Farmington rallies to pin another one-run defeat upon Avon baseball team

FARMINGTON, May 23 – The Farmington High baseball team’s hopes for play in the Class LL tournament remain alive. The Indians scored with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to hand Avon their fifth straight loss, 5-4 in CCC Central White division action at Tunxis Meade Park Monday night.

Farmington (7-12, 3-4 CCC Central White) can qualify for the Class LL tournament with a win on Tuesday against division champion Northwest Catholic (14-5, 7-0 CCC Central White). Avon, meanwhile, concludes the regular season on a down note. The Falcons (10-10, 3-5 CCC Central White) have lost five in a row and seven of the last eight contests.

Four of those losses have been one-run defeats.

Avon rallied to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, Sean Del Gallo reached on an error and moved to second base on a single by catcher Jeremy Zarwanski. Andrew LeDuc belted a two-RBI triple to right field tie the game at 4-4. The rally died with a strikeout. Seven Avon batters fanned on Monday night.

Farmington didn’t flinch in the bottom of the seventh. Danny Lester led off with a single to center field and moved to second on a successful sacrifice by Derek Duffy. After a strikeout for the second out of the inning, Joe Nadal’s RBI single to right field won the game for the Indians.

Farmington led 3-0 after four innings. Avon cut the lead to two in the top of the sixth inning. Avon loaded the bases with one out thanks to a single from Del Gallo, a walk, error and a fielder’s choice. Will Boone drew a bases loaded walk to cut the lead to 3-1. Kyle Emergy’s RBI single to center field cut the lead to 3-2.

Del Gallo was 2-for-4 in the game while Emery was 2-for-3. Emery took the loss on the mound. Farmington pitcher Derek Duffy went the distance, scattering eight hits and striking out six. Alex Sonalski was 3-for-3 for the Indians while Brandon Loehe was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Avon’s regular season is complete. Their next game will be in the Class L tournament that could begin Saturday with preliminary round action or on May 31 with first round play.

Farmington 5, Avon 4
At Farmington
Avon (10-10)                    000  002  2 – 4-8-1
Farmington (7-12)          001  201  1 – 5-10-2
Justin Olson, Kyle Emery and Jeremy Zarwanski; Derek Duffy and unknown; WP: Duffy; LP: Emery; 3B: Andrew LeDuc