By JIM RUMBLE

After a week of game postponements, the Avonworth softball team finally resumed play when they hosted Carlynton in their first section game on Monday, April 11.

The Lady 'Lopes seemed to be unaffected by the time off, as they defeated the Cougars in five innings 14-1.

"It's good to get your first section game in," said coach Chris Knox after the game.

Making reference to the lay-off and how to deal with it Knox said, "It's difficult. You can't get the kids outside to use their eyes and adjusting to the light out here versus the gym, that's always a big adjustment."

Pitcher Stephanie Klesic, who earned the win while pitching a two-hitter, got out of a jam in the first inning after walking the first batter and hitting the second to place runners on first and second base.

The next Carlynton batter grounded to Erin Zakor at third, who stepped on the bag for the force-out before completing the double play with a throw to Kelsey Knox at first base.

Klesic forced a pop up that she caught to get out of the inning unscathed.

Avonworth went right to work, picking up five runs in their half of the inning.

Alison Chambers led of with a walk, and then stole second base to set the table for Julianne Hirsch.

Hirsch hit an RBI single to right field to put the 'Lopes on the board, and Natalie Zivic followed with a two-run homer to left-center to give Avonworth a 3-0 lead.

Marissa Milbert, Knox and Laura Presutti were all issued a base on balls to load the bases before a wild pitch scored pinch runner Kiersten Erlanson from third base.

Tracy Catanzarite's base hit drove in another run, giving the 'Lopes a 5-0 lead.

In the second inning Zivic and Milbert were credited with RBIs, and wild pitches were responsible for two other runs as the 'Lopes moved to a 9-0 lead.

Klesic had problems finding the strike zone in the top of the third inning issuing three walks and surrendering her only two hits, but managed to give up only one run that had the 'Lopes leading 9-1.

Avonworth added to their lead in the fourth inning, getting RBIs from Zivic, Lucy Angell and Zakor before Klesic chipped in from the plate with a two-RBI double to left field that put the final score at 14-1.