Victory over Canton means a lot to Burlington Hunters squad

Canton pitcher Jimmy Spirito went seven innings, scattering seven hits and allowed three runs Sunday at Bowdoin Field.

CANTON – For nearly a decade, the Burlington Hunters were the only Tri-State League team in the Farmington Valley. But with the debut of the Canton Crushers this summer, the Hunters aren’t the only option for players in the area who want to play Tri-State baseball.

The Crushers have three former Hunter players on their roster including starting shortstop Steve Dubois and pitcher Jim Spirito. Despite the fact that Canton is an expansion team, it is a team that the Hunters did not want to lose to.

“The game meant a lot to us,” Burlington player/manager Alex Hansen said. “We know a lot of their guys. A few of them used to play for us. It was definitely a big milestone game for us.”

The Hunters rapped out 11 hits and starting pitcher Andrew Bunger threw eight innings of shutout baseball to lead Burlington to an 8-0 decision at Bowdoin Field Sunday evening. Bunger struck out nine and walked just one. He allowed just five hits. 

“He had a hell of a day,” Hansen said.

It was the first win of the season for Burlington, a team that has its eyes on the Tri-State League playoffs. That means finishing among the top 12 teams in the league. “We have a lot of new names and young talent,” Hansen said. “Hopefully, it can carry us a long way.”

Canton (0-2) played better than it did a week ago in a 17-3 loss to Torrington. But the Crushers still committed two errors, had five passed balls and a wild pitch. They had two overanxious runners thrown out on the basepaths.

“We have to get used to playing together as a team,” Canton player/coach Tom Dubois said. “We didn’t show up for batting practice and it showed.”

The Crushers are learning that one does not just show up and win. There are some experienced players on the other side of the diamond who are focused and ready to play.

Burlington grabbed an early 3-0 lead on a Brady Hecht RBI single in the second inning and a two out, two-RBI double from Ty Morin in the third inning. The Hunters got seven hits off Canton starter Jimmy Spirito in the first three innings but could only manage three runs.

Spirito well in his first start of the season. He scattered seven hits and struck out three. He walked just one batter. He did receive some help behind him from the Crusher defense.

Canton outfielder Nelson Zils hit second baseman Mike Bowes, who threw out Morin, who was trying stretch his double into a triple. Centerfielder Sean Dury made the defensive play of the game, chasing down a ball off the bat of Burlington’s Jeff Maytas. The ball sailed over Dury’s head but he dove to make the catch, get the out and close out the fifth inning.

But Canton struggled to muster an offense. Bowes and shortstop Steve Dubois each had two singles. Chris Colon and Grant Snyder also had singles.

Trailing by three, Spirito and Steve Dubois singled to lead off the seventh inning. But Burlington’s Bunger got two Canton hitters to strike out looking (Victor Rivera, Jon Scippa) and coaxed a fly ball out from Munee Balam.

Burlington (1-1) extended its lead to 4-0 in the eighth on an unearned run. Maytas reached base on a two-out error, moved to second on a walk and scored on a RBI double from Balhmann.

Burlington added another four runs in the ninth thanks to three passed balls, a wild pitch and three walks. A two-RBI single from Matt Dablain was helpful, too.

Burlington 8, Canton 0
At Canton
Burlington (1-1)                    012  000  014 – 8-11-1
Canton (0-2)                        000  000  000 – 0-6-2
Andrew Bunger, Ty Morin (9) and Mike Bahlmann; Jimmy Spirito, Cory Miles (8), Chris Colon (9) and Grant Snyder; WP: Bunger, LP: Spirito (0-1); 2B: Bahlmann (B), Brady Hecht (B), Morin (B).