AVON CALLING: Winless just three years ago, Falcons race out to an 8-0 start this year

Three years ago, when Avon High School center fielder Eve Beloin was a freshman, the Falcons didn't win a single game. Not one.

They oh-for'd the entire season.

Last year, during Beloin's junior campaign, Avon was 15-5 during the regular season, losing in both the first round of the CCC tournament and the state tournament.

Only three seniors graduated from that squad, however.

This spring Avon has raced out to an 8-0 start on the season, qualifying for the state tournament once again while out-scoring opponents at a 115-32 clip thus far.

And Beloin is the only senior on the squad that has high hopes for the rest of the spring season.

Beloin, who is headed to Hamilton to play in the fall, and Avon head coach Mike Mihalek joined The Inside Corner Podcast on Tuesday to talk about the Falcons hot start, the influx of the freshmen and sophomores who have helped spark this resurgence and the future.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:09

Hi everybody, and welcome back to another episode of the Inside Corner of the Connecticut Softball Blog Podcast. And if you don't recognize the voice, there's a good reason for that. I'm John Nash, the publisher of the Connecticut Softball Blog. Normally you hear our producer and host Rob Adams, but Rob was unavailable today, so we're flying solo and we're heading up to Avon today to talk to the Avon varsity softball coach Mike Mahallock and his lone senior Eve Bologne. They're coming off a big win today. I believe it was 19 to 1, if I remember right, against Northwest Catholic. Undefeated, yeah, undefeated at 8 0 and number one as of right now in the uh class L standings, or are you guys double L? We're L. We're L. You're you're L. So yeah, so uh off to a great start. We appreciate you joining us. And and and coach, just talk about this start. You know, when when you saw the schedule, when you saw uh who you were facing, when you knew what you had coming back, and you you know, a young team obviously with just one senior, but did you think it was possible to come out of the gate and and you know through eight games be undefeated and and scoring at the clip you're scoring too? It's uh what uh you've outscored your opponents 115 to 32. So you got you guys uh have some big bats and and just did you expect this?

SPEAKER_02 1:31

So um we knew we had a lot of talent coming in, um, and we're and we knew that we'd be young. Um, so you never know how that's gonna unfold. Um so our one of our themes this year is one pitch at a time. And so we've been we've been pressing that um all season so far that we're gonna play every game one pitch at a time. Um and uh we we certainly can hit. Um we've the last couple games, excluding today, we've had a little bit of uh some some growing pains, you know. But as I explained to the team, um it's a learning experience. So we've we've persevered, uh, we've learned. So as we evolve and and continue through the season, we've got some tough games coming up. Um we'll get better. So um I'm not shocked that we're we started off like this. Um, you know, given the work ethic of all these kids, they worked really hard. Um, and uh, you know, they're they're they're a talented bunch.

SPEAKER_03 2:32

And and were you concerned about how young you were? You know, again, you get the one senior, you have what three juniors, I believe. Uh, I see a lot of single digits on your roster, so that's what two, four, six, seven freshmen. I got a feeling some of them are gonna play key roles for you. We'll talk about them in a minute. But was that a concern for you how young this group was, or are they just you know, uh uh purebred softball players who love the game and have been playing travel and at least have that experience coming in?

SPEAKER_02 3:02

Yeah, no, they uh this this group, uh in particular, you know, the um the freshmen that all came in, they they kind of grew up playing softball together, you know, through Little League, and um, you know, they they went to various travel organizations. Um uh even the sophomores, they've been very tight-knit group. So um we we just have a a team that has a lot of softball first type kids on it. So uh it's you know, it's Avon hasn't always historically had that. Um so this is something that's been in the making for a while, and um we're really excited about not only this year, but um, you know, future years. But um all of our eyes and and effort is uh our focus is on what's in front of us right now.

SPEAKER_03 3:49

Yeah, and I'm sure while your excitement for the for the next few years looks really, really good, let's turn it over to Eve for a minute, the lone senior. And Eve, this is you know, you're done after this year in terms of your Avon high school career. What does it mean for you to have this type of start to your senior year going eight and no out of the out of the blocks?

