Westfield dropped the opening game of its Hoosier Crossroads Conference series with Avon 6-3 Thursday at the Orioles’ field.
The Shamrocks scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning; Zach Collins sent a double into center field to get Bryce Dorton home. Avon responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, then added three more in the second to take control of the game.
Sam Eaton hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to drive in Westfield’s remaining runs. Dorton also scored; he hit a double to get on base. Collins also hit a double in the sixth inning, his second of the game.
Both Dorton and Collins were 2-for-3 at the plate. Matthew Robinson pitched three innings and struck out four.
“We were pretty flat for the first 3-4 innings which was disappointing because there really isn’t any excuse for that,” said Westfield coach Ryan Bunnell. “I thought Matthew pitched well enough to win if we had played better behind him but we gave away way too much to win today. Tyler Smitherman did a great job of coming in and keeping Avon in check for us to have a chance. We’ll regroup and be better tomorrow.”
Westfield is 8-6 in the conference and 8-8 overall. The ‘Rocks host Avon at 6 p.m. tonight to continue the HCC series.
Avon 6, Westfield 3
Westfield AB R H RBI
Logan McClurg 3 0 0 0
Bryce Dorton 3 2 2 0
Sam Eaton 3 1 1 2
Zach Collins 3 0 2 1
Payton Tamm 3 0 1 0
Trey Anderson 3 0 0 0
Matthew Meyer 1 0 0 0
Eli Patchett 2 0 0 0
Kyle Pepiot 3 0 1 0
Brandon Yoder 2 0 0 0
Luke Hutson 0 0 0 0
Totals 26 3 7 3
Score by innings
Westfield 100 002 0 – 3 7 4
Avon 231 000 x – 6 7 0
HR: Eaton. 2B: Collins 2, Dorton.
Westfield pitching IP R ER H
Matthew Robinson 3 6 3 6
Tyler Smitherman 3 0 0 1
Strikeouts: Robinson 4, Smitherman 2. Walks: Robinson 2, Smitherman 1.