ANDERSON, S.C. - The Golden Eagle baseball team opened up their 2022 season with a pair of hard-fought losses, falling by 6-2 and 6-3 scores in doubleheader action against Anderson University on Friday afternoon. Clarion (0-2) pitched well in both contests, but the Trojans were able to score early runs in both games to take both ends of the doubleheader.
Game 1 - Anderson 6, Clarion 2
Recap: Anderson jumped out to an early 3-0 in the bottom of the first, but Clarion managed to pick up one run in the second frame, as
Daren Byers singled to right field scoring
Caden Contant to pull back within two runs. The Trojans struck for three more runs in the fourth inning before Clarion was able to plate another score.
Kasey Shughart singled to right field scoring
Tim Irons making the score 6-2.
The Golden Eagles had chances to make the game close, but couldn't push anymore runners across the plate, stranding seven baserunners.
Logan Schlegel got the nod on the bump for head coach
Doc Neiman, tossing four complete innings, allowing seven hits, while striking out four Trojan batters.
Shughart swung the hot bat for Clarion, going 2 for 4 at the plate with one RBI.
Game 2 - Anderson 6, Clarion 3
Recap: Starter
Bryan Layton allowed five runs - four earned - in his season debut, tossing 4.2 innings for the Blue and Gold. The highlight of the afternoon, showing great command all afternoon, Layton struck out a career high 10 batters, while allowing just one walk and seven hits.
Clarion picked up two runs in the top of the second, as the game was tied heading into the bottom of teh fourth, but Anderson plated one run in the fourth inning, two in the fifth and one in the sixth, stretching their lead to 6-2. Clarion managed to score one more run in the top of the seventh after
Scott McManamon doubled and advanced to third on a throwing error that allowed
Tyler Meachum to score all the way from first base.
The Blue and Gold finished the game with 13 total strikeouts as relief pitcher
Sam Rice added three k's in 1.1 innings of action.
McManamon went 2 for 3 in game two, knocking in one run, while
Mason Kepler and Same Economy each went 1 for 3 with one RBI.
