By Jim RUMBLE

Struggling to find some consistency from the plate this past Monday, the Avonworth baseball team lost their section opener at home to Sewickley Academy 6-3.

Although the team was limited to four hits, Antelope starting pitcher Frank Restelli did a good job through the first five innings, giving up five hits while recording seven strike-outs to keep the contest close until late in the game.

"You can't win a baseball game if you can't swing a baseball bat," said coach Phil Coffin after the game.

Sewickley Academy took advantage of a couple of mistakes to take the lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first.

The Panthers had runners on first and third when Restelli was called for a balk by the umpire, allowing the runner to score from third base.

After advancing the other runner to second and then to third as a result of a wild pitch, Sewickley Academy scored on a fielding error to lead 2-0.

Avonworth had their chances in their half of the first inning, but could manage only one run.

A walk to Jon Graham and a hit to left field by Bryan Bartram preceded Tyler Noethiger reaching base on an error to load the bases. Jim Zubik drew a walk that put the score at 2-1 Sewickley Academy.

The score remained that way until the Antelopes tied the ball game in the bottom of the sixth.

Zubik doubled into the gap in left center, and scored on a short fly ball that dropped in for a hit down the left field line by Jake Winter to put the score at 2-2.

Sewckley Academy was able to reclaim the lead in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of Noethiger, who had replaced Restelli on the mound in the sixth inning.

The Panthers registered five hits and a walk while scoring four runs on their way to a 6-2 lead.

A walk to Brian Vales and a hit by Coby Croft put runners at second and third when Clayton Cuteri hit a sacrifice fly ball to score Vales and put the final score at 6-3.

Coming up big defensively in the game were Avonworth catcher Bartram and third baseman Tom Turnbull, who completed outs in the second and seventh innings as Sewickley Academy runners tried to steal third base.

The Antelopes were 1-4 a week earlier on their trip to Florida. They won 19-4 against Somerset Christian Academy, but lost 17-6 to Northridge Prep, 12-6 against Bethlehem H.S., 6-4 against Fort Lee H.S. and 14-4 against Bergen Catholic.

Avonworth picked up their first win in section play on Wednesday, April 14, with a 6-5 win at Quigley.