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Pair of unearned runs prove costly in Southington’s Zone 1 win over Avon

Avon American Legion baseball manager Donny Annicelle has a word with Ryan Ollestad before an at-bat.

AVON, July 3 – The Southington American Legion baseball team took advantage of a two-out error and a passed ball in the sixth inning to score a pair of unearned runs and beat Avon, 3-2 in Zone 1 play Monday night at Buckingham Field.

With the win, Southington (13-4) moves within one game of Avon in the race for the Zone 1 championship with seven games remaining. But Avon (14-3) actually has a two-game lead over Post 72 because Post 201 won the three-game season series between the two teams. If they finish tied for the zone title, Avon wins the pennant thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Avon led 2-1 going into the sixth inning. Southington’s Jake Babon (3-for-4, double) singled and moved to second base on a successful sacrifice from Bailey Robarge. Justin Maklin walked to put runners on first and second base when Kyle Semmel grounded out to second base.

Southington’s Jonathan Grey coaxed a walk from Avon reliever Brady Williamson to load the bases with two outs. Josh Panerella reached base on an error by third baseman Will Thramann as Babon scored to tie the game. Maklin scored on a passed ball to give Southington a 3-2 lead.

Avon got the tying run in position in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sean Del Gallo (4-for-4, 2B) singled with one out to center field. He moved to second base on a passed ball. But Southington hurler Nick Borkowski struck out Chris Jacobs and Justin Olson flew out to center field to end the game.

Avon threatened in the sixth, loading the bases but couldn’t score. Southington pitcher Connor McDonough struck out Adam Theriault to end the inning and the threat. McDonough earned the win, pitching six innings, allowing five hits and striking out four.

Avon took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Del Gallo doubled and scored later in the inning on a Olson RBI single. Avon extended the lead to 2-0 in the third inning with Joe Suski scoring on a steal of home.

Post 201 returns to action on Thursday when they travel to Torrington to face the P-38s at historic Fuessenich Park beginning at 7 p.m.

Southington 3, Avon 2
At Avon
Southington (13-4)                000  012  0  — 3-8-0
Avon (14-3)                           101  000  0  — 2-6-1
Connor McDonough, Nick Borkowski (7) and Josh Panarella; Connor Harris, Jake Coppen (3), Brady Williamson (6) and Ryan Ollstad, Jeremy Zarwanski (6); WP: McDonough; Save: Borkowski; LP: Williamson (1-1); 2B: Jake Babon (S), Sean Del Gallo (A), Joe Suski (A)

Since 2009, the Collinsville Press has been providing award-winning coverage of sports and news in the Farmington Valley and across Connecticut.

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