Solid pitching, grand slam help Avon Legion take two from Southington

Avon’s Justin Olson had three hits including a grand slam in Avon’s doubleheader sweep of Southington on Sunday.

SOUTHINGTON, June 11 – Kyle Emery allowed just three hits over six innings and struck out six to lead the Avon American Legion baseball team to a 2-0 win over Southington Sunday and a two-game sweep of Post 72 at Fontana Field.

In the opener, Avon had just six hits but one was a grand slam from Justin Olson as Post 201 prevailed with a 10-3 decision. Avon has opened the defense of their Zone 1 championship with a quick 4-0 start.

In game two, Avon took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Olson singled, stole second and moved to third on a ground ball out by Andrew Leduc. He scored on a RBI single from Adam Theriault to center field.

Post 201 extended their lead in the sixth.  Olsen led off with a single, moved to second base on a passed ball and moved to third base on a ground ball out by Jeremy Zarwanski. Again, Olsen scored on a RBI single to center field from Theriault.

Southington had runners on first and third base with no outs in the fifth inning but Emery got a strikeout and two infield ground ball outs to get out of the jam. In the sixth, Southington again had runners on second and third base with no outs but Williamson, in relief, got three straight fly ball outs to get out of the jam.

Olsen and Theriault were each 2-for-2 in the nightcap.

In the opener, Avon broke a 1-1 tie and took a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning thanks to a pair of walks, an error and RBI singles from Will Thramann and Joe Suski. In the fifth inning, Olsen broke it open with a grand slam home run over the right field fence. It was his first home run of the American Legion campaign.

In the doubleheader, Olsen was 3-for-6 with four RBI and three runs scored

In game one, Thramann was 2-for-3 with two RBI while Williamson was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Post 201 also took advantage of eight walks from the Southington pitching staff.

On the mound, Connor Harris earned his second straight decision, going six innings on the mound. He struck out four and scattered seven hits.

Avon (4-0, 4-0 Zone 1) returns to action on Tuesday night when they host Terryville at Buckingham Field.

Avon 2, Southington 0
At Southington
Avon (4-0)                       000  101  0 – 2-7-1
Southington (1-3)            000  000  0 – 0-3-2
Kyle Emery, Brady Williamson (6) and Jeremy Zarwanski; McDonough, Weed (6) and Sciota, Panerella (3); WP: Emery(2-0), LP: McDonough; Save: Williamson (1); 2B: none; 3B: none; HR: none

Avon 10, Southington 3
At Southington
Avon (3-0)                       010  360  0  — 10-6-1
Southington (1-2)            010  000  2  –3-7-2
Connor Harris, Sean Del Gallo (7) and Ryan Ollstad; Sheehan, Vitarelli (4), Weed (5), Virelli (5) and Panerella; WP: Harris (2-0), LP: Sheehan; HR: Justin Olson