Wesneski leads Canton into state semifinals.
By: The Review | Towanda Daily Review | June 7, 2013
2013 NTL and District 4 News
With his bat and his arm Garrett Wesneski helped lead the Canton Warriors into the state semifinals on Thursday night.
Wesneski hit a home run and tossed a complete game in leading Canton past Calvary Christian 3-1 in the PIAA, Class A quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon.
"We played awesome today as a team," Wesneski said. "We hit the ball hard today. It's one of those days where everything we hit hard was right to them, but we found a way."
After Canton went down in order in the first inning Wesneski led off the second inning with a solo home run.
For Wesneski the home run was something special.
"I have never even hit a home run on the high school field yet," Wesneski said. "Today being my first one is pretty crazy. Dad (assistant coach Lyle Wesneski) always preaches never to try for one just to get a nice swing on it. I got a nice swing on it and right when I hit it I knew it was gone."
Kyle Landis followed with a walk and Josiah Bardo and Wes Moore singled, with Moore bringing home Landis.
The game remained 2-0 into the sixth inning when Wesneski led off with a single and after Landis sacrificed him over pinch runner Tim Bassett scored on a passed ball.
Calvary Christian got a run back in the sixth, but that would be as close as they would get as Wesneski wrapped up the complete game effort on the mound.
Once he had the lead Wesneski knew he wasn't going to let it go.
"I had a good flow today on the mound," he said. "Every inning felt great. Once I got that run I knew they weren't going to score many runs off me, then we got a couple insurance runs. Just giving up that run in the sixth, I felt fine, I didn't let that get to me at all in the seventh. We shut them down 1-2-3 in the seventh and that was a good way to end it."
Wesneski struck out eight in the game, walking none and allowing six hits to get the victory.
For Wesneski the key was the zero walks.
"I worked ahead with them," he said. "I started a few kids off with sliders and a few of them just with fastballs and they didn't catch up on them. I think I only had a three ball count on two hitters, maybe three, and I came back and got them. It was a big factor not letting guys get on by freebies."
At the plate Wesneski led the way with a pair of hits, including the home run.
Emmett Watson had a hit in the game and Bardo had two hits, while Moore added a hit for Canton.
Canton plays Old Forge, a 4-0 winner over Devon Prep, on Monday in the semifinals at a site and time to be determined.
For the Warriors the game Monday is something they are looking forward to.
"We are pumped, it's going to be fun," Wesneski said. "I think we play Old Forge and I'm guessing it will be close to home. I know a lot of past players, guys that I watched when I was a manager, who are going to be there. People we watched growing up will be supporting us. The community was there and they supported us today and even more will be there on Monday."
Suspended game
The Northeast Bradford softball team led 2-0 over Bristol in the third inning when the game was suspended due to rain. The game will be completed at a date and time to be determined.
