Crushers dominate Torrington for sixth win of the season

Canton pitcher Angel Valentin threw his second nine-inning complete game of the season in Saturday’s win over Torrington. He also had a pair of singles in the game.

Noah Asmar went 4-for-4 with a double and five RBI as the Canton Crushers won their sixth game of the season with an 11-4 victory over the Torrington Thunder at Fuessenich Park in the Tri-State League baseball game Saturday morning.

Canton (6-13) tied a season high of 14 hits. The Crushers also had 14 hits in their season-opening win over Naugatuck in May.

Pitcher Angel Valentin went the distance, throwing a complete nine-inning game for the second time this season. Valentin (3-3) had nine hits and struck out six. He walked none.

Matt Rose was 3-for-4 for Canton, while Jim Spirito (2-4, RBI) and Valentin (2-6) each had two hits in the game. Ben Sullivan also doubled for Canton, which tied a team record for most wins in a season. The Crushers also won six games in 2022.

Gabe Duncan went 2-for-4 for Torrington (2-16).

Canton has two more regular season games remaining: at Valley Kraken in New Milford (July 21) and at the Connecticut Sliders (July 27).

Burlington’s George Zaruba (99) slides safely into second base as Canton second baseman Brandon Spaldolino catches the ball during Thursday’s game at Dunkin Park in Hartford.

Two days earlier, the Crushers played at Dunkin Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Canton took an early 1-0 lead, but surrendered six runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth in an 8-2 loss to the Burlington Hunters. Josue Lopez and Tommaso Tollis each had two hits for Burlington, which had four doubles in the game.

The win moved Burlington (15-3) into a tie for second place with Tri-Town in the Tri-State League standings.

Burlington pitcher Ty Morin gave up nine hits in five innings, but kept the Crushers off the balance throughout the game.

Jim Spirito started for Canton and pitched three scoreless innings before the Hunters scored six in the fourth inning, with five hits and three errors by Canton.

Johnny Cuscovitch doubled for Canton while Mike Sullivan and Jeff Mulhall were each 2-for-2 in the game. Canton center fielder Ben Sullivan and Burlington center fielder Sean O’Donnell each made great diving catches on fly balls in the game.

It was the second consecutive year that the two teams played at Dunkin Park. On Tuesday, Burlington defeated the Valley Ducks 8-4 at Dunkin Park.

Canton 11, Torrington 4
At Torrington
Canton (6-13) 002 402 030 — 11-14-3
Torrington (2-16) 100 102 000 — 4-9-5
Angel Valentin and Noah Asmar; Sam Scott, Jayden Dombrowski (4), Brady Doherty (8) and Kyle Gordon; WP: Valentine (3-3); LP: Shot; 2B: Yadiel Santana (T), Ben Sullivan (C), Noah Asmar (C); REMARK: Canton tied a season record with 14 hits. Asmar (C) was 4-4 with 5 RBI, Matt Rose (C) 3-4, Jim Spirito (C) 2-4, RBI; Valentin (C) complete game, 9 hits, 6 strikeouts, no walks

Burlington 8, Canton 2
At Hartford
Burlington (15-3) 000 620 0 — 8-9-0
Canton (5-13) 010 010 0 — 2-9-4
Ty Morin, Andrew Bunger (6) and Chris Rossi; Jim Spirito, Cam Gaudet (4), Jake Bryant (5), Braedon Bean (7) and Johnny Cuscovich; WP: Morin; LP: Gaudet (0-5); 2B: Chad Lavelle (B), George Zaruba (B), Josue Lopez (B), Johnny Cuscovitch (C); REMARK: The game was played at Dunkin Park in Hartford