NUTTER FORT, W.Va. — The Golden Eagles (2-1) faced a tough challenge on Friday, falling 19-5 to Salem (4-3) at Frank Loria Memorial Field. Despite the setback, Clarion showcased some offensive highlights with 12 hits and a home run.
Salem jumped out early, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a pair of RBI singles. They widened the gap in the second, scoring three more runs, two of which were unearned due to a throwing miscue. Cody Thomas reached on an error, plating two, and Aaron Forbes singled to bring in another. By the end of two, the Tigers were ahead 5-0.
Clarion broke through in the third when Zach Colangelo tripled and was brought home by an
Ethan Giangiulio RBI single. However, Salem answered back with two unearned runs, stretching their lead to 7-1 after three innings.
The Golden Eagles fought back in the fifth, narrowing the margin with a pair of runs.
Tyson Gill walked and scored on Giangiulio's double, while
Randy Carlo crossed the plate on
Cesar Lopez's groundout, making it 9-3.
The eighth inning saw Salem pull away with a nine-run explosion, including a grand slam by Reese Rinna. Clarion couldn't counter, leaving the score at 19-3.
In the final inning, Clarion added a couple more runs.
Robert McCullough doubled, and
Brayden Foster followed with a two-run blast. The game wrapped up with Salem taking the win, 19-5.
Zach Kelly started on the mound for Clarion, throwing 2 innings and giving up 5 runs, only 2 of which were earned, on 4 hits. He also struck out 3.
Jalen Sami delivered 3 solid innings of relief, yielding just 1 unearned run on 2 hits with 4 strikeouts.
Joseph Campoli,
Christian Forgacs, and
Brandin Anderson handled the final frames, with Anderson retiring both batters he faced and logging a strikeout.
Brayden Foster made his mark with a home run and two RBIs.
Ethan Giangiulio shone with two hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Zach Colangelo kept his streak going with two hits, featuring a triple and a run scored. McCullough contributed with a double and a run as well.
