By JIM RUMBLE

Having a tough time reaching any consistency on offense, the Avonworth baseball team found themselves on the short end of a 9-5 loss when they hosted Vincentian in their section opener last Thursday.

The Antelopes registered five hits, which made it difficult, especially after falling behind early in the game.

Pitcher Frank Restelli held the Royals in check through the first two innings, but had some control issues in the top of the third.

Vincentian took advantage of four walks that were issued, along with two base hits, to claim an early 4-0 lead.

Avonworth came to bat in the bottom of the third with lead-off hitter Brian Vales reaching second base as a result of a dropped fly ball by the Royals’ left fielder.

Coby Croft's base hit to left field put runners on first and third bases, and Jonathan Graham picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly ball to right field that had the Antelopes trailing 4-1 when the inning ended.

Vincentian responded in the top of the fourth with two hits and a throwing error by Avonworth that played a hand in the Royals extending their lead to 6-1.

Avonworth was able to make up for that inning when they produced two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Vales doubled to left-center to set up a two-run homer by Jake Winter that had the Antelopes behind 6-3.
Vincentian matched Avonworth's feat with a two-run homer of their own in the top of th
e fifth that sent Restelli to the dugout and Croft to the mound. Croft surrendered a run that put the Royals in front 9-3.

A walk issued to Winter in the bottom of the seventh, followed by Croft's double, had runners on second and third when Jack Rind's base hit to center field scored two runs, putting the final at 9-5.

Avonworth was able to rebound from their second loss of the season and pick up their first section victory at North Catholic this past Monday, 5-3, which gives them a 1-2 overall record.

Against the Trojans, Restelli recorded 11 strike-outs in seven innings while Rind came through with a two-run single that was key to the victory.

Avonworth was a very young team last season and is led by three seniors and 12 juniors, which prompted coach Phil Coffin to say, "We're one year older than we were last year," hoping that their experience will contribute to success this season.