By JIM RUMBLE

Since returning from their spring training event in Florida a week earlier, the Avonworth softball team overcame some injuriesand opened section play with a win at home this past Tuesday.

Behind a one-hitter pitched by Julianne Hirsch and an offense that was led by catcher Marissa Milbert's four RBIs, the Lady ‘Lopes put away OLSH in five innings, blanking the Chargers 12-0.

Commenting on Hirsch's performance on the mound coach Chris Knox said, "I wasn't even sure she was going to play tonight. She had sun poisoning on her hands from Florida. It was a game time decision, she gutted it out and played really well."

Hirsch walked the first batter she faced, but forced a ground-out and followed with two strikeouts to end the top of the first inning.

The 'Lopes went right to work in their half of the inning with a walk to Molly Frew, a hit by Laura Presutti and Natalie Zivic reaching base on an error to load the bases .

Avonworth's first run came in on a wild pitch. Milbert, who pulled a hamstring on the Florida trip, brought in the rest in with a three-run homer to straight away centerfield, putting the 'Lopes in front 4-0.

"When you get Marissa off like that at the start in the first inning, that really helps," Knox said. "We're expecting big things from her this year and she delivered."

After setting the Chargers down in order in the top of the second, the Lady ‘Lopes added to their lead in their half of the inning. With Frew and Tracey Catanzarite reaching base, Zivic ripped a double into left center, putting the 'Lopes ahead 6-0.

Milbert, who was 3-for-3 from the plate, knocked a single to right, obtaining her fourth RBI and scoring Zivic. Avonworth led 7-0.

Kelsey Knox singled in the third, eventually ending up on third base before scoring on a wild pitch to put the 'Lopes up 8-0.

In the fourth inning, Milbert's hit and a bunt by AlisonChambers evolved into a situation with runners on second and third. Hirsch hit the ball to right field, scoring pinch runner Chloe Schmid and Chambers for a 10-0 lead.

Pinch runner Kiersten Erlanson scored on an error after Erin Zakor's base hit, and Catanzarite picked up an RBI to put the final at 12-0.

Speaking of what lies ahead this year, Knox stated,"I expect the section to be a lot better than last year. If we play like this, we'll be right in it."

On the Florida trip, the 'Lopes were 1-2, defeating St. Agnes and St. Stephens high school, from Virginia, 7-0, and losing 7-0 to Franklin Regional and 9-0 to South Florence High School from South Carolina.