Late rally enables Wilton to eliminate Avon from Junior Legion tournament

Max Raha had a RBI single in a three-run sixth inning but Wilton eliminated the Avon Junior American Legion baseball team Thursday with a 7-3 victory.

WILTON, July 26 – Two Wilton pitchers limited the Avon Junior American Legion baseball team (ages 17 and under) to just four hits and the host Warriors scored six times in the sixth inning to eliminate Avon from the Junior Legion state tournament with a 7-3 victory Thursday at Wilton High.

Wilton (11-12) remains alive in Group G and faces Bethel (25-2) in an elimination game Friday on the road. Bethel lost for just the second time all season Thursday in a 3-1 loss to East Haven.

Avon (11-15) had a 3-1 lead after scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning on a throwing error and bases-loaded, RBI singles from Max Raha and Jackson Chard.

But Wilton rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning. Connor Burke led off with a double and Daniel Ielusic reached base when he was hit a pitch. Andrew Travers’ RBI single cut the Avon lead to 3-2.

A walk to Regan Kahal loaded to the bases before Wilton’s Shane McCaughey reached on an error, allowing the tying run to score, 3-3. Avon got their first out when Aidan Kyle hit the ball to Post 201 hurler Blaise Engle, who threw home for the out.

But Wilton got a two-RBI single from John Walsh and a pair of RBI singles from Burke and Ielusic to break open the game and grab a 7-3 lead.

Raha, Chard, Brayden Nemarich and Engle each had singles for Avon.

Wilton 7, Avon 3
At Wilton
Avon (11-15)                          000  003  0  — 3-4-1
Wilton (11-12)                       100  006  x  — 7-7-2
Milian Jain, Blaise Engle (6) and unknown; Dante Esposito, Patrick Cummings (6) and unknown; WP: Cummings; LP: Engle; 2B: Connor Burke (W)