Box Score Box Score

DUE WEST, S.C. – Jerico Weitzel and Matt Rossi each had three hits and combined to score three runs but the Clarion University baseball team lost at Erskine in the first game of a three-game series 13-4 Tuesday afternoon.
 
Weitzel was 3-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases, while Rossi broke out of an early-season slump by going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
 
But Erskine (11-10) scored five runs in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead and never looked bac.
 
Clarion did get a run in the fourth when Rossi scored on a balk by Kevin Contrell, who got the win for Erskine going five innings and allowing the one run on three hits and four walks while striking out three.
 
Erskine answered Clarion's run with a run of its own in the fourth then added two in the sixth to take an 8-1 lead.
 
The Golden Eagles (1-5) tried to rally scoring twice in the seventh as Rossi doubled home Weitzel and then scored on a wild pitch to get Clarion within five at 8-3.
 
But Erskine scored three more in the bottom of the seventh before a Seth Peterson ground out in the eighth brought home Joe Holmberg with Clarion's fourth run. Erskine then closed out the scoring with two more runs in the bottom of the eighth.
 
Kevin Gnacinski took the loss for Clarion going three innings and allowing six earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two. Jon Roncolato scattered four hits over two innings of relief and didn't allow a run. He struck out two. Eric Hesdon allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in an inning of work while Sam Skraba allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in an inning of relief and Ken DiBucci finished off going one inning and allowing two earned runs on three hits.
 
Clarion and Erskine are back in action at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.