SPEAKER_00 4:08

Oh gosh, I mean, this is like the best that we've ever started um in my entire high school career. And I mean, I think it's great. Um, we're gonna, I mean, obviously we've already made the state tournament, but I'm hoping that we get pretty far. And um, I just think that we have great camaraderie. So, I mean, maybe the best that I've ever seen and ever been a part of.

SPEAKER_02 4:32

And John, what Eve's not telling you is that her freshman year, um, she went through a season where they didn't win a game. Oh, no kidding. Yeah, Ofer.

SPEAKER_00 4:43

Yeah, wow.

SPEAKER_03 4:46

Um, so so uh coach, how how have you rebuilt the program to be, you know, because last year I think it was a 16-win season. Does that sound right?

SPEAKER_02 4:55

Uh yeah, we were 15 and five regular season, 15 and 7 overall.

SPEAKER_03 5:00

Gotcha, 15 and 7. So how how have you turned it around? Is it just getting this group of kids in?

SPEAKER_02 5:08

So it's uh yeah, it's it's it all starts in the youth program. Um, and we've had some really dedicated people within the town. Um, this is my fifth year involved in the program. So when I came in, I made sure that immediately that we built a connection between the high school and the youth program. Uh, we do clinics in the fall. Eve, you know, is uh and and her uh fellow upper upperclassmen are um you know big big helps in uh in running these clinics. Um so we wanted to make sure that there was that connection and there was that development. And um again, it's just it's taken a few years, but um it's um I think there's you know record numbers of kids now playing softball in the town of Avon in the uh you know the youth age groups. Uh so it's just great to see that um there's just more interest than ever in the sport.

SPEAKER_03 6:01

How much of that was you when you took over at Avon saying, okay, we need a feeder system versus a group of parents coming in and saying, Hey, our kids play softball, let's let's build something in town, or has it been a mix of both?

SPEAKER_02 6:15

So I think it's been a mix of both. Um, the uh again, there's been some um some people in town that have really taken this on as you know, put the weight on their shoulders, so to speak, and um you know, you really helped develop things. I also think it helped that you know, when I my first year, we had you know two power four kids. We had uh pitcher and catcher, Amanda Hassler's now uh starting for Oklahoma State and Jackie Pengles pitching for Syracuse. So, you know, those those two kids were rock stars. Um, you know, and I think the youth when I came in, you know, we had Little League Appreciation Day and whatnot. So I think that got got them all excited. And so, you know, those two kids really helped kickstart us, um, you know, get some excitement in town. And then uh, you know, then we had to then we had to some lean years with um, you know, uh waiting for a group of kids that were softball first kids to come in.

SPEAKER_03 7:13

Gotcha. So so they were a few years back uh before you came, kind of.

SPEAKER_02 7:20

Yeah, yeah. So uh when I started, uh Amanda and Jackie were uh seniors. Gotcha, okay.

SPEAKER_03 7:26

Yeah, so you had to wait for that group to get to the high school level. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 7:30

But I think you know, but those two, you know, I think built some excitement in town, and then the youth got excited, you know, and then uh, you know, we we we we got players like Eve, you know, uh on board, and um you know, players, you know, she's she's practicing all the time, she's softball first and dedicated to the sport, and you know, um, and it's contagious, you know. You get those types of players in your system, and um it makes everybody around you better.

SPEAKER_03 8:00

Oh, very much so. And and Eve, you know, getting back to you to go over the season as a freshman. I mean, were you thinking about maybe lacrosse is a fun sport? I mean, what what was it like to watch this team grow, this program go grow to the point where you win 15 games as a junior and now you you've you've won eight in a row to open your senior year?

SPEAKER_00 8:23

Um I think I just feel really proud of everyone around me and how hard that they've worked, and then I also feel proud of myself because I'm a part of this, we're a part of this. Um we're just trying to grow and not only win, but also play quality games and grow as individuals as well.

SPEAKER_03 8:45

And being being the lone senior, you know, and again, you have what one, two, only three juniors, so it's a very small leadership group at top at the top. Do you feel pressure being the only senior, or are the juniors great leaders who help you uh, you know, kind of set the set the tone for the program and the direction that we're headed in?

