Canton rolls into state quarters.
By: Chris Manning | Towanda Daily Review | June 3, 2014 | Photo courtesy Chris Manning
2014 NTL and District 4 News
WRIGHT TOWNSHIP - From the first inning Canton showed their championship mentality.
They jumped out to an early lead and never let up, beating MMI Prep 11-1 in six innings to advance to the quarterfinals in the PIAA, Class A baseball tournament Monday.
"It's awesome," said coach Bob Rockwell about the win. "It's a start in the playoffs for us. It's just one game out of the way."
Trevor Route led the offensive attack, going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and 2-RBI while Kyle Landis and Tyler Cole both went 2-for-3. Landis had a double with three runs while Cole scored twice with 3-RBI.
"I wasn't getting all of the ball but they were just going in the right places," remarked Trevor Route. "The first one I hit off the handle, the second one I took a half cut. I felt pretty good, I'll take it."
Chase Pepper had a double with two runs scored while Garrett Wesneski, Connor Route and Travis Butcher had one hit, one run scored and one RBI.
Tanner Machmer added a hit with 2-RBI.
Canton was happy to see their bats working for them.
"Towards the end of the year we weren't hitting that great," said Trevor Route. "But once we got to districts we stepped it up. We've been hitting really good, it feels great to put those numbers up, especially in the first state game. It's a great start for us, especially hitting wise."
On the mound Wesneski, John Bowman and Pepper combined for a 1-hitter.
Wesneski started and went the first three innings for the win. He struck out five while allowing one hit, four walks and one earned run.
"I struggled a little bit with my control," said Wesneski. "I guess I figured I would."
The senior didn't pitch much this year until the end of the season due to an injury so it was a good chance for him to find his stuff.
"I need to focus on trying to keep my head a little better," explained Wesneski. "I'm trying to come back."
Bowman went the next two innings with five strikeouts and one walk.
Pepper pitched the sixth, striking out three with one walk.
"They've helped out all year," Wesneski said about his fellow pitchers. "I haven't pitched much this year and Chase and John have picked it up a lot. It's awesome."
Pepper led off the game with a double then was hit in by Trevor Route's double. Back to back walks to Wesneski and Landis loaded the bases for Connor Route, who brought in Trevor on a ground out.
Cole then brought in Jarin Segur, running for Wesneski, and Landis with a single to put Canton up 4-0 after the first.
Then in the top of the second Pepper drew a walk, followed by Trevor Route singling. Wesneski then drove in Pepper to make it 5-0.
MMI Prep would score in the bottom of the third to cut it to 5-1.
Then in the top of the fifth Landis and Connor Route led off with back to back singles followed by Cole walking.
Machmer's single brought in Landis and Connor Route to put the Warriors up 7-1. Butcher's single brought in Cole followed by a Trevor Route single scoring Butcher to make it 9-1.
Canton would get the final two runs for the mercy rule win in the sixth as Landis led off with a double, followed by Cole knocking him in two batters later.
Cole then scored on an error off the bat of Jordan Bentley to make it 11-1.
"Hopefully we can keep scoring runs like that," said Wesneski. "That's all that matters."
The Warriors will take on Devon Prep, 8-5 winners over York Catholic on Thursday at a site to be determined.
"It will be the same game plan," explained Wesneski. "Just one game at a time. We'll focus on the winner and play just one game at a time. Keep playing solid defense, pitch well and keep hitting the ball."
Rockwell believes that if they can get 12 hits on Thursday it will be another successful outing.
"If we can hit like that we're in business," he said.
