MITCHELL — The Gang is back in the state championship game.

Canova collected 14 hits, scored 12 runs in the final three innings and eliminated Cornbelt League foe Dell Rapids PBR in the Class B state amateur baseball tournament on Saturday, 14-4. 

Canova will now play in its 15th-ever state championship game, taking on Lesterville as its gunning for a sixth Class B state championship.

On Saturday, Canova’s bats came to life in the final three innings to secure a state championship berth. The Gang received hits from nine different players, including five with multiple hits. 

Garrett Gassman finished with two hits and drove in three runs. Trey Krier and Riley Genzlinger had two hits and two RBI apiece. Kendall Gassman had two hits and drove in a run. Justin Miller, Jared Miller, Cole Gassman and Kalub Carmichael each had hits. Cole Gassman drove in two runs. 

Tyler Earls earned the win after allowing three earned runs on eight hits and struck out two batters in eight innings.

For Dell Rapids PBR, Brayden Pankonen and Riley Calhoon had two hits apiece. Chris Burke, Weston Hansen, Connor Spindler and Tanner Solberg each had hits. Solberg drove in two runs, while Pankonen and Riley Hoffman knocked in runs. 

Pankonen took the loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits and struck out five batters in his 5.1-inning start.