Avon Grove relied on the proven formula of clutch hitting, good pitching, and solid defense to earn a 5-0 victory over West Chester East on Monday afternoon.

Avon Grove shortstop Riley Davis belted a sinking line drive that eluded the glove of rightfielder Tim Laird to plate 3 runs in the bottom of the third inning, giving his team a 3-0 lead. Davis eventually scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0.

Bryce Carey drove in a run with a double in the fifth inning, which gave Avon Grove a 5-0 lead.

Carey was Avon Grove's starting pitcher and he turned in 4.2 innings of good work on the mound, holding West Chester East to just two hits and no runs.

When West Chester East put two runners on in the top of the fifth on a single by Joey Wileczek and a walk by Adam Smith, Carey worked hard to set down the next two batters. Avon Grove coach Dave Whitcraft called on reliever Drew Iaia to get the final out of the inning. Iaia got Owen Egolf to ground out to short to end the threat.

Alex Ei pitched the final two innings for Avon Grove, closing out the shutout with more good work on the mound. West Chester East put its first two runners on in the top of the sixth on singles by Evan Werley and Manning Smith, but Ei struck out Joe McKernan on a nice off-speed pitch and got John Wileczek to ground out. Ei coaxed another ground out off the bat of Joey Wileczek to end the scoring threat.

West Chester East put two runners on in the top of the seventh, but Ei got Werley to ground out to third baseman Bryce Porter to close out the victory.

Throughout the game, Carey, Iaia, and Ei were supported by good defensive play by Avon Grove.

Avon Grove improved to 4-1 on the young season. West Chester East's record is now 2-2.