SPEAKER_00 9:09

Um, I don't feel any pressure at all. I think I have two great junior co-captains with me, and they've played softball for years, and they play travel softball as well. So um they know what it's like to put softball first, and they take it just as seriously as I do. And um, I very much appreciate that, but they are great leaders, so I don't really feel any pressure.

SPEAKER_03 9:34

So, coach, you know, however long ago it was now, about a month ago, I guess, maybe, uh maybe five weeks ago, what goals had you set for this team? You know, how far did you think this group could could go or it still can go?

SPEAKER_02 9:48

So uh, you know, I think we don't we don't talk a lot about winning per se. Um, you know, we do that in the beginning of the season. And so uh I think the message to the team was that if you look at the schedule, we can win every game. So we are capable, we are capable of winning every game on our schedule. Um, and if we do the right things, if we if we practice hard, um we play that game, the game one pitch at a time, you know, we let the mistakes uh be in the past and focus on the next play. Um they I said they can win every game, it's up to them. And um, so that's what that's what we the message we continue to deliver. But um last year the bar was set high. You know, we were 15-5, um you know, two years removed from a zero win season. And uh I remember at the banquet last year, you know, telling that club that you guys have have set the bar high now. Um so that's that's where it is, and you know, that's the bar that we're um we're aiming to uh you know overcome.

SPEAKER_03 10:52

Like so. How many seniors did you lose off of uh last year's team?

SPEAKER_01 11:00

Uh Eve, you remember off top of your head? Just a couple.

SPEAKER_00 11:05

Yeah, uh two.

SPEAKER_01 11:08

Two, yeah, that was it. So you've been you've been young for a while then. I mean, we've been young, yeah, we've been young for a while, absolutely.

SPEAKER_03 11:15

Yep. Wow, that that's amazing. And to me, it it it even makes it uh, you know, kind of a better story. And what what can you tell me about Eve? Just you know, as that lone senior on this team, her as a leader, her you know, roaming center field out there for you. Obviously, you know, she's going to Hamilton, which we'll get to in a minute, to play. Uh obviously, she's a smart kid, you know, because she's getting into Hamilton as well. Um, but what what what can you say about her? I'm assuming she's a captain. Um but just yeah, just just talk, you know, tell me about your lone senior.

SPEAKER_02 11:47

Yeah, absolutely. So it's always great as a coach to have a player like Eve. Um, as you mentioned, she's our center fielder, and for years now, she's she's been our center fielder. Um, but it's just great uh as a coach because when a ball leaves a bat and it's heading towards center field, you know it's gonna be caught. You know the ball's gonna be cut off, you know, before it reaches the fence. Um, you know that she's gonna make the right throw to the right base. Um and she's gonna make, you know, she's uh directing the other outfielders if it's hit to the right or left, always communicating. Um, you know, she's another coach on the field. Um it's just a um it's just great to have out there, you know, from a coaching standpoint, um, to have another coach on the field. Um and then her numbers are incredible. Um every year they've gotten better. Um, you know, right now she's hitting in the upper 600s. Um her on-base percentage is incredible. Um, and it's she's she's just you know, this year she's just hitting it on all so on on all cylinders, and um, I don't see her slowing down at all.

SPEAKER_03 12:58

Well, we're gonna talk about the rest of the Falcons in a minute. Right now, Eve, you are the center fielder of attention, if you will. But yeah, just just tell me how did you get involved in the sport of softball? Uh, you know, why are you doing this sport? And so, you know, Avon, I'm sure I'm I think has a great tradition in soccer, if if I believe, you know, I know you're up in that Farmington uh, you know, area that that soccer is such an important sport, but what what is it about this sport where you're supposed to fail most of the time, you don't because you're hitting 600. But what was it about softball that made you love it so much that you became a college player, or you will be come become a college player uh and play it in at the next level?

SPEAKER_00 13:39

Um, I think what initially got me involved is I was probably seven or eight years old, and my mom played. So I started playing Little League, and then I think when I was 12, I joined my first travel team and I immediately fell in love with it. Um, and I was playing soccer also at the time. Uh I did quit before high school, but um yeah, and I have gained so many new friends and connections through softball, and I just think it's it's one of those sports where it's not only like it's interesting to play and there's a lot going on, but it's also interesting to watch as well. It's a fast-paced game, and um I like watching fast-paced games, like I think it's a little bit different than baseball because baseball's kind of slow, not to be honest, but um yeah, just the connections that I've made and the life lessons that I've learned along the way.

