Crushers build big lead to win record eighth win of season

Canton pitcher Jim Spirito won his second game of the season Sunday in a 10-8 Tri-State League win over Torrington. 

CANTON, June 28, 2026 — Cole Verano was 4-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI as the Canton Crushers won their third straight game with a 10-8 win over the Torrington Thunder on Sunday at Bowdoin Field in Tri-State League action.

With 13 hits, Canton (8-4) built a six-run lead, 10-4, before Torrington closed the gap in the final innings.

It is the best record the team has had in its Tri-State League existence. The Crushers have set a new single season record for wins and have never been four games over .500 before. Canton’s second 3-game winning streak is a club record, too.

It is the fifth time this season that Canton has had 13 hits or more in a single game.

Angel Christiano had two hits for Canton while seven other players had at least one hit in the game. Winning pitcher Jim Spirito (2-2) had a double while Ben Sullivan had a RBI triple.

Three Canton pitchers combined to strike out nine but they also walked nine and allowed a season-high 14 hits. Jim Spirito scattered 10 hits over six innings, striking out five, walking five and allowing four runs.

Trailing 2-0 in the first inning, Canton scored four runs on a RBI triple from Sullivan, a RBI single from Jack Rose, a RBI fielder’s choice from Jeff Mulhall and a RBI single from Jake Bryant.

Leading 5-4, Canton scored five times in the sixth inning with a two-out rally to take a commanding lead. With two outs and one runner on first base, Nate Hiscox and Tom Spirito singled to load the bases.

A walk drove in one run, Varano’s RBI single drove in a run and Christiano drove in two runs with a fly to center field. Sullivan loaded the bases again when he was hit by a pitch. The fifth run scored on a wild pitch.

Canton returns to action on Tuesday when they host Winsted at Bowdoin Field at 5:45 p.m.

Canton 10, Torrington 8
At Canton
Torrington (2-11)      210  001  103  — 8-14-0
Canton (8-4)              410  005  00x – 10-13-3
Brady Doherty, Colby Morgan (7) and Yadiel Santana; Jim Spirito, Jake Bryant (7), Nate Hiscox (8) and Jeff Mulhall; WP: Spirito (2-2); LP: Doherty; Save: Hiscox (1); 2B: Jim Spirito (C), Yadiel Santana (T); 3B: Ben Sullivan (C), Ty Brzezicki (T); Of note: Three Canton pitchers combine to strike out 9 and walk 9; Cole Varano (C) 4-4, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI; Angel Christiano (C) 2-5, 2 RBI; Jack Rose (C) 1-3, 1 run scored, 2 RBI; Jack McCoy (T) 4-5, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI; Robert Anton (T) 3-5, 1 run scored, 1 RBI