NUTTER FORT, W.Va. — The Golden Eagles baseball team (2-3) faced a tough battle against Salem (6-3) in a doubleheader on Saturday at Frank Loria Memorial Stadium, falling 6-1 to the Tigers in the first game and 7-4 in the second game.
Game 1: Salem 6, Clarion 1
RECAP: The Golden Eagles faced a tough challenge, starting strong with a run in the first inning.
Tyson Gill drew a walk, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored thanks to
Randy Carlo's single. However, Salem quickly retaliated in their half of the inning as Cody Thomas launched a two-run homer, putting the Tigers ahead 2-1.
The fourth inning was pivotal, as the Tigers widened their lead. Brandon Hoftijzer came home on a sacrifice fly from Max Atkinson, following a throwing error that got him on base. Another tiger scored scored via McAlpine's single, and the inning wrapped up with Thomas driving in another run, making it 5-1. In the sixth, Chase Clemons extended Salem's lead with an inside-the-park home run, setting the score at 6-1, which held to the end.
Colin Miller (0-1) started on the mound for the Golden Eagles, pitching 3.1 innings while allowing two hits and three runs—two earned—along with two walks. He faced 15 batters, notching six fly outs and three ground outs.
Logan Hinds closed the game, pitching 2 1/3 innings, conceding five hits and one earned run, striking out one, and turning a double play.
Tyson Gill was solid with a hit, a run, and a walk.
Randy Carlo added to the offense with a hit and an RBI.
Ethan Giangiulio chipped in with a hit and a role in a double play. Pinch hitter
Tommy Smith also made his mark with a hit off the bench.
Game 2: Salem 7, Clarion 4
RECAP: Carlo wasted no time putting the Golden Eagles on the board, launching a solo homer in the first inning to give Clarion an early lead. It was Carlo's third long ball of the season and it briefly gave Clarion the lead. However, the Tigers quickly turned the tables, scoring five runs in their half of the inning, aided by a throwing error and a couple of doubles, putting them up 5-1. Clarion chipped away at the deficit in the fifth when Zach Colangelo singled to bring
Tyler Boraski home, making it 5-2. But the Tigers extended their lead with two more runs, wrapping up the inning at 7-2.
The Golden Eagles rallied in the seventh.
Jacob Patterson took one for the team with a hit-by-pitch, and Boraski followed with a single, setting up Colangelo, who doubled to clear the bases for two runs. Despite the effort, Clarion still trailed 7-4 after the inning. The score held steady through the final innings, with Salem securing the victory at 7-4.
Braden Fetherolf had a challenging start, allowing three hits and five runs (three earned) in just 2/3 of an inning.
Will Dean steadied the ship in relief, pitching 3 1/3 innings with just one hit and one walk, striking out one without giving up any runs.
Aiden Hartle pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out two.
Ryan Gallagher made a brief but effective appearance, inducing a ground ball double play in 2/3 of an inning without a hit or run allowed.
Colangelo led the offense with three RBIs and two hits, including a double. Carlo added a solo home run, and Boraski crossed the plate twice, contributing two hits and a walk.
