BUTLER, Pa. --- The Golden Eagle baseball team hosted their first home games of the 2024 season, kicking off the home slate at Pullman Park with a doubleheader against the Lake Erie Storm. The Storm fought through the early spring elements, defeating Clarion in both games by scores of 2-1 and 5-3, respectively.
 
Game 1- Lake Erie 2, Clarion 1 
 
The Storm took an early advantage in the top of the first, when Mannuk Cadiz hit a two-run double to right field. Both teams' pitchers settled into a nice groove after that point, with Clarion starter Reilly Shafer going six strong innings and striking out eight batters in the process.
 
In the top of the seventh, Lake Erie was in a prime position to extend their lead with runners on the corners and no outs. Clarion reliever Bobby Curry – who entered the game midway through the inning – made a keen defensive play to get out of the jam, picking off Zimba Cadiz on his attempt at home plate. Curry followed with two quick outs to keep the Golden Eagles within striking distance.
 
The Golden Eagle bats were quiet for most of the game, with only one hit through the first six innings. Their second hit of the game was a big one, though. Lake Erie led 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Scotty McManamon halved their advantage with a one-out solo home run, belting his second bomb of the year over the right-center field fence.
 
Ethan Giangiulio also picked up a hit, going 1-for-3 with a single. Shafer allowed just the two runs in the first inning, allowing just three hits the rest of the way.
 
 
Game 2- Lake Erie 5, Clarion 3 
 
The second game started much like the first, with Lake Erie jumping ahead 3-0 with a big first inning. Clarion committed two errors in the first inning to exacerbate the issue as the Storm put up a trio of runs in the opening frame.
 
It did not take long for the Golden Eagles to respond, adding a run in the second after Lenny Piccini got into scoring position on a wild pitch. Kasey Shughart sent a bloop single that got lost in the cloudy afternoon sky into right field for a double, scoring Piccini on the play.
 
Clarion continued to claw their way back into the game in the bottom half of the fourth, taking advantage of a couple of Lake Erie errors. Jacob Patterson dribbled a ball to the shortstop, who misplayed what would have been a routine grounder, and Caden Contant scored from third. T
 
The Storm added two runs in the subsequent inning, bringing the lead to 5-2. Clarion continued to fight hard as Tyson Gill and McManamon, who had three hits in the game, started the bottom of the seventh off with a couple of singles to put pressure on Lake Erie. Daren Byers walked to load the bases for Contant, who grounded out to second base to bring Gill across. A Will Martinez strikeout ended the game and closed out the doubleheader. 
 
Martinez and Shughart both recorded a pair of hits. Ryan Gallagher threw 4.2 innings, striking out five.
 
The Golden Eagles baseball team returns to the diamond tomorrow as they will close out their series against Lake Erie starting at noon.
 
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