BUTLER, Pa. – The Clarion baseball team dropped a close decision in game one before falling by a larger margin in the second game, losing both ends of a doubleheader with Pitt-Johnstown by scores of 3-1 and 16-0, respectively, at Kelly Automotive Park.  The Golden Eagles (9-24, 3-15 PSAC West) will seek revenge on the Mountain Cats tomorrow afternoon with games played in Johnstown.
 
Kane McCall took a hard-luck loss in the first game, giving up three runs – only one earned – in the first inning but then shutting down the Mountain Cats in the ensuing six innings.  He struck out four and walked just one. 
 
The Golden Eagles struck back at the Mountain Cats in the bottom of the second inning, benefitting from a bout of wildness from UPJ pitcher Brantley Rice.  Dillon Wolbert lined a two-out double to deep right-center and came home when John Finke drove a pitch through the middle of the infield, making it 3-1.
 
The best chance for Clarion to pull even came in the third inning, when Mitch Holmberg hit a one-out single and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Tyler Falk reached base on a walk and the pair advanced on the basepaths thanks to a passed ball with two outs.  The rally was quashed, though, when Tom Connell struck out to end the inning. 
 
Though the Golden Eagles continued to reach base, they were unable to break through.  Another rally in the bottom of the seventh inning was quelled thanks to a batter's interference call, and Holmberg flew out to end the game.
 
Unfortunately, things did not go the way of the Golden Eagles in the second game, either.  Starter Kyler Mellott gave up seven runs, including a three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning, and the Golden Eagles never recovered momentum.  Wolbert, Austin Mike, and Matt Kamenicky all contributed hits in the loss.