Devil Baseball Starts Strong, Topples Tigers In Season Debut

A pair of seniors led the way for the Avon Park baseball team in Friday night's First Pitch Classic at Head Field.

First baseman Buddy Duke went 2-for-3 with three RBI and Kyle Jackson pitched 4 2/3 innings of one-hit ball to lead the Red Devils to a 9-2 victory over Clewiston.

"It's always good to win, but we're using these games as practice games to take a look at all of our players," said Avon Park veteran coach Mort Jackson. "I knew we could hit the baseball, but we're focusing on defense because we don't have any overpowering pitchers that are going to strike people out.

"We've had less batting practice this spring than any year I can remember because our defense has to be solid if we're going to be successful."

Avon Park got on the scoreboard thanks to some shoddy Clewiston fielding in the top of the third inning.

Third baseman Chad Marley lined a one-out single to right field and Jackson's hard ground ball was misplayed by the Tigers' first baseman.

A wild pitch by Clewiston right-hander Miguel Romero moved the runners into scoring position and Duke roped a two-out double down the right-field line to score Marley and Jackson.

"Ever since Buddy changed the prescription for his glasses he has been killing the ball," said Coach Jackson. "He's swinging the bat well and is one of our team leaders."

Catcher Densby Jackson followed with an RBI single to left field and an infield error by the Tigers' third baseman allowed another run to score for a 4-0 lead.

Avon Park extended its lead in the fourth inning.

Marley got things started with a leadoff walk and Kyle Jackson's single to center field was misplayed for an error to put runners at second and third base.

Center fielder Shevas Hicks followed with a fly ball to left field that was dropped for an error that allowed Marley to score and Duke lined a single to right field to plate Jackson for a commanding 6-0 lead.

That was more than enough for Kyle Jackson, as the left-hander breezed through the Clewiston batting order with ease until a Red Devil error and a pitch count forced him from the game with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

"We played errorless ball behind Kyle until his last couple of batters," said the Red Devil skipper. "He threw strikes, located the ball and gave us a solid effort in his first outing of the season."

Avon Park right-hander Jeff Falis came on in relief and Clewiston's Andre Rios scored on a fielder's choice to trim the Tigers' deficit to 6-1 after five innings.

Hicks blasted a solo home run in the sixth inning and the Red Devils tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the seventh for a 9-2 lead.

Falis allowed a pair of hits and one run in 2 1/3 innings and retired the Tigers in order in the final inning to seal the win.

"We made four errors and that's a concern," said Coach Jackson. "Tomorrow's lineup is going to look a lot different than what we had tonight because I want to get a good look at everybody on the roster.

"I'm starting to see some progress, but we've got a long way to go."

Avon Park hosts the Early Bird Classic on Monday at Head Field and the Red Devils play Auburndale at 5 p.m., while Sebring takes on Lake Region at 7:30.

Avon Park plays Auburndale again on Tuesday at 7 p.m.