With two straight wins, Canton secures spot in Class S state tournament

Drew Ferrone’s RBI double drove in the winning run in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Somers as the Warriors won two straight to earn a spot in the Class S tournament. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

CANTON, May 15 – On Saturday, the Canton High baseball team was disappointed. The Warriors committed four errors and struck out 11 times and lost to a Gilbert School team that had won just two of their 16 games coming into the contest at Bowdoin Field.

It was the fifth loss in the last seven games for the Warriors.

But Canton rebounded nicely this week. The Warriors beat Somers, 1-0 on Tuesday and clinched a spot in the CIAC Class S tournament on Wednesday with a 4-1 victory over Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy (HMTCA) in North Central Connecticut Conference action.

Canton (8-10, 8-8 NCCC) is headed to the postseason under head coach Greg Brisco for the fourth straight season – its longest postseason streak since going four consecutive years from 2002-05.

Pitcher Matt Rose was outstanding on Tuesday, throwing his second complete game of the season in a 1-0 decision on the road. Rose went seven innings, allowed just one hit and struck out seven. He didn’t walk a batter.

Matt Rose pitched his second complete game of the season on Tuesday in a 1-0 win over Somers. He struck out seven. (Photo courtesy Paul Amrose)

Canton scored their only run in the fourth inning. Gavin Wood led off the inning with a single to center field and moved to second on Jack Rose’s single to left field. Matt Rose grounded into a double play but Wood was able to make it to third base.

Drew Ferrone’s double to center field drove in the game-winning run.

Somers (5-12) threatened in the sixth inning. Cade Raymond doubled with two outs in the inning but was stranded there when Matt Rose coaxed Brady Coleman into flying out.

Jack Rose was 2-for-3 in the victory for the Warriors.

On Wednesday, Canton had just six hits but three were for extra bases as the Warriors won, 4-1. Canton took a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Matt Rose doubled and scored on Ferrone’s RBI triple to center field. After a walk to Scafuri, No. 9 hitter Michael Brosnan ripped a two-run double to center field for a 3-0 advantage.

On the mound, pitcher Michael Sullivan went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and striking out five. Scafuri pitched a scoreless seventh inning in relief, striking out the side to earn his first save of the season.

Canton returns to action on Thursday when they travel to East Hampton to face the Bellringers in a non-league contest.

Canton 4, HMTCA 1
At Canton
HMTCA (2-15)                  000  100  0 – 1-6-1
Canton (8-10)                  030  010  x – 4-6-0
Jaedan Carreo and unknown; Michael Sullivan, Devin Brown (6), Ryan Scarfuri (7) and Matt Rose; WP: Sullivan (4-5), LP: Carreo; 2B: Michael Bronson (Ca), Matt Rose (Ca), Deaundre Bobb (H); 3B: Drew Ferrone (Ca)

Canton 1, Somers 0
At Somers
Canton (7-10)                  000  100  0  — 1-4-0
Somers (5-12)                  000  000  0  — 0-1-0
Matt Rose and unknown; Nate Lavallee and unknown; WP: Rose (2-1), LP: Lavallee; 2B: Drew Ferrone (Ca), Cade Raymond (S)