Canton holds off late Southington rally to beat 66ers for third victory, 5-3

Canton shortstop Heath Cotton had a key RBI double in the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s Tri-State League win over Southington.

CANTON, July 12 – The Canton Crushers scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning and reliever Chris Van deBogart worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh inning to lead the Crushers to a 5-3 win over Southington 66ers Tuesday night in Tri-State League action at Bowdoin Field.

After Southington cut the Canton lead to one run, the Crushers scored twice in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. Jim Spirito led off the inning with a single and scored on Heath Cotton’s RBI double. With two outs, Cotton scored on Van deBogart’s RBI single to extend the lead to three runs.

Southington (6-10) cut the lead to two on a RBI double from Adam Wilson and proceeded to load the bases with one out. But the Crushers were able to slip away with Van deBogart striking out leadoff hitter Steven Roy to secure the victory and pick up his first save of the year.

Canton starting pitcher Taylor Riley (1-6) scattered seven hits, allowed just two runs and struck out one to earn the victory.

Canton (3-13) took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Ben Sullivan singled and scored on Spirito’s RBI double. Cotton walked and with one out, Spirito and Cotton scored on Riley’s two-RBI double.

Spirito was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI for the Crushers while Riley , Cotton, Jake Bryant and Van deBogart each had hits.

Canton returns to the field on Thursday when they tangle with the Valley Thunder (2-14) at Tyrell Middle School in Wolcott at 5:30 p.m. The Crushers conclude the season on Sunday when they host East Mountain (1-13) at 5 p.m. at Bowdoin Field.

Canton 5, Southington 3
At Canton
Southington (6-10)        010  100  1  — 3-9-0
Canton (3-13)                300  002  x  – 5-7-1
Andrew Goralski and Alexis Mendez; Taylor Riley, Chris Van deBogart (6) and Jeff Mulhall; WP: Riley (1-6), LP: Goralski; Save: Van deBogart (1); 2B: Jim Spirito (C), Heath Cotton (C), Taylor Riley (C), Adam Wilson (S); Melenez (S)