SPEAKER_03 14:40

And who was your travel program?

SPEAKER_00 14:43

I play for Connecticut Lightning.

SPEAKER_03 14:45

The Lightning, okay, up in Southington?

SPEAKER_00 14:47

Yeah, yeah, that's where you play.

SPEAKER_03 14:49

Okay, and and have you I was that your only travel program like your whole career?

SPEAKER_00 14:53

Uh no, I've been on a few.

SPEAKER_03 14:55

Yeah, okay. So yeah, that's uh that tends to be the way in softball sometimes, so that's why I asked. Because anybody that is with one program for the longest time, that always blows me away. But and and when did you realize that uh the opportunity to play in college was there for you if you wanted to pursue it?

SPEAKER_00 15:13

Um I mean, I don't know. I was maybe like freshman year, I started taking recruiting more seriously, and um you're in an atmosphere where all the players around you're playing at such a high level where all the players around you also want to play in college, and you're like, wait, like that seems like fun. I want to do that, not just because it's fun, but it's something that I love, and to do that at the same time as going to school and getting a good education, that's what I wanted. And so um I started taking recruiting more seriously as a freshman, and then it amped up and amped up um more and more throughout my sophomore and junior year as well. And I mean, eventually I started getting interest from coaches, and I was like, wait, like I actually do have the potential to do this, and I want to do this so bad.

SPEAKER_03 16:08

And and why Hamilton? What was it about that school that made you say, okay, this is where I want to spend the next four years of my life and play softball?

SPEAKER_00 16:17

So um, when I was narrowing down my search, I was like, okay, I want to go to a higher academic, probably D3 school. Um, and didn't necessarily need to be like, you know, super close to Connecticut, but it's just easier to get recruited that way when, you know, more local schools, not saying that it's like super local. Um, but and then um I found Hamilton along with a bunch of other schools like it. And so, you know, when I post my videos or send out emails to coaches, I would email the coaches from Hamilton, my coaches, and I would tag them in all my videos and stuff. And then um earlier in the summer, earlier last summer, they came to a game and watched me, and they showed more interest. They asked me to come to their camp, and I did, and that was my first time seeing campus as well. And I immediately fell in love, and I was like, if I have the opportunity to go here, I'm going here.

SPEAKER_03 17:23

And you're far enough away that you're away from family, yet you get to come to Trinity, you get to come to Middletown and play Wesleyan. So, so you get to stay somewhat regional too, which is nice, right? That's awesome. Well, congratulations. I'm very happy for you, and I'm sure Coach is really proud for you. Uh, but all that's in the future. We're talking about the present, and and coach, you know, we we talked about Eve. Tell me about your junior class and those three kids and and what they bring to the program, both leadership-wise and on the field.

SPEAKER_02 17:51

Absolutely. So uh um, first we have Maddie Jetty. So she's a uh she's playing third base for us this year. She played short last year, she's uh returning all conference player. Um, so um she's uh good great leader and uh starting to turn that bat on. Um so um starting to hit her stride. Um then we have Zoe Say. Zoe's been uh starting for us at uh D8 or DP, I should say. Um so um she's uh also a returning player. She's played multiple positions. Um and then the last junior is uh Charlotte Bande Bandevere. Um and um she's uh more of a reserve player, um, loves the game, you know, great, great kid. And uh though she she lit it up at the plate today, though, didn't she? So it's great to see. She's a great kid, and uh um, you know, she's doing she's doing a great job.

SPEAKER_03 18:53

And how about your sophomores? You know, we'll get to the freshmen because I know they're playing an important role for you, but that you know, that group that came in just what one year removed from the over season, helped you to 15 wins. You know, I mean they got to be a pretty big group for you, I'm guessing.

