TOPEKA, Kan. – NiJaree Canady threw a four-inning perfect game Tuesday against visiting Junction City and then combined with Quincy Smith to come within one error of a three-inning perfect game in the second game. The 15-0, 15-0 wins not only put the finishing touches on a 20-0 regular season, but also clinched a 16-0 mark and the program’s first Centennial League championship.
“Winning a league title was one of our goals at the start of the season,” High coach Shane Miles said. “We have accomplished that. I want the girls to enjoy it and celebrate it because it has never been done in school history. The girls will get to see a banner hanging in the dungeon. I am so proud of them and the work that they have put in.
“This title is about the players. These girls have shown leadership, dedication, and what hard work will do. We still have some goals that we need to take care of in the next few weeks.”
High will be the No. 1 seed in the Class 6A west bracket and will play host to a sub-state with the schedule to be determined at Saturday’s seeding meeting.
While softball was making history in Topeka, the Trojan baseball team was making some of its own in Junction City. While a 4-1, 9-5 sweep of the Blue Jays didn’t produce a league title for the Trojans, it did wrap up a 14-6 regular-season campaign for the program.
That set the school record for wins in a season by a High baseball team.
“This record couldn’t have been set by a better group of young men,” High coach Cody Miller said. “Each guy has put in so much time and effort this year. And our seniors and the rest of the coaching staff have provided so much leadership throughout the year.
“I didn’t know if we’d be able to turn this program around this quickly, but the character and effort of our players has sped up the process. I’m just really proud of this group and happy that they will have the record for wins moving forward because they deserve it.”
High won the first game 4-1 in nine innings, scoring three in the ninth for the win. Aiden Feldhausen delivered a big two-run single to give the Trojans the lead and Dillon Mitchell threw seven innings of one-run ball to keep High in it until the end before Nathan Plankinton closed it out.
In the second game, Max Colombo went 3 for 3 with a triple and Casey Champney drove in three runs, while Lukas Brennan and Devon Keeling each had two RBI. Colombo also came on in relief and struck out five in two innings to close out the win.
In the softball sweep, Canady struck out 11 in five-plus innings of work, allowing no hits. She also smacked her city-best 11th home run of the season in the opener and drove in three. Zoe Caryl had five RBI in the first game, while Adisyn Caryl and Quincy Smith each drove in five in the second game with High erupting for 11 runs in the first inning.
