8.26.07

The offseason is officially underway, and what better way to kick it off than to have a party? Anyone affiliated with the Crew is invited to attend. The Party will be August 31th(Friday) at 8:00 PM. There is half a keg still remaining from the previous party, and its free for anyone who attends, but it is recommended you bring beer as well, the keg probably won't last long. If you need directions call Jason or send him a msg on AIM (BARON626).

7.31.07

The Canton Crews season came to a bitter end over the weekend, losing to the Streetsboro Slamsox 2-0. Ryan Petrich was again dominant, allowing 2 unearned runs on throwing errors to let the Slamsox squeek by. Dan Mitsgue of the Slamsox who earlier this season tossed a no-hitter against the Crew, was again masterful, allowing only two infield singles.

With the loss a tough season, filled with injuries and inconsistancies comes to a close. The Crew are hoping to move to the stiffer competition of Akron AA next season, but most of that hinges on the ability to fill key holes on the team. Not much has changed from the team of 2006 that went 18-8 except for the key injuries to Brett Smucker, Bobby Askew, Jason Bogavich, and Justin Moore. That coupled with the loss of 3 key offensive figures in 2006 strained everyone else to pick up the enormous slack left. Hopefully that slack can be loosened by adding a couple of bats to round out a pretty good lineup.

For the players not going off to play college on the Crew, offseason practices will probably start around October, keep in contact to find out when. Also keep looking at the message board for team activities, bar dates, and parties.Also keep checking the site for updates, career stats will be posted eventually along with player profiles and hopefully more.

Great Season to all of the Crew, and heres looking forward to a 2008 filled with a few more wins.

7.29.07

The only bright spot in the 5-2 playoff loss to the Stow Wild was the masterful performance that was wasted by left hander Jason Bogavich. In 9 innings pitched he threw 183 pitches, gave up 8 hits, walked 5 and struck out 13 to get the hard loss. He also had 3 of the 6 Crew hits, going 3-4 with a run scored. Scoring only one earned run in the first inning, an unearned run in the 4th, and 3 unearned runs in the 9th, Jason looked as strong on the mound in the 9th inning as the 2nd. Matt Kruger also put up a couple good at bats, going 1-2 with a double and an RBI. The only other hits for the Crew were provided by Rick Schroeter, Shane Burke, and an infield hit by Dan Scott.

Losing the first game of the double elimination bracket, the Crew now need to run the table in order to go to Cincinnati. They will play Tuesday at 6:15 and Erie Island versus the loser of the Kent Knights, Streetsboro SlamSox game. To Make matters worse the team will be without team leader and infielder Todd McCutcheon, who will be out of town in Florida due to work for the rest of the playoffs. If the Crew want to keep playing baseball this season, its time to start winning.

7.25.07

There wasn't much to cheer about in the Canton Crew's final regular season game, losing 10-4 to the Akron Dreams under the lights of Patterson. The two bright spots were the relief pitching of Matt Kruger who looked very sharp, and the hitting of Ryan Petrich, who went 2-3 with a double, triple and an RBI. Matt Kruger hit 3 balls about as hard as anyone can hit one and still make an out. The lackluster offense, which has plagued the Crew most of the year looked better, unfortunatley the defense did not. The Crew commited 8 errors allowing the Dreams to coast to an easy victory.

The Crew end up tied for 6th place with the Akron Dreams and AAA Irish with a 10-14 record. Using runs against those two teams as a tie breaker the Crew ended up with the 6 seed in the playoffs, leaving us to play the Stow Wild at Summit Lake at 10 AM. On the hill will be Jason Bogavich, who pitched very well versus the Wild earlier in the year, but is making only his second start in a month.

