March 25, 2008

LEWISBURG - The Clarion University baseball team took a step up in competition Tuesday and was swept by NCAA Division I Bucknell in a twinbill at Bucknell.

The Bisons (9-9-2) won Game One 15-3 and then beat the Golden Eagles (6-4) 19-1 in Game Two.

GAME ONE - Bucknell 15, Clarion 3 (Box Score)

In Game Two, Clarion took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first and held that advantage until the bottom of the third when Bucknell scored three runs. The Bison then scored once in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead before putting up a nine spot in fifth to blow the game wide open on their way to the 15-3 victory.

Matt White was 2-for-3 for Clarion, while Adam Foltz was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Jason Krimsky added 1-for-3 day with a triple and a run scored.

Robert Pollum took the loss for Clarion going 3 2/3 innings allowing four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three. Nate Semovoski went 2/3 of an inning allowing four earned runs on three hits and a walk. Nicholas LaManna went 1/3 of an inning allowing five earned runs on four hits and two walks, while White finished up going 1 2/3 innings allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two.

Jason Buursma paced Bucknell going 3-for-4 with home run, four RBIs and two runs scored.

Dylan Seeley started for Bucknell and got the win going the first three innings and allowing one earned run on three hits.

GAME TWO - Bucknell 19, Clarion 1 (Box Score)

In the opener, Bucknell put up at least four runs in four different innings while scoring 14 of its 19 runs in its final three at bats to get the 19-1 victory.

Foltz had Clarion's lone RBI and had two hits including a double. Jake Yackovich and Cedric Johnson each added doubles with Johnson's coming in a pinch-hit role in the sixth inning and led to the Golden Eagles' lone run.

John Hynes took the loss going 3 1/3 innings and allowing nine runs, five of them earned, on seven hits and three walks. He struck out three and also hit a batter. Gregg Bandzuh went one inning and allowing four earned runs on five hits. Jonathan Giuliani went 2/3 of an inning allowing four earned runs on one hits and three walks while also hitting two batters. Kirk Hays finished off going one inning and allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks. 

Eric Jarrett started and went for Bucknell going 3 innings allowing four hits and no runs and getting the win. He walked one and struck out three.

Buursma again led the Bison offense going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. He hit two home runs in the game.

NOTES - Bucknell's starters were credited with the wins despite only going three innings because the Bison "pre-staffed the game" allowing the starters to get the victory in a unique NCAA rule. (By prearrangement, if three or more pitchers are to be used, the pitcher of record shall be considered the winning pitcher.)