Quick start boosts Bristol past Avon Legion, 5-2

Avon’s Max Raha had two hits in Sunday’s 5-2 Zone 1 loss to Bristol at Buckingham Field.

AVON, July 14 – The Bristol American Legion baseball team kept their hopes alive for a chance to claim the Zone 1 Northern Division championship with a 5-2 Zone 1 victory over Avon Sunday at Buckingham Field.

Bristol (18-7, 16-6 Zone 1 North) needs to win their final two games of the season against Avon on Monday and Tuesday and hope that Simsbury (17-7, 16-6 Zone 1 North) at least one of their final two games against Southington. Simsbury dropped a 2-1 decision to Southington on Sunday night.

Either way, Bristol and Simsbury have each qualified for the 2019 American Legion state tournament. Winning the zone title will give the zone champion home field advantage in first round of the tournament.

Bristol scored five runs in the first two innings to take command of the contest. Post 2 pitcher Jagger Duquette improved to 5-1 on the season with a complete game performance. He allowed eight hit and struck out nine to earn the victory.

Bristol took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Josh Nohilly and a two-run double from Evan Bouchard. In the second inning, Bristol scored on a double steal with Alec Dilofeto successfully stealing home and a RBI double from Mac Goulet.

Max Raha was 2-for-3 for Avon while Matt Leopold was 2-for-4. Jackson Chard had a double. Post 201 starting pitcher Billy Horrigan (1-1) went the distance, pitching all seven innings. He allowed eight hits and struck out one.

Avon travels to Muzzy Field on Monday to face Bristol with gametime beginning at 7:45 p.m. The three-game series concludes on Tuesday at Avon beginning at 5:30 p.m.

NOTES: Simsbury won the three-game season series with Bristol, 2-1, so Bristol would have to finish one game ahead of Simsbury to claim the Zone 1 North title.

Bristol 5, Avon 2
At Avon
Bristol (18-7)                      320  000  0  — 5-8-0
Avon (6-18)                        000  010  1  — 2-8-1
Jagger Duquette and Carson Sassu; Billy Horrigan and Emmett Borenstein; WP: Duquette (5-1); LP: Horrigan (1-1); 2B: Jackson Chard (A), Mac Goulet (B), Evan Bouchard (B), Alec Diloreto (B); 3B: none; HR: none

Zone 1 standings

y-clinched state tournament berth. Two division champions qualify along with three wild cards.
Sunday’s results
Bristol 5, Avon 2
Newington 1-1, Hartford 0-0 (forfeits)
Southington 2, Simsbury 1
Berlin at West Hartford