Sliders have four-run lead over Canton in suspended playoff contest

Sliders third baseman Tyler Giambia looks to collect the ball and tag out Canton’s Danny Petro in a third inning rundown at Bowdoin Field on Tuesday night.

CANTON, July 28, 2026 – In June, Canton pitcher Jake Bryant pitched a complete game against the Connecticut Sliders, limiting them to just five hits and striking out eight in an five-run victory.

In Tuesday night’s Tri-State League playoff game at Bowdoin Field, the visiting Sliders had more success this time against Bryant rapping out four hits to take a 4-0 lead after five innings before the game was suspended by rain.

The game is scheduled to resume in the top of the sixth on Wednesday in Canton but forecasts for heavy rain could delay the contest. Tri-State League rules stipulate that playoff games need to be played in full.

The winner of the qualification game will challenge No. 2 seed and defending league champion Bethlehem (14-6) in a best-of-3 quarterfinal series beginning on Saturday.

Through five innings, the Sliders’ Josh Dobratz is 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Dobratz gave the Sliders a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a RBI double to left field, scoring teammate Joe Dicosta, who had singled in front of him.

In the fourth inning, the Sliders’ first three batters all reached base. Ryan Montini led off with a double and moved to third on Kyle Giambra’s single. Montini scored on Ben Richardson’s RBI single. Dobratz’ two-out single gave the Sliders a 4-0 lead.

“We swung the bats well. We faced the same pitcher earlier this year and was able to get us out,” Sliders coach Pat Smith said. “We were just able to put a little more pressure on him, put some good work on the ball and thankfully some balls fell.”

Canton’s lone hits thus far have come from Angel Christiano with a first-inning down the right field line and a second inning double from Jeff Mulhall.

Sliders center fielder Luke Sokolski threw out Mike Sullivan at home plate in the second inning. Sullivan was trying to score from first base on Mulhall’s double.

Sliders starting pitcher Henry Marino pitched four innings, allowing two this and striking out five. The No. 10-seeded Sliders came into the game at 7-13 while No. 7 Canton (11-9) is looking for their first-ever playoff win.

CT Sliders 4, Canton 0, suspended
At Canton
CT Sliders        001  30  — 4-8-0
Canton             000  00  — 0-2-1
Henry Marino, Luke Sokolski (5) and Jordan Giambra; Jake Bryant, Matt Rose (4) and Danny Petro; 2B: Angel Christiano (C), Jeff Mulhall (C), Josh Dobratz (S), Ryan Montini (S); Of note: All seven innings must be played in Tri-State playoffs. Game is set to resume Tuesday in the top of the sixth inning at Bowdoin Field.