The Plateau Avengers, a 14U baseball team, dropped its first contest in West Zone competition.

The West Zone tournament started Thursday in West Covina, Calif.

The Enumclaw-based squad fell 8-2 to Arizona.

In the losing effort, Max Favero had a big day. He went 3-for-3 at the plate, including a home run to left field.

At 11:30 Friday, the Avengers will take on the loser of Thursday contest between a pair of Southern California squads, Long Beach and West Covina.

The Avengers qualified for the West Zone tourney by emerging as the No. 1 Pony team in Washington.