Legion baseball team off to strong start
By Mike Berger
Matt Pigeon, pictured during the recent CHS baseball season, has helped power the Canton Legion team to a strong start. (Mike Barucci photo)
The Canton American Legion Post 24 Senior Division baseball team came from behind to beat an error-prone Holbrook team 10-9 in the bottom of the seventh inning on Monday evening.
With the win, Canton improved its record to 2-1 and stood in fourth place in the eight-team District 6 East Division heading into Tuesday’s scheduled road game against Cohasset. Hyde Park, who Canton beat handily last week, is currently in first place at 4-1, followed by Quincy and Braintree.
In their recent home win over Holbrook, Canton fell behind early and trailed by as much as five before finally catching up in the bottom of the sixth inning, tying the game with a combination of walks, passed balls, and a booming two-run triple by Pigeon.
With the score knotted at 9 going into the bottom of the seventh, 14-year-old Anthony Tilton, who had pitched well for Canton in a relief role, drew a walk and then advanced to second on a sacrifice by Matt Hadley. After Nate Quan was intentionally walked, George Currier came through with a double to drive home the winning run.
In addition to the clutch play at the plate, several players came up big defensively in the top half of the seventh to help preserve the tie. Centerfielder Tommy Fisher made a catch and great throw to cut down a runner trying to score from third, with catcher Matt Pigeon applying the tag. Quan also made a great defensive play at shortstop, stopping a ground ball headed to centerfield. Relief pitcher Brandon Sherman was credited as the winning pitcher.
The Legion team’s other win to date came last Wednesday, June 12, as they cruised past Hyde Park 7-1 at Roxbury Latin. Tom Jasmin struck out seven batters over six innings and Jon Olson led the hitting attack with a four-hit game, including a pair of doubles and a triple. Fisher knocked in two runs with a single and Hadley hit a homerun.
Two days later, Canton traveled to Braintree where they lost a close game to Braintree’s Post 86, 4-2. Joe Bates and Noel Martinez both pitched well for the visitors in the loss while Martinez chipped in at the plate with an RBI single.
Despite the Braintree loss, Canton head coach Rich Jasmin is very excited about the potential of his young team.
“We have only three returnees from last year, but it is a very talented team with players from Canton, Stoughton, Sharon, and players from Catholic Memorial, Tabor Academy and Southeastern Regional,” Jasmin said. “All these players could return next year too. We hope to make the playoffs and make some noise.”
Weather permitting, Canton was due to host Dedham on Wednesday, June 19, and then travel to Quincy on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. game at Adams Field. Next week looks similarly busy with games scheduled on Sunday at Weymouth, Monday versus Hyde Park, Wednesday at Braintree, Thursday versus Cohasset, and Friday at Holbrook. Both home games will start at 5:45 p.m. at Canton High School.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=57798
Posted by Mike Berger
on Jun 22 2019. Filed under Beyond CHS, Sports.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
