Slumping Avon loses for 5th time in last 8 games

FARMINGTON, July 13 – The scoring slump continues for the Avon American Legion baseball team. Post 201 has scored just four runs in the past three games and they’ve lost two, including a 3-0 decision to Unionville Friday night at Tunxis Meade in Farmington. It was Avon’s fifth defeat in the last eight games.

The loss drops Avon into a second place tie with Bristol at 18-7 in Zone 1 with two games remaining. Avon does own the tiebreaker over Bristol since they swept the three-game season series from Post 2. The second place team in a Zone will have to win just one playoff game to reach the double-elimination round of 16 teams in the state tournament. Teams that finish third or lower may have to play up to three games to qualify.

Southington remains in first place with a 19-6 record and on track to win its first Zone 1 championship since 1998. Southington owns the tiebreaker over Avon by winning two of three games this season. However, Bristol owns the tiebreaker over Southington if they finish tied for the title because they won two of three games from Post 72.

Avon (18-8, 18-7 zone) completes its Zone 1 season by hosting Simsbury (15-10) on Tuesday night at Avon Old Farms and Terryville (3-22) on Wednesday night at AOF. Both games begin at 5:30 p.m.

Against Unionville (16-9), Avon had its chances. Avon loaded the bases in the fifth inning but couldn’t score. In the sixth, Avon had runners on first and second base but the rally was snuffed out. For Avon, pitchers Matt Koenig and Liam O’Connor gave up seven hits and struck out five.