Avon can’t convert in back-to-back defeats

Avon catcher Jeremy Zarwanski had two hits in Wednesday’s loss to Northwest Catholic.

AVON, May 19 – In the two days, the Avon High baseball team has stranded 23 runners on base. That’s a big reason why the Falcons have dropped two consecutive ballgames.

On Wednesday, Avon stranded 14 runners in an 8-2 Central Connecticut Conference White Division loss to Northwest Catholic, leaving the bases loaded in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. On Thursday, the Falcons (10-8) left nine runners on base in a 5-3 loss to Hall-West Hartford in the final regular season game of the season at Buckingham Field.

Against Hall (9-7), Avon starter Will Boone allowed five hits and walked four. Only one of Hall’s five runs was earned. Ian McDonald was 2-for-4 with a two-run double in the second inning while Kyle Emery was 2-for-3.

Avon had plenty of chances to score against Northwest Catholic. The Falcons had the bases loaded in the third, fourth and fifth inning. But each time, the Lions were able to get out of the inning. In the third inning, it was a strikeout. In the fourth, it was a fly ball into the outfield and in the sixth, it was a ground ball back to the pitcher.

Jeremy Zarwanski and Sean Del Gallo were each 2-for-4 for the Falcons while Brendan Dyer was 2-for-2 at the plate. On the mound, Avon pitcher Justin Olson (4-1) lost his first game of the year. In just 3 1/3 innings, Olson allowed eight hits and walked seven.

Avon returns to the field on Friday when they take on South Windsor at Rotary Field at 3:45 p.m. The Falcons close out the regular season at Farmington on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Tunxis Meade Park. Avon has lost four of its last five games with the only win in this span being a 6-4 win over Hall on Saturday.

Hall 5, Avon 3
At Avon
Hall (9-7)                     030  101  0 – 5-5-1
Avon (10-8)                 020  001  0 – 3-8-2
Will Boone and Jeremy Zarwanski; Derek Berube and unknown; WP: Berube; LP: Boone (1-1); 2B: Ian McDonald (A); HR: Michaels (H)

Northwest Catholic 8, Avon 2
At Avon
NW Catholic (13-4)     120  500  0 – 8-10-3
Avon (10-7)                 200  000  0 – 2-8-3
Justin Gallicchio, Drew Hungerford (6) and unknown; Justin Olson, Brendan Dyer (4) and Jeremy Zarwanski; WP: Gallicchio; LP: Olson (4-1); 2B: Gallicchio (N), Tyler Rice (N), Luke Fox (N); HR: Gallicchio (N)