MITCHELL — The Canova Gang hoisted No. 6 on Sunday.

Canova — a community that oozes small-town baseball in South Dakota — added to its storied amateur baseball legacy at Cadwell Park. The Gang blanked Lesterville, 4-0, in the Class B state championship, securing its sixth-ever title and first since 2018. 

Canova, a town of less than 100 people, sported their red and yellow-clad apparel and helped pack Cadwell Park with more than 1,000 fans in attendance. 

“We are a baseball town and it kind of keeps us relevant,” said Canova third baseman Kendall Gassman, the tournament MVP. “We are a small town, but still able to do this and go this far in the tournament is something special.”

Canova, which was making its 15th-ever state title game appearance, also won championships in 1966, ‘71, ‘79 and 2009. Canova lost its last championship berth, a 11-3 decision against Alexandria in 2020. 

“This is one of the best feelings in the world,” Canova manager/catcher Garrett Gassman said. “Fourth time I’ve been in this game. The third time we’ve won and the last time we didn’t fare so well. So getting back here and getting the job done this time was awesome.”

The Gang followed its winning formula for another state championship. Canova racked up 11 hits, committed zero errors and received a complete-game performance from ace Trey Krier.

“We didn’t want to let it get to our heads,” said Kendall Gassman, who hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning. “We know it’s a big game. We didn’t want to play any different than usual, especially with Trey. He’s amazing.”

Krier threw a four-hitter, struck out two batters and issued zero walks on 83 pitches. He added a hit at the plate. 

“It’s just fun to be out on the mound and pitch,” Krier said. “To be in control of the pace of the game and have a defense behind you that’s going to make plays. I just had to throw strikes and our defense made plays to get us through the nine innings.”

The winning formula also included just enough run support. Canova’s Jared Miller hit an RBI single for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth. 

Lesterville’s Alex Wagner, who struck out 13 batters in the opener against Platte, kept Canova without another run until the fifth inning. 

That’s when Kendall Gassman smacked a two-out, three-run homer over the 374-foot sign in right-center field. The homer looked like another deep fly ball at spacious Cadwell Park, but it carried over the fence. 

“Ball down the middle and as soon as I hit, I thought ‘Oh cool, a gapper,’ ” Gassman said. “I put that one over and I just kept running. I didn't expect it.”

It not only lifted Canova on the scoreboard, but also in the dugout and in the stands. 

“(Lesterville) had come back from a couple runs down almost every game they played,” said Garrett Gassman, who had a hit. “So obviously getting to that four spot was huge, and not only that, but the way it happened I think was definitely a little deflating for them. That was a huge hit. It catapulted us and you saw everybody erupt out of the dugout. You could immediately tell that it took the wind out of their tails a little bit.”

Krier benefited from it on the mound, too. Krier continued to work in and out of innings, putting up zeros on the scoreboard until the ninth inning. 

“I was on deck and that’s about the deepest sigh of relief when I saw that ball go over the fence,” Krier said. “Pitching with a one-run lead is a lot different than a four-run lead.”

Lesterville, which was playing in its first state championship since 1950, received two hits from Michael Drotzmann. Tyler Edler and Andy Dollerschell added hits. 

Wagner struck out six batters, allowed four earned runs on 11 hits and walked one batter on 128 pitches. 

Justin Miller had a team-high three hits for Canova. Jared Miller, Jason Miller, Cole Gassman, Kalub Carmichael and Riley Genzlinger each had hits. 

“It’s just fun to be out here and to be a part of the Canova Gang community and the environment is really something special,” Krier said. “I got a lot of family involved here. I got a lot of friends and to be able to get out here on this stage and play for a state championship with a bunch of guys that you truly care about is a lot of fun.”