Avonworth’s Tom Turnbull scores on a hit from Jack Rind to give the Antelopes a 2-0 lead in the first inning of last week’s game against Freeport. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

Although the Avonworth baseball team lost its first two games -- nonsection contests against AA teams -- it’s too early to tell how well the season will go for the young team.

Last year Avonworth lost a handful of games at the start of the season, but turned things around and went 10-0 and undefeated in the section to win the 4A championship.

"We lost 10 seniors from last year, and this year we have what I like to call ‘one-and-a -half [seniors]," said head coach Phil Coffin. Those players are Tom Turnbull, and Jimmy Zubik -- who hasn't played since the eighth grade.

On Thursday, April 1, the 'Lopes dropped a 12-8 decision against Brentwood at home, and followed that with a 15-4 loss at home to Freeport this past Monday.

Against Freeport, Avonworth started with Frank Restelli on the mound. He gave up a hit to the first batter, but catcher Bryan Bartram threw the runner out before the 'Lopes retired the sides.

Avonworth took advantage of a couple of Freeport mistakes to take the lead in their half of the inning. Outfielder Brian Vales led off the inning, reaching base when the Yellowjacket second baseman dropped the ball and couldn't recover in time. Zubik hit into a force-out at second, but was able to advance to second himself following a wild pitch. Turnbull then drew a walk when Restelli delivered a hit past the shortstop to load the bases.

With two outs, Nick Hobbs drew a walk that brought Zubik in for a 1-0 lead. Jack Rind hit an RBI single to left field to give the 'Lopes a 2-0 lead.

The lead didn't last long, as Freeport took advantage of timely hitting, along with stolen bases, to advance runners and score runs to lead 6-2.

The Yellowjackets added a run in the third before scoring five runs with Coby Croft on the mound in the fourth inning to lead 14-2.

Croft's double in the bottom of the fourth set up Andrew Nicklaus' deep drive to centerfield that resulted in an inside the park home run that had Avonworth behind 14-4.

Freeport added one more run in the fifth inning with Michael Giampole on the hill to put the final at 15-4.

After the game Coffin said, "We need some live pitching and some game action," which the 'Lopes will get, as they left for spring training in Florida the next day.