SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The Clarion Golden Eagles (3-4) earned a split in North Carolina on Friday, suffering a 5-3 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas College in the first game before bouncing back with a 4-1 win over West Virginia Wesleyan later in the evening.
Game 1: St. Thomas Aquinas 5, Clarion 3
In the first game, despite racking up 12 hits, the Golden Eagles fell short against the Spartans, who capitalized on Clarion errors. The Golden Eagles started strong with
Tyson Gill's single to left field, leading to an RBI single from
Ethan Giangiulio that put Clarion ahead 1-0. However, St. Thomas Aquinas quickly retaliated, scoring two unearned runs to take a 2-1 lead after the first inning.
The fifth inning saw Gill double and score on a
Randy Carlo double, tying the game at 2-2. Unfortunately, the Spartans responded with two more unearned runs, extending their lead to 4-2. They added another run in the seventh, pushing the score to 5-2. In the eighth,
Chase Speiden doubled and scored on
Tommy Smith's sacrifice fly, narrowing the gap to 5-3. Despite a determined effort in the ninth, Clarion couldn't rally, sealing the game at 5-3 for the Spartans.
On the mound,
Zach Kelly pitched a solid 6.0 innings, allowing six hits and five runs (only one earned) while striking out seven and issuing no walks.
Will Dean delivered two scoreless innings in relief, striking out one and preventing further scoring.
Gill was a standout in the first game with three hits, two runs, a double, and a walk, while Carlo also had three hits, including a double, driving in a run.
Game 2: Clarion 4, West Virginia Wesleyan 1
In the second game, the Golden Eagles' pitchers shined, racking up 16 strikeouts and holding the Bobcats to just one run across nine innings. Both teams scored in the third inning when
Eduardo Zayas launched a solo homer to center field, leveling the score at 1-1.
Randy Carlo delivered big in the seventh with a double to center, bringing home
Tyson Gill and Zayas, which pushed Clarion ahead 3-1. The Golden Eagles continued to build their lead in the eighth when
Jon Fijalkowski walked, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on
Jacob Patterson's RBI single to center, stretching the lead to 4-1.
Luke Pietrandrea was dominant on the mound, tossing 6.2 innings with 12 strikeouts, allowing just one run on five hits. He effectively retired seven batters in clutch situations.
Carter Barrett took over in relief, sealing the save with four strikeouts and managing two hits and a walk.
Randy Carlo's two RBIs from his double were crucial, while
Eduardo Zayas's homer and two runs provided a critical spark. Pietrandrea's stellar performance, paired with Barrett's strong finish, secured the 4-1 victory for the Golden Eagles.
