April 17, 2008

PITTSBURGH - Thanks to a five-run second inning, the Allegheny College baseball team defeated Clarion University 9-7 Thursday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Allegheny jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the end of one inning before Clarion took a 3-2 lead with three runs in the top of the second. Matt White had the big hit for the Golden Eagles, a two-run single.

But the Gators answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning off of three Clarion pitchers.

Starter Nate Semovoski faced the first five batters of the inning getting two of them out but also surrendering three runs. Jake Yale relieved and faced four batters in the second, not retiring any of them. He walked two, including one with the bases loaded, while also giving up two hits. He was charged with two runs. Gregg Bandzuh was then able to pitch out of any further damage.

Clarion tried rallying in the fourth scoring three runs in the fourth after two outs to close the gap to 7-6. Kirk Hays had the big hit, a two-run single to left.

Allegheny got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fourth and then added an insurance run in the eighth. Clarion scored its final run in the top of the ninth on a throwing error.

Jason Krimsky led the offense with a pair of hits and two runs scored while also driving in a run. Hays and White each added one hit and two RBIs.

Bandzuh went 3 1/3 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. Nicholas LaManna pitched two scoreless innings of relief, while George Kovac gave up one run in his lone inning of work.

With the loss, Clarion falls to 7-19 on the season. The Golden Eagles return to action Friday at Lock Haven (1 p.m.)

NOTES - It is believed to be the non-NCAA Division I game to be played at PNC Park. Duquesne and Pitt have played the "City Game" at PNC Park the last few seasons ... Clarion alum Joe Kapp, who works for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was on hand. He was scheduled to do the public address announcing, but a glitch in the system prevented that from happening