Box Score 1 | Box Score 2


CLARION-The Golden Eagle bats came alive in the second game to split a double-header with PSAC West conference opponent Mercyhurst Sunday afternoon at Clarion's Memorial Field 11-5, 5-4.
 
T.J. Anderson was on the mound for Clarion in game one.  He had a solid game going for the first three innings.  In the fourth, Anderson allowed four runners to score, however, only one being earned. 
 
In the sixth inning, Anderson began to stumble after walking the first two batters then giving up a double to clear the bases.  Kevin Gnacinski came in for relief and allowed two more unearned runs to score in the sixth.
 
Clarion showed a spark of what was to come for game two when the Golden Eagles manufactured a run in the bottom of the sixth.  Jerico Weitzel started the spark with a walk to get on base.  He advanced to second on a fielder's choice ground ball back to the pitcher by Jon Kemmer.  Weitzel then stole third base on the following pitch, and scored after an error and wild throw by the catcher.
 
The Clarion bats really came alive in the seventh.  Matt Rossi started things off with a double.  Josh Beimel beat out an infield single down the third base line, putting two on base for a Bill Hasson homerun to left field that landed in play of the softball game going on at the same time.
 
Scott Berkes followed the homerun with a single of his own to left field, however, he ended up on second due to an error by the left fielder who allowed the ball to bounce passed his glove.  Weitzel capitalized on that error by driving Berkes to score on a single.  That was the final push by the Golden Eagles in the first game.
 
In game two, Brandon Slater took to the mound for the Golden Eagles.  After a rough first inning, in which Mercyhurst score three runs, Slater settled down and didn't allow another run the rest of the game.
 
Through three innings, Clarion not only didn't have a hit, but also was kept from anyone reaching base.  That is until Kemmer was walked.  Ken Morgan then dropped a single in the outfield just out of reach of the defense to put runners on first and second.  Rossi singled to left field to score Kemmer from second and advance Morgan to third.  Beimel repeated Rossi with a shot to the left center field gap for a double and scored two.  This put the ballgame back to a tie at 3-3 with three innings left to play.
 
Clarion held Mercyhurst scoreless in the top of the fifth and then took the lead from a two out double by Morgan to score Weitzel from second base after Weitzel got on by a walk and a stolen base.
 
The Golden Eagles once again put a stop to a threat of scoring by Mercyhurst in the sixth inning and added breathing room for themselves by putting another run on the board and a two run separation going into the top of the seventh.
 
Slater got the first batter of the inning to fly out to right field, however, he then walked the next two batters in the seventh.  Slater put all he had into a fastball, but it wasn't enough as it was drilled for a double and one run scored.  He was then taken out of the game and replaced by Kemmer.  With runners on second and third and one out, Kemmer produced a huge strike out for the Golden Eagles for the second out of the seventh inning.  It looked glum for Clarion off the bat, everyone stood in silence, however, there was a big uproar as the center fielder came down with the ball at the fence to finalize Clarion's win for the final out.
 
Clarion will be on the road Tuesday at Mansfield before coming home to close the 2012 season against Millersville on Saturday at Clarion's Memorial Field.  The home double-header is slated to begin at 1pm.