14U CANISTOTA/FREEMAN STICKS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS

Canistota/Freeman’s 14U Teener team used an 11-run fifth inning to seize the momentum and win the biggest game in Sticks program history, claiming the 2021 Class B VFW state championship Sunday night, July 24 in Freeman.

The host team won 14-3, knocking off the three-time defending champions six years after the Sticks program was established by Canistota coach Brad Miller and Freeman coach Dustin Tschetter.

The Sticks — who were an automatic state-qualifier because they were the host team and entered the tournament with an 11-9 record — defeated Baltic (9-7) 6-1 in the first round on Friday, Clark (17-10) 12-1 on Saturday before taking out Canova (14-2) on Sunday.

Watch for extensive coverage in the upcoming issue of The Courier.

Here are the full results from the three-day tournament hosted by the Sticks:

First round

Parkston 16, Onida 6

Canova 5, Salem/Montrose 2

Clark 16, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton 14

Canistota/Freeman 6, Baltic 1

Second round

Salem/Montrose 18, Onida 2

MVP 12, Baltic 0

Canova 15, Parkston 10

Canistota/Freeman 12, Clark 1

Medal round

Consolation championship: MVP 12, Salem 0

3rd/4th: Parkston 17, Clark 6

Championship: Canistota/Freeman 14, Canova 3