Rough Tri-State League debut for Canton

Mike Bowes slides into home with the first run of the game and the first in Canton Crusher history Sunday against Torrington.

TORRINGTON, May 18 – This wasn’t the kind of debut that Canton Crushers manager Tom Dubois envisioned when he organized the Tri-State League’s newest baseball team.

It was a rough Tri-State debut for the Crushers on Sunday night at historic Fuessenich Park. Canton pitchers walked 11 Torrington batters, threw three wild pitches and hit a batter. The Crusher defense wasn’t any better committing 11 errors in a 17-3 loss to the host Rebels.

“We gave that game away with our errors,” Dubois said. “And we weren’t really there at the plate.”

Torrington held a three run lead after five innings, 5-2. But the Rebels scored 12 runs in the next three innings. “They made a few mistakes and that helped us out for sure,” Torrington player/manager Curtis Anthony said. “I’m sure they’ll get better with every game. You have to take what they give you.”

There were some bright spots for Canton – just not enough to be in position to win the game.

Shortstop Steve Dubois was two-for-four with a double, triple and two RBI. His RBI triple in the first inning into right field gave Canton a 1-0 lead. It scored Mike Bowes from first base after Bows singled on the first pitch he saw. Dubois also had a RBI double to centerfield in the sixth inning, scoring Spencer Griffin, who had singled. Other Canton hits came from Jim Spirito and Sean Dury.

Canton reliever Cory Miles struck out seven Torrington batters in nearly five innings Sunday against the Rebels.

Griffin made a terrific run and catch in centerfield in the second inning on a drive by Anthony that would have scored two runs if it had fallen in for a hit. Reliever Cory Miles pitched well for two innings with three strikeouts and one walk before running into trouble in the sixth and seventh inning. Miles did finish with seven strikeouts in nearly 4 2/3 innings of work.

Canton took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Bowes singled and Dubois followed with a one-out triple to right field. But Torrington starter Dan Livingston settled down. He allowed just two more hits, walked one and struck out five in seven innings.

“We always expect Dan to keep us in the game,” Anthony said.

Thanks to three walks from Canton starter Chris Colon, an error, a passed ball and one hit batter, Torrington scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Austin Poucher had an RBI single for the Rebels.

Colon walked four more batters in the second and third inning but was able to keep the Rebels off the scoreboard. Canton cut the lead to 5-2 in the sixth inning on a one-out single from Griffin and a two-out double from Steve Dubois.

Torrington extended its lead to 9-2 in the sixth. Torrington catcher Greg Bodnov had an RBI triple and scored on a double steal after a strikeout. Torrington’s Eric Rinaldi ripped a two-RBI single in the seventh as the Rebels scored three more to take a 12-2 lead. Rebel shortstop Bryan Failla was 4-for-5 with a double and one RBI.

Canton returns to the field next Sunday with its first home game at Bowdoin Field at 5 p.m. when the Crushers host the Burlington Hunters.

SPECIAL FIRST PITCH: The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by the family of the late Aaron Maziarz, who passed away in November. Aaron, who played baseball at Litchfield High, also played with the Rebels and the Litchfield Cowboys in the Tri-State League. First pitches were thrown out by Aaron’s two children, Andrew, age 2, and Celia, age 4, and Aaron’s brother, Mark.

From left, Andrew Maziarz, Mark Maziarz and Celia Maziarz throw out the first pitches before Sunday’s Tri-State League game.

NOTES: With the first game in team history, there were some milestone events for Canton — First hit: Mike Bowes, single, first inning; First extra base hit: Steve Dubois, triple, first inning; First double: Dubois, sixth inning; First RBI: Dubois, first inning; First run scored: Bowes, first inning; First defensive out: Bowes

Torrington 17, Canton 3
At Torrington
Canton (0-1)                        100  010  001 – 3-6-11
Torrington (1-0)                   500  004  35x –17-11-2
Chris Colon, Cory Miles (4), Jim Spirito (8) and Grant Synder, Muweeb Alam (8); Dan Livingston, Ian Pierce (8), Chris Kaiser (9) and Greg Bodnov; WP: Livingston (1-0); LP: Colon (0-1); 2B: Bryan Failla (T), Steve Dubois (C); 3B: Greg Bodnov (T), Steve Dubois (C)