The Bellevue Avalon Baseball Association (BABA) is asking area residents to join them in raising funds to help the family of a volunteer coach.

Mark Trimmer, a local postal carrier, was critically injured in a car accident earlier this month and passed away on Monday.

BABA will lead a fund-raising effort on Sunday, June 26, from noon to 6 p.m. at the baseball fields at 521 New Brighton Road, Avalon.

There will be a D.J., home run and infield competitions, dunk tank, flea market, moon bounce, face painting, basket raffles, a Texas hold ‘em tournament and more.

By JIM RUMBLE

Although it has been a down year for the Avonworth baseball team, defeating one of the better teams in the section twice would seem to be motivation enough when the Antelopes hosted New Brighton this past Tuesday. After coming from behind to take the lead late against the Lions, the ‘Lopes unfortunately were unable to hang on, and they fell 9-6 to incur their fifth straight loss.

“We’re learning the hard way this year,” said coach Phill Coffin.

By JIM RUMBLE

It was a game that seemed headed for the loss column in this irregular season when the Avonworth softball team hosted Our Lady Of the Sacred Heart in an all-important section match-up on Wednesday, April 17.

Trailing by five runs heading into the final inning of play, the Lady ‘Lopes showed their character as they fought back from behind to claim victory in extra innings, 9-8.

"This should go down as one of the top two or three wins in Avonworth history," said coach Chris Knox.

By JIM RUMBLE

Hoping to bounce back after a shellacking at the hands of Quaker Valley last Friday, the Avonworth baseball team kept it close against Freedom, but could not overcome some mistakes in the final inning, losing 5-3 this past Monday.

"They [Freedom] deserved to win," said coach Phil Coffin afterwards. "They hit with men in scoring position and we didn't."

The loss could be detrimental to the team's chances of earning a spot in post season play. Realizing the implications of the loss Coffin said, "It's going to depend on what other teams are doing."

By JIM RUMBLE

After starting the season with six losses, the Northgate baseball team earned their first win of the season when they hosted Cornell in a non-section game this past Monday.

Overcoming a slow start with an outburst on offense, the Flames banged out 12 hits on their way to a 15-7 victory over the Raiders.

Northgate pitcher Matt Dombrowski picked up the win, and Johnny Camello did a masterful job in relief by not allowing a run or giving up a hit over the final three-and-two-thirds innings.

By JIM RUMBLE

After starting the season with three consecutive losses, it seemed as though things were due to change for the Northgate Flames softball team as they hosted Avella this past Tuesday.

The Eagles, who were also winless coming into the game, took advantage of the Flames' struggles on the mound as well as a stagnant offense on their way to a 10-0 victory. “We have a young pitching staff and they're still learning," said first-year coach Jody Harrison.

Northgate has a new head football coach.

The district's school board voted unanimously at its committee of the whole meeting Monday to hire Brandon LeDonne to replace T.J. Wiley, who resigned to accept a coaching position at another school after two years with the Flames.

LeDonne, who teaches fourth grade in the Aliquippa school district, has coached football for Moon, Aliquippa and Quaker Valley high schools.

He will be paid $6,804.

"I'm very excited at the opportunity," LeDonne said.

By JIM RUMBLE

With a playoff spot for the upcoming WPIAl playoffs already in hand, it was difficult to figure out what the Avonworth girls’ basketball team's mind set would be when they traveled to Northgate to close out section play last Thursday.

The two teams battled to the end, with the Lady ‘Lopes taking advantage of a 9-0 run in the first half that proved to be the difference as they defeated the Flames 39-30.

"We knew it would be tough," said Avonworth coach Leah Uhernik.

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls got right back into section play following the holidays when they hosted Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on Thursday, Jan. 3.

Although the Lady ‘Lopes had a difficult time producing any offense against the Chargers, their solid play defensively kept them in the game before they fell in the end, 41-28.

"We played great defense but couldn't generate any offense," said coach Leah Uhernik afterwards.

By JIM RUMBLE

In a game that the Avonworth football team completely dominated, the Antelopes overcame some costly penalties to defeat West Shamokin at home last Friday, 28-7.

The mercy rule may have come into effect early on if it weren't for three penalties that wiped out a couple of opportunities to put points on the scoreboard.

"We've got to eliminate those costly mistakes - they kill us," said coach Duke Johncour.

Andrew Broadus had another huge night running the ball, with 10 carries for 162 yards.

By JIM RUMBLE

Battling back from behind on a dreary Saturday afternoon, the Avonworth Antelopes scored their first conference win of the saeson against Riverview, 15-8.

"It was a great game," said coach Duke Johncour. "It was a shame for someone to lose that one, but we were fortunate enough to come away with the victory."

By JIM RUMBLE

The Avonworth girls’ basketball team’s foray into the state playoffs was short, and not so sweet, as the girls fell to the state’s number-two ranked Villa Maria.

The Lady ‘Lopes found it difficult to overcome an early double-digit deficit and lost to the three-time defending state champion 55-28.

"I think after the first quarter we played pretty tough," said coach Bob Schulz after the game. "We changed to a 2-3 zone and it was effective in keeping us in the basketball game," he said.