SPEAKER_02 19:09

So yeah, so uh so Jess Mesia was uh you know, she she's also uh she was all conference as a freshman, she's uh one of our pitchers. Um we uh she's complimented this year with another a freshman pitcher, but uh so Jess is uh relied upon um in the circle for us. Uh Anna Kelly um has taken over as uh a starting catcher. Um uh Bree Connellan um is our leadoff hitter. Uh she was our leadoff hitter as a freshman last year as well. She's one of our outfielders, doing a great job, seeing a lot of pitches, um, you know, high on base percentage. But all three of those kids are just they play critical roles for us. Um and um they're they're you know a great, a great core um to build off of.

SPEAKER_03 20:01

And and yeah, you talk about Bree being the leadoff hitter, just looking at your stats today, three walks, so she didn't have to hit to get on base, scored three times. So, I mean, if if that's that's you know, textbook uh uh leadoff hitter for you there. Uh this freshman class, before we get to all of them, I want you to tell me about Fallon Banks because I went through every single one of your box scores, and my god, I don't know what this kid is hitting for you, but it seems like every game she's three for three, four for four. Uh is she as good as her numbers, you know. And again, a lot of times parents might be doing game changer, and you you don't know how accurate they are, but how good is this kid?

SPEAKER_02 20:42

Yeah, so I I've said that uh Fallon is arguably the best freshman in the state. Now, obviously, I don't get a chance to see all the freshmen play, but uh definitely, you know, uh uh in the top five. Um, this kid doesn't doesn't hit a ball lightly. So she's uh after today, she's I think she's hitting over 700. Um, and everything gets squared up. Like she just does not does not hit a ball lightly. She's got uh a couple home runs, but the velocity of the ball, so her exit VL is just incredible. Um I've known her for a while. I've I've coached her in travel ball. Um she just works extremely hard. She's in the gym, at the batting cage. Um, you know, like Eve, she wants to play in college. You know, she has that dream, and um I don't think there's any gonna be anything that gets in her way.

SPEAKER_03 21:41

And and you know, is she intimidated at all as a freshman or has has her is she playing uh at a higher enough travel level that she's used to yeah, she's playing you know at a at a high travel level, showcase team and whatnot.

SPEAKER_02 21:55

But um she's you know, she's 14 years old, so she was nervous. um you know i know her her mom and dad were telling me how nervous she was to to play her first couple games at uh at the high school level which shocked me a little bit just because she you know she's very mature and has it plays at a high level for travel but um I think the first game she hit the wind was blowing in hard and she hit a ball that went went through like there was no wind. She just hit a ball probably I don't know Eve how far did that home run go? Probably 240 250 uh it was just incredible um you know and I think after that swing those nerves went away that that'll usually do it a 240 home run a 240 foot home run will usually shake away all the nerves you know eve think back three years ago you were that kind of I don't want to say clueless freshman but you you were that freshman that was uh you know trying to find your way hoping for the best when you when you look and see the things that Fallon's doing this year as a freshman what are your thoughts on her she's I mean she's so good I mean I think of her very highly um I mean if she keeps working I mean she has so much potential right now to go to wherever she wants to play softball but if she keeps working that's gonna happen I mean doors are gonna open for her um and even as a freshman I think she's leading on and off the field so no that's awesome and I might have to keep the blog going for three more years just to do her college commitment story I guess but uh take take me through the rest of your ninth graders you know we got about uh nine minutes left so that's a good you know little number here to talk about uh uh the ninth graders uh you know it's not just Fallon who else is contributing for you that's new to the program no absolutely um so um in no particular order so Meredith Parker um she's been playing first base and also catching so splitting some time with with Anna Kelly um we have a little bit of a rotation we have a pitcher uh Lana Storz who um is a great compliment to Jess Mesier so Jess has a really high spin rate gets a lot of ground balls you know pop-ups Lena comes in throws a little harder um a little bit um bigger repertoire of pitches um so we've been pitching them both and they've been a great compliment um but when Lana comes in Meredith will go catch and Anna Kelly will go to second um um let's see um a couple of the others McKenna Baston is uh again travel plays travel ball has uh has come in and started hitting really well um lately for us she plays third base and outfield um uh who else we have we have uh Jim and Lee uh Grace Ernest um again role players for us but um they're always ready to play and they're they they had great games today they contributed today um at the plate and in the field Maddie Perino is a starting right fielder for us um again just a you know softball first type of kid um and um has is really solid in the field and is contributing at the plate um I know I'm gonna leave someone out and then and uh I apologize trying to go down my list here um oh and then uh another sophomore to mention is noelle batar so she's uh we play her at second base third base outfield she never knows even pre-game she's gonna ask me coach where do you where do you want me to go I'm like starting the outfield and then when outfield's done come in the infield and uh we'll go from there um so I think that's uh even my missing anybody uh I think you got everyone yeah I was just saying even today you threw uh a bitar at third base right yeah the first time she played there all year yeah so so literally that but you can you need those type of kids that's for sure so yeah um you know we're we're taping on Tuesday night we're posting on Wednesday morning and for those of you know for those that listen in the morning on Wednesday uh you have a big game uh on Wednesday against East Catholic uh a matchup of undefeated teams after that you got Rocky Hill and of course uh you know uh uh Maddie DeRita over there is a friend of the podcast uh we did a story on her when she got hired and then you have a three and three Winslow's East Gramby team so you I don't want to say that your early schedule was easy because you you did have you know a couple easy teams there but you also had some you know a couple winning record teams and things like that.

