Olson helps Avon Legion snap 2-game losing streak, beating Southington, 3-1

Will Boone (32) and pitcher Justin Olson (2) celebrate a successful inning in Thursday night’s 3-1 Zone 1 win over Southington at AOF.

AVON, June 25 – Two days after dropping a disappointing one-run decision to Unionville on Monday night, the Avon American Legion team battled toe-to-toe with defending Zone 1 champion Simsbury in another outstanding Zone 1 contest between the two teams.

Simsbury hurler Peter Myers struck out eight and allowed just one hit as Post 84 rallied to score twice with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun Avon, 2-1 on Wednesday night at Memorial Field. While it was a tough loss for Avon manager John Ponzani and Post 205 to swallow, Ponzani was pleased with the effort.

“When we lost to Unionville (4-3 in nine innings), we didn’t come to play,” he said. “I was really more focused on showing and playing a great game against Simsbury and we did that. It was frustrating to play that well for 20 outs and let it slip away.”

Avon continued to build on the momentum they established Wednesday. Post 205 snapped a two-game losing streak with a solid 3-1 Zone 1 victory over Southington Thursday night at Avon Old Farms. In six innings of work, Avon pitcher Justin Olson struck out four and scattered three hits. He was also 2-for-3 with a double for Post 205.

“I knew they would bring the effort today,” Ponzani said. “It was a good win to get back on track.” The win keeps Avon in the thick of the Zone 1 race. Simsbury leads the zone with a 7-2 record while Wolcott (8-3) and Avon (6-3) each have three losses. Avon travels to Wolcott on Friday evening to play a game that was rained out on Tuesday.

Avon took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Connor McCutcheon singled and moved to second on an error. He scored on Brady Williamson’s single up the middle

In the fifth inning, Avon extended its lead to 3-0. Williamson walked and moved to second on Olson’s single. Williamson moved to third on a fielder’s choice by Matthew Williamson. Brady Williamson scored on a RBI infield ground ball by Ben Suski. Matt Williamson scored on a RBI single from Jeremy Zarwanski for a 3-0 lead.

Avon second baseman Connor Dunn (1) takes the throw as Southington’s Mike Rogalski (12) goes to steal second base.

On Wednesday, Myers handcuffed Avon but Post 205 still had a chance to win. In the top of the sixth inning, Olson walked and scored on Suski’s one-out double to centerfield. It gave Avon a 1-0 lead and broke up the no-hit bid by Myers, one of five Canton players on Post 84.

Avon hurler Connor Dunn was also outstanding Wednesday. He allowed just five hits and struck out four. Trailing 1-0, Simsbury’s Ryan Gothers led off the bottom of the seventh with a single to left field. He moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Jack Lavigne. With two outs, Brendan Reilly coaxed a walk to put two men on.

Gothers scored from third on a wild pitch to tie the game at 1-1. Reilly stole second base and scored on a fielder’s choice to give Simsbury the win – its fifth straight over Avon, dating back to 2013.

Avon 3, Southington 1
At Avon
Southington (2-5)                  000  001  0  — 1-3-1
Avon (6-3)                             010  020  x  — 3-6-2

Simsbury 2, Avon 1
At Simsbury
Avon (5-3)                                000  001  0  — 1-1-1
Simsbury (6-2)                         000  000  2  — 2-5-1
Connor Dunn, Will Boone (7) and Jeremy Zarwanski; Pete Myers, Matthew Gill (7) and Ryan Gothers; WP: Myers; LP: Dunn; 2B: Ben Suski (A)