Avon High softball team beats Windsor Locks for first win of season

Senior pitcher Jackie Pengel struck out 16 and tossed a one-hitter in Friday’s 8-1 win over Windsor Locks at Fisher Meadows.

AVON, April 15, 2022 – Seniors Jackie Pengel and Amanda Hasler each hit home runs to lead the Avon High softball team to their first win of the season Friday in an 8-1 decision over Windsor Locks in a non-conference contest at Fisher Meadows.

Pengel hit a grand slam in the first inning to give the Falcons an early 4-0 lead. Hasler hit her first home run of the season in the fifth inning, a two-run slam. The two seniors had three of Avon’s five hits and drove in six of the eight runs.

Pengel got the job done on the mound. She allowed just one hit and struck out 16 batters. The only hit was a seventh inning single from Locks’ Ann Jones, who singled to center field and scored on a three-base error. Hasler plays catcher for Avon.

“We have a very young team,” first-year Avon High coach Mike Mihalek said. “We do have some inexperience. Our goal is to get better every game and every week. Jackie and Amanda are a formidable battery. I think they might be the best pitcher/catcher combination in the state. That gives us a great nucleus to build around.”

As freshman in 2019, Pengel and Hasler helped lift Avon into the state tournament for the first time since 2001. Pengel went 12-7 on the mound and hit five home runs while Hasler belted 11 homers. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic and the two stars didn’t play last year.

“We’re trying to build some excitement (about softball) in town,” Mihalek said. “This is a great opportunity to do that.”

A week ago, the Falcons dropped their season-opening contest in a 1-0 loss to Glastonbury, despite outhitting the Guardians, 6-2.

Avon’s Liz Jerger slides safely into second base, which flies up into the air during Friday’s game against Windsor Locks at Fisher Meadows.

Avon (1-1) got the job done against the visiting Raiders. In the first inning, shortstop Liz Jerger led off the game with a walk and Kayla Jette reached on an error. Hasler loaded the bases by coaxing a walk to set up Pengel, who blasted a deep grand slam for a 4-0 lead.

The Falcons added another two runs in the third inning fora 6-0 lead thanks to a double from Jette and a single from Hauser.

Jerger led off the fifth inning with a walk and scored on Hasler’s one-out home run to centerfield for an 8-0 advantage.

Hasler was 2-for-2 with a home run, double and two RBI. After hitting her grand slam, Pengel was intentionally walked for the remainder of the game. Jerger also doubled in the game. It was the sixth career one-hit performance for Pengel.

Avon returns to action on Monday when they visit Middletown in a CCC contest.

Avon 8, Windsor Locks 1
At Avon
Windsor Locks (1-3)               000  000  1  — 1-1-1
Avon (1-1)                                402  020  x  — 8-5-3
R. Homan and A. Burns; Jackie Pengel and Amanda Hasler; WP: Pengel (1-1); LP: Homan; 2B: Hasler (A), Liz Jenger (A), Kayla Jette (A); HR: Hasler (A), Pengel (A), grand slam

Glastonbury 1, Avon 0
At Glastonbury
Avon (0-1)                                000  000  0  — 0-6-2
Glastonbury                            010  000  x  — 1-2-1
Jackie Pengel and Amanda Hasler; B. Tracey and S. Scarto; WP: Tracey; LP: Pengel (0-1); 2B: Hasler (A) 2, Pengel (A) , Kayla Jette (A)