JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Closing out the opening weekend of conference play on the road, the Clarion baseball team took home a split decision Saturday afternoon, splitting games three and four of a four game series against Pitt-Johnstown by scores of 13-2 and 9-8. 

The win and loss moves the Golden Eagles to 3-10 overall on the season and 1-3 in PSAC West conference play. The Mountain Cats sit at 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC West. 

It was all UPJ in game one as they racked up 13 runs on 11 hits and three Golden Eagle errors, piling on 10 runs in the last three frames to give the Mountain Cats the decision. 

Clarion was held hitless by starter Brady Walker, but once Pitt-Johnstown went to their bullpen, the Golden Eagles went on the attack. Will Constantin led the bottom of the fifth off with a single to left center field and advanced into scoring position when Tim Irons singled to right field to put runners on first and second base. 

After a Kasey Shughert single to load the bases, Alex Ficorilli singled to left field, knocking in Constantin and Irons putting Clarion on the board making the score 13-2. 

Clarion threatened in the last two innings but were unable to put any runners in scoring position giving the Mountain Cats the victory 13-2. 

Ficorilli paced the Clarion attack in game one, going 1 for 2 in the game, adding a walk and driving in both runs. 

Game two started out much like game one finished with Pitt-Johnstown scoring runs efficiently and often as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. 

Like they have all season though, Clarion answered the call once again plating four runs and taking back the lead at 4-3. 

A clutch double from hot hitting Thomas Lavin scored Shughart who both reached safely a few at bat earlier making the score 3-1 and a double from Nick Fugh scored Lavin and Ficorilli tying the game at three a piece. 

Danny Fox gave Clarion the lead when he doubled to left field and scored Fugh from second base, momentarily giving the blue and gold the momentum, but UPJ answered right back. 

A double to left center field from Matt Reese and a single from Glumac scored two runs for UPJ as they took the lead back heading to the bottom of the fourth. 

Not going away without a fight, Clarion tied the game in the bottom half of the fourth after a Shughert sac fly scored Tyler Meachum who pinch ran for Christian Kubacka who walked to lead off the inning. 

 With the score deadlocked at 5-5 heading into the top of the sixth inning, it looked like UPJ blew the game open with three runs on three hits and one error taking an 8-5 lead but Clarion manufactured three runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh to take the game to extra innings and give the fans attending the game at Point Stadium free baseball. 

After Fox was hit by a pitch and Irons singled to left field, Daren Byers singled to center field but an errant fielding mistake from the Mountain Cat center fielder allowed Byers to make his way around the bases and clear the base path as all three runs would cross the plate tying the game at 8-8.

After a scoreless eighth inning it was Clarion who was able to manufacture the winning run. On the backs of three walks to load the bases, Ficorilli proved clutch at the plate once again, sending a shot down the right field line that was just deep enough to score Matt Privette from third base who pinch ran for Ethan Smith giving the Golden Eagles the 9-8 victory.

Ben Mongelluzzo picked up his first win of the season in relief, tossing 3.0 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just two hits while fanning two Mountain Cat batters. 

Clarion will look to add to the win column on Friday, April 2 when they host PSAC West powerhouse Seton Hill. First pitch is slated for 1 pm from Memorial Field.