PAINESVILLE, Oh. - The Clarion University baseball team defeated Lake Erie College by a final score of 12-7 Wednesday afternoon at Braggs Field. The win moves the Golden Eagles to 12-30 (4-20 PSAC) on the season, the most wins of any Golden Eagles squad since 2012. The Blue and Gold will return to action on May 5th when they host Gannon at Memorial Stadium for a Friday afternoon double-header.
Dillon Wolbert got the nod on the hill for Clarion Wednesday, and the right-hander responded with a strong six-innings of three-run ball, scattering five hits and striking out five on the afternoon to earn the win.
The Storm actually managed to draw first blood, going up 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning courtesy of a fielders choice play at first, however CU was quick to answer right back. After reaching on a bunt-single, shortstop Joe Lopez managed to steal second and get into scoring position shortly before a
Tyler Falk single down the left-field line put Lopez over to tie things at 1-1.
Clarion would keep the momentum going in the fourth as
Austin Blauser doubled to right-center to score
John Finke and make it 2-1. A two-run, two hit fifth inning put the Eagles out in front 4-1 before the Blue and Gold blew teh game wide open with a five-run sixth.
After loading the bases for
Brady Andrews, the right-fielder blasted a line drive to left-field that allowed the first run to cross. After
Tyler Falk walked to load the bases yet again two batters later, Dillion Wolbert figured he'd follow suit, drawing a walk of his own that scored Blauser from third. A Garret Goslaw double to right-center knocked in the final three runs of the sixth to give CU a commanding 9-1 lead.
The Storm would fight back however, putting up a two-spot in the bottom of the sixth to makes it 9-3 before adding four more in the seventh to come within twio, 9-7.
Luckily for Clarion, the bull pen was up to the task. The Combo of
Ty Bittner, Tom Connell, and
Tyler Falk kept LEC at bay, combining for scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th to help the Eagles close things out. Clarion would add three more in the top of the ninth for good measure to come away with the 12-7 victory.