7.22.07

Battling the Brew Crew in the mid-day sun, the Canton Crew were able to come away with two hard fought victories to move past them in the standings. The first game brought the return of lefty Jason Bogavich in his first start since getting his hand broken. Sharp wasn't the word to use to describe the left handers performance, but he did come away with a 130 pitch no decision after a bottom of the 7th rally plated the tying run for the Brew Crew. The Crew responded quickly to the tying run scoring by Rick Schroeter singling up the middle and immediatly stealing second base. Dan White then shot a ball down the RF line for a double to plate Schroeter. Kris Immel picked up his second win in relief. Other first game standouts include Kris Immel 2 for 2 with 3 RBI and Matt Kruger 2-4 with 2 RBI.

The second game saw a dominant Jason Zook use only 79 pitched in 7 innings to earn his first win of the year. Giving up only 5 hits, striking out 5 and not walking anyone, Zook only had trouble in one inning which both runs he gave up were scored. Matt Kruger put the Crew on top for good with 4 RBI, giving him 6 on the day. Todd McCutcheon was also 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Rick Schroeter was also 2 for 4 with a stolen base.

7/.18.07

Ryan Petrich was almost unhittable tonight vs the NE Ohio Blaze, tossing a one hitter for his third shutout of the season, the second versus the Blaze. Only one runner reached past second and that wasn't until the 7th inning, and the only hit allowed was a soft bouncer that squeeked up the middle. Petrich only needed 97 pitches to dispose of the Blaze, walking 3 and striking out 9. Matt Kruger turned in another great game going 3 for 3 with a triple, Steve Roberts was 2 for 4 with two singles and Rick Schroeter was 1 for 3 with a double and two RBI.

7.15.07

Looking better, but still not where the team needs to be, the Crew dropped both ends of a double header today. Losing 3-2 in the first game, the team wasted a great performance by Jason Zook who gave up 3 runs, 2 earned in 7 innings, striking out 6. Dan White delivered an RBI single in his only at bat. Paul Clark clocked a triple over the Right Fielders head and scored for the second run. In the second game the Crew offense started to click, but was a shade behind the Knights, who won 7-5. Dan White was the victim of a key error to let 3 unearned runs score which proved to be the difference maker in the ballgame. On the offensive side a few key players have started to stroke the ball better, namely Matt Kruger who went 3 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI. Kris Immel also helped his team leading batting average by going 3 for 4 and scoring 3 runs. Steve Roberts and Shane Burke also added 2 singles a piece in the losing effort.

7.11.07

Key hitting and good pitching turned into a deliciously victorious recipe on Wednesday. The Crew only managed 5 hits, but just happened to get them in the right places to eek out a 2-1 victory against the Slamsox. Ryan Petrich delivered another dominant outing even though he struggled with his command. He left after the 7th with the game deadlocked at 1-1. Kris Immel came on in relief and did a fine job earning his first victory. In the bottom of the 8th with Dan White on first Rick Schroeter drove the ball off the wall for a ground rule double putting the winning run at third. Steve Roberts delivered the game winning single, shooting the ball up the alley for the first win by the Crew in a fairly long time. With the playoffs looming soon, the Crew is looking to get a stagnant offense firing on all cylinders like it can.

7.07.07

Again short handed and lacking any pitching depth, the Crew weren't much of a match for the league leading Firestone Park Rangers. The first game the only offense was provided by a Dan White RBI single. The second game was a bit closer until the 5th. After scoring 3 runs in the first inning, RHP Jason Zook settled down and pitched well keeping it a 3-2 margin. Run support was provided by an Adam Shultz RBI single and a Shane Burke Sac fly. In the 5th the Rangers pulled away, and eventually in the 6th took command leading to another route.

6.23.07

Short handed the Crew didn't put up much resistance against the Tallmadge Titans on saturday, losing the first of a double header 5-0 and the second 5-3. The only offense was provided by Rick Shroeter who hit a double with the bases loaded, clearing them. The losses themselves weren't the worst news. Jason Bogavich, one of the Crews most consistant starters in 2007 was hit by a pitch in the right hand, breaking it. This will sideline him until at least the playoffs and possibly beyond. This injury further stretches out a pitching staff already decimated with injuries.