them.”

After the game, Liberty’s seniors Slack, Thomas and Ashlyn Cordova were recognized with a graduation ceremony since they will miss Liberty High School’s graduation.

Liberty (41-2) will play Corpus Christi Calallen (33-2) in the Class 4A championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday. Calallen won 8-1 over Sanger on Thursday. It is the fourth consecutive year for Liberty to be in the championship game, winning it all in 2021 and 2022.