SPEAKER_03 26:37

But how important are these next three games for you guys to really build momentum into the second half of the season?

SPEAKER_02 26:44

Yeah you know it was something we talked about after the game today that tomorrow is going to be a a good test to see where we are um as a as a club and um so we're we're looking forward to the challenge tomorrow it's um we know it's gonna be uh a good game and uh you know we're gonna be mentally ready to play it um so after tomorrow we'll we'll know a little bit more about ourselves um as you mentioned Rocky Hill is really tough Maddie does a great job with that program they were they were strong last year I was really impressed with um how well they were coached um and I told Maddie that after the game um so that's gonna be a tough one and then you know following that we've got um you know Scott Resco and Maloney they're they're they're off to a great start we've got Chris Sawyer Lewis Mills you know so it doesn't get any easier for us um but um you know it's good good to get good to be obviously undefeated um and uh you know build some confidence um but I think we're ready for the challenge well well please don't hold this against us but Lewis Mills uh and Chris were our guests last week uh on the podcast and then they lost their first game so don't don't blame me don't even think I said anything about that I was joking with Rob that oh my god it's like the sports illustrated cover jinx or something like that but uh uh you know hopefully you guys have just gotten off to the great start and and and just you know as as we're winding down here just four minutes left the offense that you know even last year you guys were were scoring a lot of runs this year you're scoring a ton of runs what what is it are you just you know is there a certain hitting coach up there that's teaching them how to hit or how are you guys scoring this many runs in a conference like the CCC so we we hit every day so we do some form of hitting in the practice in practice every day and you know our philosophy is that um if if we want to be good hitters we've got to you know we've got to go through through our drills and and uh the other thing is we we talk a a lot and uh eve's probably gonna smirk a little bit when I say this about being on offense when you're up to bat that you're not you're not protecting the plate you know you're on offense when you protect something you're on defense so we don't want to take pitches um you know we want to be aggressive and we talk about it I think uh in nauseam to the players about not taking pitches and being aggressive and obviously there's game situations where you're going to take pitches but just overall um we want to be up there swinging and that's the philosophy that we have as a program that's you know that's the philosophy that uh when we go through drills and practice you know we have certain themes and you know may change daily but we're getting these kids to you know have the mindset have a plan have them have the mindset that they're gonna go up there and be aggressive yeah the the when I was coaching all those eight years at both at GFA and in the travel ball game I I really thought taking strike two was going to be the death of me because it drove me crazy when I see kids taking strike two because all of a sudden you're down to your last strike and your average plummets you know that's been mathematically proven it was just it was madness but uh anyway the Falcons of Avon High School eight and oh coming out of the uh gate this year headed to the state tournament but I know they're they're hoping for you know better things in the future head coach Mike Mahallock thank you so much for for joining us the team's lone senior eve belogne thank you so much for joining us and and and just continued success to you guys and uh hopefully we'll catch up again somewhere down the line so uh best of luck to you guys we appreciate it John thanks for having us on oh my pleasure hopefully next week Rob will be back and who knows uh where on the state we'll be going but you've been listening to the Inside Corner podcast brought to you by the Connecticut Sports blog thanks everybody for listening