FLORENCE, S.C. – A dramatic six-run rally in the top of the 9
th inning propelled the Clarion University baseball team to a wild 9-7 victory over Fairmont State Saturday night.
The Golden Eagles started their day with a 16-10 loss to Ohio Dominican, in a game which lasted nearly four hours. The nightcap last roughly 3.5 hours but this time it was Clarion who came out on top.
After today's action Clarion's record sits at 4-7 overall.
Game 1
The day got off to a rough start for the Golden Eagles, as Ohio Dominican sent 13 men to the plate in a treacherous 10-run top of the 1
st inning.
Clarion would chip away with a single run in the 4
th and then explode for five runs in the 6
th and four runs in the 8
th to cut the Ohio Dominican lead to 13-10. The Panthers would add three insurance runs in the top of the 9
th to extend their lead to 16-10.
Despite having to dig out of a deep hole, the Golden Eagles outhit the Panthers on the day, 14-10. Pacing the Clarion offense was
Cole Shaffer, who went 3 for 5 with 3 RBI.
Nick Fugh,
Brady Andrews,
Dillon Wolbert, and
Dustin Daihl all had multi-hit games for Clarion.
Freshman
Kyle Thompson was tagged for the loss, making just his second collegiate start.
Game 2
Fairmont State put up single runs in the first, second and third innings, then used a four-run fourth inning to jump out to a 7-0 lead.
Clarion chipped away with single runs in the 5
th and 6
th innings to stay within striking distance at 7-2. An unearned run in the top of the 8
th cut the Fairmont lead to 7-3 and set the stage for a dramatic ninth inning.
A critical two-out error by Fairmont State opened the flood gates, as the next seven Clarion batters would reach base, capped by a
Will Constantin RBI single to give Clarion a 9-7 lead. The Golden Eagles would plate six runs on just one hit in the inning.
Left handed reliever
Bailey Durocher was credited with win after throwing 2.1 innings of no-hit baseball, punching out six Fairmont batters and walking just two. Durocher entered for Tom Connell, who turned in three scoreless frames, striking out five.
Freshman
Dereck Pritchard started on the mound, throwing 3.2 innings, surrendering 9 hits and 7 earned runs.
Wolbert and
Garett Goslaw, each had a pair of hits for Clarion, while
Will Constantin added a hit and a pair of walks to go along with a number of outstanding defensive plays.
Clarion will be back in action on Sunday with a 1pm single nine-inning game against Ohio Dominican.