Benneche fans 11 as Simsbury rolls past Avon for first victory, 16-7

Simsbury starting pitcher Luke Benneche went five innings and struck out 11 to help the Trojans win their first game of the year. (Photo courtesy Scott Kerr)

AVON, April 3 – Pitcher Luke Benneche struck out 11 and gave up just four hits over five innings to help lead Simsbury to a 16-7 win over Avon at Buckingham Park as the Trojans (1-1) earned their first victory of the season.

Simsbury led 3-1 after four innings but scored five runs in the fifth inning and seven in the sixth inning to pull away. In the fifth, Cayden Thomas had a RBI single, Blake Chapman had a RBI triple, Ryan Laubsecher ripped a RBI single and Dylan Leonard had a two RBI double to center field to fuel a five-run surge by the Trojans.

Simsbury had 14 hits led by Laubsecher, who was 2-for-5 with three RBI, Leonard, who was 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI and Chapman, who was 2-for-4 with a double, triple, four runs scored and three stolen bases. Jack Donofrio also stole three bases as the Trojans swiped eight bases in the victory.

Avon (0-1) was playing in their season opening contest and had six errors to go along with their seven hits. Only seven of Simsbury’s 16 runs were earned.

Jake Coppen was 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI for the Falcons while Miles Borenstein had a double and drove in two runs. Avon also stole eight bases in the game, led by Max Raha with three and Coppen with two. Pitcher Blaise Engle struck out six in 3.2 innings of work and took the loss.

Avon returns to action on Friday when they host Glastonbury at 3:45 p.m. at Buckingham Park. Simsbury travels to Farmington on Friday to face the Indians at Tunxis Meade Park beginning at 3:45 p.m.

Simsbury 16, Avon 7
At Avon
Simsbury (1-1)            300  057  1  — 16-14-3
Avon (0-1)                   100  005  1  —    7-  7-6
Luke Benneche, Collin Crowe (6), Aidan Shugrue (6), Ryan Laubsecher (6) and Ryan Caufield; Blaise Engle, Ben Angus (4), Connor Galliher (6) and Matt Arciero; WP: Benneche (1-1); LP: Engle (0-1); 2B: Dylan Leonard (S) 2, Rory Walker (S), Miles Borenstein (A), Jake Coppen (A); 3B: Blake Chapman (S)