CARY, NC – An intense seven-hit performance in game one of the 2019 spring trip boosted the Clarion University baseball team to a convincing 5-1 victory over the University of Findlay on Friday morning.
 
The Golden Eagles ended their day with a 9-3 come from behind loss to the College of Saint Rose, in a game that the Blue and Gold led all most all afternoon.
 
After today's action Clarion's record sits at 6-6 overall.
 
Game 1
Findlay put up one run in the top of the first inning off of a Tyler Burley single to left field, but Clarion starter Nate Torbich would prove solid the rest of the game.
 
After Ben Barth reached safely on a bunt,  Cole Shaffer singled to left, Chandler Palyas legged out a bunt and Will Constantin reached base on a fielder's choice, the Blue and Gold knotted things up in the bottom of the second inning when Nick Fugh was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Shaffer. Clarion would take the lead for good on a passed ball that allowed Palyas to score from third base, never looking back from that point on.

and Alex Ficorilli double to left field, Bryce Jackson added to that lead in the bottom of the fifth inning roping a double to center field, driving in Ficorilli.
Clarion would add two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to make the score 5-1. Thomas Lavin started the inning with a single to center field, followed by a Shaffer HBP and a Palyas walk. A critical one-out error by Findlay unfastened the Oilers defense, as Danny Fox who batted for Constantin in a pinch hit roll would reach base on a throwing error from the Findlay third baseman, allowing Shaffer and Lavin to come around and touch the plate.

Torbich was credited with the win after tossing 7.0 innings of one run baseball, punching out two Findlay batters and allowing no walks, saying after the game, "My off-speed stuff was really working all morning, I knew I wasn't going to blow it by anyone, but I had great command of my off-speed stuff today."
 
Freshman Bryce Grenet came in to relieve Torbich, throwing two innings of no hit baseball to shut the door on the Oilers.

Game 2
The Golden Eagles picked up in the second game much like they ended the first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead from the Golden Knights. Barth got the game started singling to right field, followed by a Ficorilli single. After a passed ball allowed both runners to advance into scoring position, a Jackson and Fugh groundouts would plate both runners.

Clarion would add one more run in the bottom of the fourth when Fox, who got the start in the DH spot, reached base on a fielder's choice, allowing Austin Blauser to score.
Saint Rose would chip away at the lead in the top of the sixth inning after two walks and two singles help get the offense going for the Golden Knights. They would tie the ballgame at three after an error allowed to Knights to cross the plate. Saint Rose took the lead for good in the top of the seventh inning off of a Fils-Aime single through the left side scored two.

The Golden Knights added three more runs in the inning making the score 8-3. Saint Rose took the wind out of the Clarion sails for good in the top of the eighth inning adding one more insurance run making the game it's final score 9-3.
The Golden Eagles would go 1-2-3 in the next two innings ended the ballgame. Despite not picking up the victory, Ficorilli, Shaffer, Palyas, Fox and Barth all picked up hits on the afternoon. Pacing the Clarion offense was Barth who went 3 for 4 for the ballgame.
 
Sophomore Kyle Thompson was tagged for the loss, after pitching 6.1 innings, four of which were hitless, striking out three and walking three. Patrick McGinley closed the game out, tossing 2.0 innings striking out one and allowing just two hits.
 
Clarion will be back in action tomorrow, when the take on Pace University at 10 am and then New Haven in the night cap at 6 pm.