DUBOIS, Pa. — Golden Eagles baseball (9-11, 3-2 PSAC) faced Gannon (7-15, 2-4 PSAC) in a thrilling doubleheader on Saturday at Stern Family Field, with the Golden Eagles experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. In the first game, Clarion came up short against Gannon, falling 10–7, but showcased their resilience in bouncing back for a 7-6 extra innings victory in the nightcap.
Game 1: Gannon 10, Clarion 7
Gannon started strong in Game 1, putting up seven runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Ian Soto that brought home Matt Smith and Hunter Troiano, establishing a commanding 7–0 lead. The Golden Eagles responded with
Tyson Gill's double down the left field line and a two-run homer from
Randy Carlo, trimming the deficit to 7–2 after one inning.
In the second inning, Gannon extended their lead with Connor Smith's three-run blast to left-center, making it 10–2. Clarion couldn't add to their score in the bottom of the inning, leaving the score at 10–2 through two innings.
However, the Golden Eagles rallied in the third, scoring three runs. Zach Colangelo walked and was driven in by Carlo's second two-run homer of the game.
Ethan Giangiulio crossed home on
Derek Smail's single up the middle, closing the gap to 10–5. Clarion added two more in the sixth when
Derek Smail and
Jacob Patterson set the stage with a single and double, respectively, before
Tyler Boraski's double brought both home, narrowing the score to 10–7.
Despite their efforts, Gannon held on for the 10–7 victory.
Will Dean delivered a strong relief performance, tossing six scoreless innings with just three hits allowed and four strikeouts. Carlo was impressive with two home runs, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Boraski contributed a two-RBI double, while Gill reached base twice, scored once, and stole a base. Smail tallied two hits, including an RBI single, and scored a run.
Game 2: Clarion 7, Gannon 6 (8 inn.)
In the second game, the Golden Eagles managed to squeak past Gannon with a narrow 7-6 victory, thanks to a potent offense that produced six doubles.
Randy Carlo set the tone early, doubling down the left field line in the first inning to bring home Zach Colangelo, giving Clarion a 1-0 lead. Gannon quickly responded in the second, scoring two runs, one unearned due to a fielding error, to take a 2-1 lead.
In the third inning, Gannon's Hunter Troiano homered, extending their lead to 3-1. Clarion answered back as
Jon Fijalkowski doubled and scored on a Colangelo sacrifice fly, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Gannon added two more runs in the fourth inning thanks to a Matt Smith double, but Clarion matched them with two runs of their own.
Jacob Patterson reached on an error and scored on an
Elvin Robles double, followed by a double from
Derek Smail that brought Robles across the plate, keeping Clarion in the game at 5-4 after four innings.
The fifth inning saw Clarion's bats come alive, with Colangelo doubling and then scoring on a Carlo single.
Ethan Giangiulio followed with a double that scored Carlo, pushing Clarion ahead 6-5. Gannon tied it in the sixth with an unearned run, making it 6-6.
The Golden Eagles broke the deadlock in the eighth.
Tyson Gill walked, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on Giangiulio's clutch RBI single, sealing a 7-6 victory for Clarion.
Aiden Hartle pitched five innings, giving up five hits, four earned runs, with four strikeouts and two walks.
Colin Miller stepped in for relief, pitching three innings, allowing three hits and one run, while striking out two.
Colangelo made a significant impact in Game 2 with two runs, two hits including a double, and an RBI. Carlo added two RBIs, two hits, and a run.. Robles contributed a double, an RBI, and a run, while Gill was on fire with two hits, a walk, a run, and a stolen base.
