Avon, IN---No. 24 Avon hosted Hoosier Crossroads rival the Hamilton Southeastern Royals tonight on a chilly, but fairly pleasant evening. HSE came into the game 6-2, feeling slighted by every Indiana High School baseball poll. Avon entered today at 3-1 with a team full of underclassmen. Tonight Avon's youth lost to the junior/senior laden Royals and starting pitcher Jacob Kowal. Kowal is an unsigned senior that is not overpowering, but has the ability to mix up his pitches well and throws a good change up that had Avon's hitters on their front foot all night. Kowal allowed two hits in the first inning, but that was it for the rest of the night. He went on to strike out nine hitters, including the side in the second.

Hamilton Southeastern gave Kowal more than enough run support behind the bats of Mitch Roman (2013 MIF) and Sean Green (2012 C), both of which hit a home run. Green also contributed with a double off the wall, while Roman hit a rope down the left field line for a single. For the game, HSE had 10 hits and scored 9 runs, leaving the Orioles of Avon on the short end of a 9-0 final to open up conference play. These teams will play again tomorrow (4-12) at HSE at 5:30 pm.

Thoughts on the Teams

HSE will not wow you on the mound with velocity, but they have arms that have experience. Kowal is clearly the number one, but with Steven Curry out they are still in search for their number two. Nathan Upchurch has thrown well early in the year, and could potentially fall into the number two starting role.  Offensively, HSE will rely on scoring runs on bunts, stealing bases and moving runners. If they execute the little things, combined with Wes Edrington and Mitch Roman in the middle of the order, this is a team that could surprise people come tournament time. 

Avon will surprise people both ways. The Orioles will lose games you expect them to win, but can also beat the teams you would expect them to lose to. They are a young team with only five seniors, and after graduating their four best players from a year ago, this is a team with little experience on the varsity level. If the youth grows up quick, this is a team that could surprise people come May. On the mound, Avon will rely on Brad McCaslin (2013 who was 8-0 in 2011) and lefty Brandon Watkins (2012).