The Foxboro Post 93 American Legion baseball team fell to Post 24 Canton Monday on what was a special night for longtime Canton general manager Bob "Brownie" Brown.
The longtime Legion baseball manager threw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game began as a way for Post 24 to pay tribute to his extended years of service.
“Brownie has been involved with Legion baseball for about 50 years, this may be his last so we wanted to make sure he got his due,” said Canton head coach Colin Claptin.
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Post 93 Foxboro got its only run off of Dave Roberto in the top half of the first inning as Vinny Monahan reached on an error and later scored on another error by the Canton defense. After a rough inning defensively for Post 24 they were able to turn a sharp 4-6-3 double play, stranding two runners and ending the early threat.
In the bottom of the first, Post 24 answered back scoring two runs off of the Foxboro starter Thomas Brady. Canton gathered three hits and a walk from Colin Clapton, Drew Blake, Brennan Sullivan and Matt Nichols. The scoring started when Blake’s single drove in Clapton. A throwing error by Foxboro allowed Blake to score, giving Canton their first lead 2-1. Another sharp double play ended the Canton's first inning rally.
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Canton pushed across one more in the fifth inning when Nathan Pedersen lead off the inning with a hit by pitch and later came around to score on an Andrew Vinciguerra sacrifice fly.
Sharon High product, Roberto pitched a complete game for Canton surrendering just one unearned run on five hits while striking out six, including striking out the side in order in the seventh inning.
“He pitched excellent, really well," said Claptin. "I was really eager to watch him throw. I had heard all good things and he delivered tonight for us.”
Brady pitched well for Foxboro surrendering three runs on nine hits while walking just two and striking out two. Robert Joyce came in to retire the final two outs of the sixth.
Offensively for Foxboro, Steven Fitzmaurice, Steven Nagle and Seth Khoury combined for four of the five hits on a day when hits came at a premium
“We've got to hit, he’s a good pitcher, but we have to do a better job hitting," said Foxboro head coach Bill Travers. "They swung the bat well. Our guys haven’t pitched in a few weeks so they haven’t been able to get in a rhythm."
With the win Canton improved to 2-0 while Foxboro falls to 1-1. Foxboro plays again tomorrow evening at home against Brookline. Canton is off until Thursday.