Avon’s Fallyn Banks (9) celebrates with Lena Stortz (24) and teammates after Stortz’s three-run home run in Friday night’s win over Farmington at Sperry Park. (More photos from the game)
AVON, May 22, 2026 – The Avon High softball team didn’t get rattled when visiting Farmington grabbed early three-run leads in Friday night’s regular season finale for both teams at Sperry Park.
The Falcons didn’t wilt when the River Hawks scored four runs with a two-out rally in the top of the fifth inning to cut their lead to two runs.
Avon just kept swinging the bat. The Falcons rapped out 15 hits, including eight extra-base hits as Avon beat Farmington, 23-11 in five innings at Sperry Park to win their first divisional championship since 1979.
The win gives Avon (18-1, 7-1 CCC Central) their first divisional softball championship since joining the league in 2016. Bristol Central, Bristol Eastern and Lewis Mills were each 6-2 in the CCC Central and finished second.
Avon’s last league championship came 47 years ago in 1979 when the Falcons won the Northwest Conference Division II pennant against Lewis Mills, Canton, Gilbert-Winsted, Housatonic Valley in Falls Village and Wolcott Tech out of Torrington.
The win also clinches the No. 3 seed in next week’s Central Connecticut Conference tournament that begins on Tuesday. Avon will host Bristol Central in quarterfinal contest at Sperry Park.
It’s a far cry from 2023 when the Falcons didn’t win a single game, going 0-18.
“It definitely gave me a lot of humility, but I think it just pushed us to get better said senior Eve Beloin, who had a RBI triple in the second inning.
The Falcons have also benefited from a talented group of freshman players. “We have seven freshmen. They all play and they are good players,” Beloin said.
Avon started three freshmen against Farmington and four sophomores. Freshman pitcher Lena Stortz came on in relief to shut down the River Hawks attack and earn her third save of the season. She also hit her first high school home run in the fifth inning – part of 10-run explosion by Avon to put the game away for good.
“it’s a long way from a winless season just three years ago but all of the credit goes to the kids,” Avon’s fifth-year head coach Michael Mihalik said. “We work ‘em hard. They buy into our system and philosophy and they go out there on the field and do it.
“They’re all having fun,” he said. “They like each other and have good chemistry. It’s just a great year.”
Mihalik was unaware of Avon’s opportunity to clinch the CCC Central division title until he was told about it after the game. He said his players didn’t know about it either.
“It’s been a long time,” he said. “I am really proud of them. Hopefully, they have more wins coming over the rest of the season.”
The Falcons got off to an 11-0 start this season – the best in program history. Their 18 victories already have broken program records for most wins in a season. The Falcons had 16 wins in 1976 and 1978. The 18-1 record is the best single season record in school history, breaking the mark of 15-1 set in 1978.
Farmington (11-9, 2-6 CCC Central) grabbed an early 3-0 lead thanks to a RBI single from pitcher Addison Mihalek, Olivia Horan and an error. Avon responded quickly with two runs but Farmington added another unearned run in the second inning to take a 4-2 lead.
Avon added four runs in the second inning, six runs in the third inning and closed out the game with 10 runs in the fifth inning.
Avon’s Meredith Parker (12) leaps to her feet after scoring a run in Friday night’s win over Farmington as the throw gets away from catcher Laila Quesada (2). (More photos from the game)
Fifteen hits for the Falcons was their fourth highest total of the season.
Sophomore Brianna Connellan was 3-for-3 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI while freshman shortstop Fallyn Banks went 3-for-5 with four RBI. Junior Madison Jette was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, triple and four RBI. Catcher Anna Kelley had a two-run double in the third inning and scored three runs.
“We hit every day in practice,” coach Michael Mihalik said. “Our philosophy is that if we want to be good at hitting, we have to work hard at it every day. Our philosophy is we’re on offense, you are up there to swing. You’re not there to put the ball in play. You are there to hit the ball hard. And they do it.”
After three innings, Avon built a 12-4 lead but Farmington rallied with three runs in the fourth inning and another four runs with two outs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the Falcon lead to 13-11.
Elizabeth Clark had a two-run single for Farmington in the fourth while Makayla McLaurin had a double. Consecutive RBI doubles in the fifth inning from Alexia Juliano, Addison Mihalek and Charlotte Kaminski helped the River Hawks close the gap.
Avon’s Fallyn Banks (9) stole three bases in Friday night’s CCC contest with Farmington at Sperry Park. As a team, Avon stole eight bases. (More photos from the game)
But Stortz came on relief of starter Jessica Mizia (10-0) with three consecutive strikeouts to end the inning and the rally.
Avon’s 10 runs in the fifth ended the game. Zoey Seay had a two-run single, Stortz had a three-run home run while Jette had a three-run triple
“We came up big from the get go, clutch hitting, into the gaps line drives and driving in runs,” Beloin said. “We’re always ready to hit the first pitch. It is that offensive mentality.” The River Hawks had 13 hits, including six extra base hits.
Farmington was led by Addison Mihalek, who was 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored, 3 RBI, two doubles while Elizabeth Clark was 3-for-4, 2 RBI. Julian was for 2-4 with 2 RBI and a double.
Avon’s six-game winning streak over Farmington is their longest of this century. Avon beat Farmington in April, 20-4 in five innings.
Avon 23, Farmington 11
At Avon
Farmington (11-9) 310 3 4 — 11-13-4
Avon (18-1) 246 1(10) – 23-15-4
Addison Mihalek, Makayla McLaurin (5) and Laila Quesada; Jessica Mizia, Lena Stortz (4) and Anna Kelley; WP: Mizia (10-0), LP: Mihalek; Save: Stortz (3); 2B: Brianna Connellan (A) 2, Kelley (A), Madison Jette (A), Alexia Juliano (F), Mihalek (F) 2, Charlotte Kaminski (F), Makayla McLaurin (F), Stephanie Kulesza (F); 3B: Connellan (A), Eve Beloin (A), Jette (A); HR: Stortz (1); Of note: Mihalek (F) 3-4, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI, two doubles; Clark (F) 3-4, 2 RBI; Julian (F) 2-4, 2 RBI, double; Connellan (A) 3-3, two doubles, triple and 3 RBI; Fallyn Banks (A) 3-5, 4 RBI, 4 runs scored; Madison Jette 2-4, 2 runs scored, 4 RBI, double, triple; With the win, Avon clinches the CCC Central Division championship.
The sun sets at Sperry Park on Friday night during Avon and Farmington’s CCC softball game. (More photos from the game)
