Winning streak continues for red-hot Canton A’s

Riding a seven-game winning streak, the Canton A’s have vaulted into the thick of the Cranberry League playoff chase with just a few games remaining in the regular season.

Heading into Monday’s game against first-place Braintree, the A’s were clinging to the fifth and final playoff spot with a record of 10-9; however, they will have to do their best to fend off sixth-place Brockton, which sat just two games back at 8-11.

Newcomer Mark Cunningham of Canton has been a key to the recent streak with several successful games at closer. Veteran Steve Delanian earned Cranberry League Player of the Week honors with his hot hitting, while Brian Williams and Joe Belmosto have also chipped in with key hits.

Last week, the A’s won all three of their games, including a 6-5 comeback win over Acushnet and a doubleheader sweep over Whitman.

In the Acushnet game on Wednesday, Canton fought back from a 5-1 deficit to tie the score at 5-5 with RBI hits by Nick Radcliffe, Delanian, and Belmosto. The A’s then won the game in the seventh on a pair of doubles by Cory Albanese and Radcliffe. Cunningham was also instrumental in the win, striking out five batters over two innings of relief.

Later in the week against Whitman, the A’s took both games of a doubleheader, winning 11-1 and 10-6.

In the first game, pitcher Zack Walker allowed just three hits while striking out four batters over five innings of work. Belmosto went 2 for 4 with a double and a three-run homerun — the first of his Cranberry League career. Williams had three hits, including a single, double, and triple, and Delanian added a double and an RBI.

In the second game, pitcher Mike Baryski was given a 7-2 lead but tired in the fifth inning as Whitman scored four runs to cut the deficit to one. The A’s then turned to Cunningham, who shut down the Nationals’ bats over the final two innings, giving up only one hit while striking out two batters.

Delanian, Belmosto, and Travis Ritchie each had three hits and two RBIs to lead the offense, while Williams finished with two hits and two RBIs. Outfielder Anthony Perriello added a single and also made a big play defensively, gunning down a Whitman runner in the seventh who was attempting to stretch a single into a double.

In other team news, Delanian, Belmosto and pitcher Jared Clement were named to the Cranberry League all-star team, which will play the InterCity League all stars at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at Brockton’s Campanelli Stadium. Clement will not play as he has decided to leave the A’s to join the Brockton Rox of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. A’s head coach Kee Arguimbau was named one of the assistant coaches on the all-star team.

The team also presented a plaque during Sunday’s doubleheader to Reggie Spintig of Canton for her family’s financial support and in memory of her husband, Fred, who died earlier this year. In addition, A’s General Manager Cab Devoll of Canton, who may retire after this season, was honored for his 20 years of service as head coach and GM.

This week, Canton was due to travel to Braintree on Monday and Easton on Tuesday. The A’s will then play Rockland today at either Sharon High or Rockland and will wrap up the regular season with a pair of makeup games next week (dates and times to be determined).

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Jul 12 2014. Filed under Beyond CHS, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.