CLARION, Pa. - Returning home for the first two games of a four game series, the Clarion University baseball team split an afternoon double-header against the Cal U Vulcans on Friday, winning game one 4-1 and losing game two 6-3. The win and loss moves the Golden Eagles to 5-16 on the year and 3-9 in the PSAC West. The Blue and Gold return to action on Saturday, April 24 when they head to Cal U for a double-header to conclude the PSAC West matchup.
The long ball was the story of the afternoon for the Golden Eagles as they belted four homers in two games. Thomas Lavin was the cog that made the gears move in both games, launching a three run shot in game one and a solo homer in game two.
Cal U grabbed the early lead in game one, managing to manufacture one run in the top of the second inning to take the 1-0 advantage.
Clarion remained behind until the bottom of the third when Lavin's bat came alive at the right time for the blue and gold.
After Tyler Meachum singled to right field to lead off the inning, a Matt Privette grounder advanced Meachum to second putting a runner in scoring position for Alex Ficorilli. Ficorilli singled to right field putting runners on the corners for Clarion with Lavin coming to the dish.
After an off speed first pitch, Lavin picked the right pitch from Riggle and sent his fifth homer of the year deep over the left center field fence plating three runs on one swing of the bat, giving Clarion the 3-1 advantage.
Stranding three runners in the next two innings, the Vulcans were unable to generate any offense as Clarion held the two run advantage heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.
The score wouldn't stay stagnant for long though, as Nick Fugh joined the bomb barrage and sent a homer of his own over the center field fence giving Clarion a comfortable 4-1 lead and ultimately the victory.
Logan Schlegel picked up his second career victory, tossing 5.0 complete innings allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out two Vulcan hitters.
Jeremy Frazier picked up his first save of the season, pitching 2.0 innings of one hit scoreless baseball, closing the door on the Vulcan attack.
Lavin paced the Clarion bats in game one going 2 for 3 in the game adding three RBIs. Fugh added the other run for Clarion as he also went 2 for 3 in the game.
Game two was no different than game one as the Golden Eagles relied on the deep ball to put runs across the plate.
Cal U grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to three hits and one error that allowed the Vulcans to get the run train on the tracks.
Heading into the top of the third with the score stuck at 3-0 Cal U added one more run pushing their lead to 4-0 after Patrick Brogan singled through the right side of the infield scoring Justin Stewart who walked to start the inning.
Looking to put the game out of reach the Vulcans plated one more run in the top of the fourth inning when Nick Serafino scored on an error after reaching safely with a triple in the opening two batters of the game.
Clarion wouldn't roll over and go quietly though as they managed to string together an impressive offensive attack of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ficorilli led the inning off with a homerun down the left field line that bounced off the foul pole to help Clarion pull back within four with the score 5-1.
Vulcan pitcher, Dylan Brosky wouldn't have time to regroup and breathe though as he left a belt high fast ball over the plate to the number three hitter Lavin who sent his six homer of the year, second of the series, over the left center field fence, giving Clarion momentum with the score now 5-2.
Cal U added a homer of their own in the top of the seventh pushing their lead to 6-2, but Clarion would answer with one run in the bottom half of the frame making it 6-3, but would get no closer.
After Nate Petke reached on an error and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Vulcan catcher, Privette singled to right center field plating the last Golden Eagle run.
Dereck Pritchard got the nod for Clarion in game two, tossing 4.0 innings allowing five runs on five hits, while striking out five Cal U batters.
