JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Clarion baseball team traveled to UPJ's Point Stadium to take on the Mountain Cats for games one and two of a four game weekend, splitting the doubleheader, dropping the early game by a score of 8-2 and picking up a win in the nightcap by a score of 3-2. Clarion (5-16) will close out the series against Pitt-Johnstown tomorrow in Butler, Pa. at Historic Pullman Park. First pitch is slated for 3 pm.
Game 1: Pitt-Johnstown 8, Clarion 2
Recap: The Golden Eagles struck first holding a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fourth inning before the hosting Mountain Cats could find traction on offense and get their bats rolling. Clarion took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after a
Mason Kepler homerun over the towering left field wall of the Point gave the Blue and Gold he early advantage.
The Mountain Cats held Clarion in check, not allowing anymore runs to cross the plate as their bats exploded in the bottom of the fourth for six runs. UPJ used five hits and two Clarion errors to regain the lead at 6-1. Clarion scored one run in the top of the sixth to pull back within striking distance after a Dan Fox triple to right center field allowed
Daren Byers to score who singled just one batter before.
The Mountain Cats answered with a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs on three hits all singles that reached the Clarion outfield as the lead stretched to 8-2.
Bryce Grenet got the start on the mound for Clarion, tossing 3.2 innings allowing six runs on five hits, while striking out four Mountain Cat batters.
Sam Rice came in in relief, throwing 2.1 innings of action striking out two.
Kepler paced the Clarion offense going 2 for 3 at the plate with a solo homer.
Game 2: Clarion 3, Pitt-Johnstown 2
Recap: Unlike game one, it was UPJ that drew first blood, striking for one run in the bottom of the first to take the early 1-0 lead. Clarion buckled down and battled back though, scoring runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Clarion tied the game in the top of the fourth inning 1-1 after
Lenny Piccini started things with a walk.
Matt Privette followed that up with a double to left field that put two runners in scoring position for Clarion and after a wild pitch, Piccini scored and Privette moved over to third. A ground ball ended the inning, but the miscue by the UPJ pitching staff allowed Clarion to use their momentum the rest of the way.
With the game tied 1-1 Clarion took the lead for the first time in the top of the fifth inning, using three hits to cycle runners around the base paths as they regained the lead 2-1.
Kasey Shughart led the inning off with a single to right field and advanced to second on a failed pick off attempt. Shughart came around to score after a
Caden Contant single with the Blue and Gold road warriors finding their bearings in the late innings.
Privette started the sixth inning with a single to right field, stole second base and advanced to third on a ground ball, putting a huge insurance run for Clarion just 90 feet away.
Shughart came to the plate with two outs and proved clutch, sending a missile down the left field line to score Privette with ease, making hte score 3-1.
UPJ threatened the Clarion lead in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring one run on one hit, but
Joe Rossi slammed the door on any comeback chance for the Mountain Cats.
Trevor McGee got the nod on the hill, picking up his first win of the year, tossing 5.1 innings, allowing just one run on five hits, striking out five batters.
