Canton ends World Series run with win over Canada
By Connor Erickson
Citizen Staff
Canton’s
incredible World Series run ended last Friday with a win in a
consolation game over Canada.
Canton
finished with a 1-3 record in the first round of games against
the other American teams — losing two of them by two runs or
less. Their record put them in fourth place and resulted in a
consolation game against Coquitlam, British Columbia, the
fourth-place international team.
Players, coaches, families and
fans gather for a photo during the World Series in Taylor,
Michigan.
Canton
approached the game against the Canadians with a different
attitude and style than their previous games. Players that
hadn’t played much throughout the tournament were given quality
time to participate in the World Series.
Canton also
played players outside of their normal positions and used six
different pitchers. The adjustments didn’t faze our hometown
boys, however, as they won the game 7-4 in eight innings.
“Everyone
contributed,” said coach Mike Tamasi. “Great defensive plays
were made by Scott Levy, Colin Clapton and Chris Barletta.”
Although
Canton failed to make it out of the first round, it was much
closer to playing in a more meaningful game over the weekend
than its 1-3 record would indicate. The only game that players
felt they were outmatched in was a 12-0 loss to Hawaii on
Tuesday.
“We felt
they were the best team,” Tamasi said. “The pitcher threw close
to 80 miles per hour.”
On
Wednesday, Canton lost a nail biter to a talented Virginia team.
Down early 7-2, the team fought back, as it had so many times
before, and brought the score to within one in the sixth inning.
Unfortunately, Virginia hung on and won the game 8-6.
Thursday was
Canton’s last game of the first round and it lost a heartbreaker
to Iowa, 2-1.
“This was
the best baseball game that we played both ways the whole
tournament,” Tamasi said. “Brendan Sullivan pitched a complete
game.”
Canton held
Iowa scoreless through six innings with a combination of near
flawless pitching and defense; but Iowa managed to put two runs
up on the board in the seventh, handing Canton its second tough
loss in as many days.
Canton, by
all accounts, had a legendary run to the Junior League World
Series. It overcame a number of deficits along the way, and
battled on, round after round, until it was one of only ten
teams left in the world. In the end, just a handful of victories
separated the team from being crowned World Series champions.
“Our record
(2-3) didn’t reflect how well we played. We ran into some great
pitching that we hadn’t seen in the past,” Tamasi said.
The closing
ceremonies took place last weekend and were a very special
moment for the team. Canton received a medal, a plaque, a pin,
and every player and coach received a World Series certificate
of participation.
Tamasi said
both the players and the fans represented Canton well and
respected their opponents and everyone involved in the event.
“We got
several comments about what a great group of players, parents
and fans we were,” he said.
Tamasi,
speaking for the entire team, said he wanted to thank the
players, parents, fans and the community for their support
during their run to the World Series.
Canton players huddle before the game.
A Canton player
signs an autograph
August 21, 2008
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