Legion Post 24 stuns Braintree in winning week

Recent CHS graduate Kevin Powers has picked up where he left off after a stellar senior season. (Mike Barucci photo)

The Canton American Legion Post 24 baseball team won four of five last week against the iron of the league, including an improbable win over a Braintree squad that features several players from the Division 1A state championship team.

Down two runs and with two outs in the seventh inning, Canton mounted an impressive rally, scoring three runs to end the game and stun Braintree. Canton then handed Quincy its first loss of the season and went on to easily defeat Hyde Park and Weymouth. The only loss of the week was a 7-2 loss to Quincy on Monday, June 20.

Canton began the week at 3-3 but has since climbed to third place in District 6 East at 7-4, trailing only Quincy (8-2) and Milton (8-4). Post 24 was due to face both teams this weekend with Milton coming to town on Friday and Quincy visiting on Saturday. Both games are at 5:45 p.m.

Head coach Greg Lyons said he has gotten contributions from every player on the team, which consists of some of the best high school talent from Canton, Sharon, Stoughton and Blue Hills Regional, as well as a few returning first-year college players.

The team has been aggressive at the plate and on the bases and has gotten great pitching from Ryan Riley, Kevin Powers, Andrew Bryant, Ryan Sullivan, and Andrew Filipkowski.

“We are a deep team, but for example Sunday night, we were missing some guys and it’s next man up,” Lyons said. “Guys step in and are ready to go. Right now, everyone is hitting and playing well.”

Not often does Canton beat Braintree, but to beat them with one out left in the game and trailing by two runs is particularly impressive. The comeback featured key hits by Pat Vartanian, Aidan Arnold, and Luke Johnson, who drove in the winning run with an opposite-field double.

Canton previously led 3-0 on five consecutive hits, with Vartanian and Bryant both driving in runs. Riley pitched well and earned the victory, striking out eight Braintree batters.

The next night against Quincy, Canton struck quickly with two runs in the first, both driven in by Arnold. Canton added five more in the fourth with RBIs by Powers, Sullivan, Vartanian, and Arnold. Sullivan and Jack Connelly added to the lead with RBI hits in the fifth. Filipkowski was credited with the win and Sullivan pitched well in relief.

Against Hyde Park on Friday, Powers pitched a complete-game, four-hit shutout as Canton rolled to an 11-0 victory. Powers and Sullivan each hit triples while Connolly, Bryant, Isaac Milley, Joe Bires, and Arnold all knocked in runs. Milley also played outstanding at shortstop.

With a lot of regulars out Sunday evening, Canton still cruised to an 8-3 win over Weymouth. Mike McMahon and Bryant both pitched well in the victory and Vartanian paced the offense with three hits.

Joe Peccia also continued his hot hitting throughout the week with several extra-base hits, and Matt Schaffer played well on defense in the outfield and continued to get on base.

This week Canton was due to host Holbrook on Monday, then travel to Braintree Tuesday and Cohasset Wednesday before hosting Milton and Quincy over the weekend. The team will then visit Braintree on July 5 and travel to Hyde Park on July 6.

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=33748