Apr 10, 2008

The Ava junior varsity baseball team opened the season on a winning note back in mid-March, defeating Willow Springs 13-6 on March 18. Trae Shelton was on the mound for Ava and pitched three innings, holding Willow to three runs. The Ava Bears hit the ball well for their first game of the year. Shelton helped his cause by going 4-for-4. Matt Jenkins and Sean Evans were each 3-for-4, and Garrett Baird was 2-for-4. Evans came and closed the game earning a save while Shelton got the win. Next the Bears faced rival Mtn. Grove on March 20. Evans got the start for Ava and the Bears took an early 5-2 lead after the first inning. The Bears continued to hit well, with Shelton and Ethan Cobb each 3-for-3, and Evans going 2-for-3. Ava's defense held Mtn. Grove to six runs, and the Bears got the win, 12-6. West Plains would become Ava's next victim on March 25, as the Bears took a 4-1 win from the Zizzers. Shelton got the start and allowed West Plains only one run. The Bears played solid defense behind him, committing only one error. Offensively, the Bears made good use of their opportunities, moving and scoring the few runners they had. Evans, Jenkins, Cobb and Baird each scored runs for Ava. Shelton finished the game, collecting his second win of the season and striking out seven in the process. On March 29 the Bears entered the Houston JV Tournament with a 3-0 record, and faced a good Rolla team. Shelton threw once again for the Bears. Ava scored two runs in the first inning but trailed the strong-hitting Rolla team. Costly Ava errors and good hitting by Rolla resulted in a 12-3 win for Rolla. The tournament was canceled shortly after the game due to rain. The Bears hosted Liberty in a make-up game this past Saturday and claimed an 8-2 win over the Eagles. Shelton took the mound for the Bears and held the Eagles to just two runs on the day. Steven Barfield sparked the Ava offense, accounting for four of Ava's eight runs. Ava faced Willow Springs for the second time on Monday. Evans was back on the mound pitching his best performance of the year, striking out seven of 10 batters faced. The Bears' offense stayed hot, scoring 11 runs in three innings while holding Willow to a single score. Ava hit the ball well and ran the bases accordingly. The game was called after three innings, with the Bears leading 11-1. The Bears will face the Thayer Bobcats next at home.