Canton earns season-opening split after stunning game 1 setback
Senior Adam Laski allowed just two hits in five innings in Canton’s season opener Monday against Howell.
What happened to Canton’s baseball team in the first game of its April 1st double-header with Howell was more cruel than the worst April Fool’s Day joke ever pulled off.
Leading 5-0 after five innings — and showing no signs of taking its foot off the opening-day gas pedal — the Chiefs yielded six six-inning runs to visiting Howell before ultimately dropping a 6-5 decision in the KLAA West Division opener for both teams.
Canton shook off the setback in short order when it won the nightcap, 1-0, in a game shortened to five innings due to darkness.
“In all the years I’ve been coaching, I don’t think I’ve had a team lose a lead like that late in the game,” said Canton Head Coach Mark Blomshield. “On the bright side, we held a very good team like Howell — which beat us twice last year — scoreless in all but one of 12 innings. Unfortunately, that one inning was rough.”
The Chiefs received stellar mound efforts by game 1 starter Adam Laski, who allowed the first two Highlanders he faced to reach base on singles (the first an infield hit), but blanked them the remainder of his five-inning stint; and game 2 starter Nick Demianenko, who struck out eight Highlanders in his four-inning gem. Owen Weber earned the save with a scoreless fifth in the second game.
Starters pitched great
“Coming into this season, pitching is probably our biggest question mark because we really haven’t had a lot of time to see the kids throw,” Blomshield said. “And the team as a whole hasn’t been able to gel because last week was Spring Break and we were missing a few players.
“No excuses, though. When you lead 5-0 in the sixth, you should be able to put the other team away.
“Adam and Nick both pitched great. We started Adam in the first game partly because he pitched really well in our 3-2 loss to them. He’s our only senior pitcher. He has good command.”
Canton set the tone in the bottom of the first in the opener, plating four runs — two on an opposite field single by sophomore catcher Cole Balog.
“Cole had a nice day,” Blomshield said. “He did a nice job behind the plate and he swung the bat well.”
English delivers
Brodi English delivered an RBI single in the first-inning uprising, bringing home Cam Krafft, who reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
The Chiefs stretched their lead to 5-0 in the third when designated hitter Caleb Williams singled home Marcus Vince, who had reached on a single. Williams stole second with one out, but was stranded.
Canton mounted a mini-threat in the fourth when Aaron Basel led off with a walk and swiped second, but Howell escaped the inning unblemished thanks to a strikeout and two infield pop-outs.
The Chiefs’ lone run in the second game scored on a passed ball.
The two teams were scheduled to play single games Monday and Wednesday, with Wednesday’s game set for Howell. However, considering Wednesday’s wet forecast, Howell first-year Head Coach Matt Hunt suggested the teams play two on Monday at Canton — an idea Blomshield embraced.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
