Hard-hitting Avon thumps Simsbury to capture District 6 Little League pennant

Avon’s Danny Galliher, center, celebrates with Masaya Yamada and catcher Emmett Bornstein after Avon won the District 6 championship Saturday in Torrington.

TORRINGTON, July 16 – Six days earlier, the Avon’s Major Division (ages 11-12) Little League baseball team fell to Simsbury in the District 6 tournament. Simsbury pitcher Dylan Scudder shut down Avon, which struggled at the plate.

It was much different in Saturday’s District 6 championship at the Oak Avenue Field. Avon swung the bat early and often, rapping out 12 hits and two home runs in a dominating 12-2 victory over Simsbury to win their second straight District 6 title and their eighth D6 pennant in the last 13 years.

“We told our hitters to come out very aggressive tonight and that is what we did,” Avon manager Steve Nyberg said. “(Sunday’s loss) was uncharacteristic. We took a lot of pitches and got behind (on the count).”

On Sunday, Avon left their bats on their shoulders often allowing Simsbury to build a five-run lead in a 5-2 victory.

In Saturday’s championship game, Avon had six runs and six hits after the first two innings – all off Scudder. “This team can hit and they love to hit,” Nyberg said. “They were overthinking. We told them to be aggressive early in the count and get it done.”

Avon pitcher Matt Leopold allowed just two hits in five innings, striking out six to earn the win.

Avon took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run home run from second baseman Dylan Love. They added a third run when Nick Amatulli singled, moved to third base on a single from Adam Santoro and scored on a throwing error.

Avon (7-2) extended its lead to 6-0 in the second inning. With one out, Yamada Masaya walked and moved to second on Tyler Nyberg’s single. Masaya scored on Matt Leopold’s RBI double. Nyberg and Leopold scored on a Emmett Bornstein’s two-RBI single.

Meanwhile, on the mound, Avon pitcher Matt Leopold held Simsbury to just two hits in five innings work, striking out six.

Simsbury (6-2) got on the scoreboard in the second inning. Simsbury’s Riley Carew tripled off the top of the outfield fence to lead off the second inning and scored on a passed ball to cut the lead to 6-1.

Simsbury shortstop Jackson Matyczyk throws to second base as Avon’s Tyler Nyberg approaches. Second baseman Riley Carew watches the play.

Avon extended its lead to 8-1 in the fourth inning on an error and a sacrifice fly from Colby Nemarich. Avon capped off the victory with a two-run home run from Yamada in the sixth inning.

It’s been a productive few days for Avon. The squad dispatched Canton, 14-4 in four innings on Thursday with 17 hits. They had 12 hits against Simsbury. It’s been four straight wins for Avon since losing to Simsbury on Sunday night.

“They were sick and tired of practice anyways. They would rather play than practice,” Nyberg cracked.

Avon first baseman Ben Hole begins to celebrate after a double play ended Saturday’s District 6 championship game in Torrington.

Tyler Nyberg, Bornstein and Yamada each had two hits for Avon. Bornstein, Yamada and Love each drove in two runs. Aidan Mahoney had a triple for Avon in the third inning. Catcher Jack Daily had the other hit for Simsbury — a single in the third inning.

Avon advances to the Section II state tournament, which begins Tuesday in Berlin. Avon will face Berlin (D5) and Prospect (D3). The winner advances to the double-elimination state finals in Manchester with the champions from Section I, III and IV.

Avon plays Prospect (5-1) at 5:45 p.m. at Petit Field on Tuesday and opposes host Berlin (8-0) on Thursday night at 5:45 p.m. The top two teams play in Friday’s Section II championship game at 5:45 p.m.

NOTES: Avon was playing in the D6 championship game for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons. Avon won the D6 title a year ago with a 14-2 win over Burlington. Simsbury was looking for their first D6 title since 2014.

Avon 12, Simsbury 2
At Torrington
Avon (7-2)                    330  222 – 12-12-1
Simsbury (6-2)             010  100 – 2-2-2
Matt Leopold, Danny Galliher (6) and Emmette Bornstein; Dylan Scudder, Chris Stamboulis (3), Ryan Laubsher (5) and Jack Daily; WP: Leopold; LP: Scudder; 2B: Leopold (A), Masaya Yamada (A); 3B: Riley Carew (S), Aidan Mahoney (A); HR: Dylan Love (A), Yamada (A)

Avon reliever Danny Galliher pitches in the sixth inning of Saturday’s District 6 championship at the Oak Avenue Field in Torrington.

Double-elimination portion of the District 6 tournament
Game 1: Simsbury 5, Avon 2
Game 2: Canton 18, Burlington 9
Monday, July 11
Game 3: Simsbury 6, Torrington 3
Game 4: Avon 6, Burlington 4, Burlington eliminated
Tuesday, July 12
Game 5: Simsbury 8, Canton 2
Game 6: Avon 6, Torrington 2, Torrington eliminated
Wednesday, July 13
Game 7: Avon 14, Canton 4 (4), Canton eliminated
Saturday, July 15
Game 8: Championship: Avon 12, Simsbury 2

Recent District 6 championship games
Major Division baseball (ages 11-12)
2016: Avon 12, Simsbury 2
2015: Avon 14, Burlington 2 (4)
2014: Simsbury 10, Burlington 1
2013: Burlington 8, Avon 6
2012: Avon 16, Burlington 2
2011: Avon 11, Torrington Americans 7
2010: Simsbury Americans 9, Avon 7
2009: Avon 12, Simsbury Americans 2
2008: Burlington 7, Avon 5
2007: Avon 8, Thomaston 0
2006: Simsbury Nationals 4, Avon 3
2005: Avon 15, Simsbury Nationals 5 (4)
2004: Avon 8, Simsbury Nationals 2
2003: Simsbury Americans 12, Simsbury Nationals 2 (5)
2002: Simsbury Americans 1, Avon 0
2001: Burlington 8, Torrington Nationals 4
2000: Terryville 6, Torrington Nationals 1
1999: Tri-Town (Litchfield) 7, Granby 6