ERIE, Pa. — The Golden Eagles baseball team (10-12, 4-3 PSAC) faced off against Gannon in a doubleheader on Sunday, splitting the two games with a 10-9 victory in the first and a narrow 4-3 loss in the second.
Game 1: Clarion 1, Gannon 9
Clarion pulled off a nail-biter over the Golden Knights in the first, breaking the game open with two explosive innings, racking up five runs each in the third and fourth. The Golden Knights jumped out to a quick start, thanks to Wes Parker's three-run homer in the first inning that put them up 3-0.
However, Clarion had an answer in the third.
Jon Fijalkowski's single and
Tyson Gill's double set the scene for a rally. Zach Colangelo's sacrifice fly, along with
Elvin Robles' clutch two-RBI double, fueled a five-run inning to push the Golden Eagles ahead 5-3. The momentum continued in the fourth as
Randy Carlo drew an RBI walk, and
Ethan Giangiulio's two-RBI double were crucial as Clarion widened their lead to 10-3.
Gannon fought back with four runs, featuring a solo shot by Connor Smith, tightening the score to 10-7. In the sixth, Gannon crept closer with Ian Soto scoring on Wes Parker's double, inching to 10-8. The Golden Knights added another in the seventh when Cainen Atherton scored on a ground out, but the Golden Eagles held firm, clinching the victory with a final score of 10-9.
On the mound,
Luke Pietrandrea started for Clarion, going 3.1 innings and giving up six earned runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking one.
Zach Kelly closed it out, pitching two innings and giving up two runs on three hits, with one walk and a hit batter, locking down the save.
Tyson Gill was a standout with four hits, including a double, and scored twice.
Randy Carlo chipped in with two hits, two RBIs, and two runs.
Ethan Giangiulio added two hits, one a double, and two RBIs.
Elvin Robles came up big with three RBIs, including a double.
Game 2: Gannon 4, Clarion 3
Clarion set the pace early, scoring two runs in the third inning and tacking on another in the seventh, but a four-run surge by Gannon in the final inning turned the tide.
The Golden Eagles got things rolling in the third with
Jon Fijalkowski singling up the middle, advancing to second on
Tyson Gill's hit to right. Zach Colangelo's single to left brought Fijalkowski home, and
Randy Carlo's single to right field drove in Gill, putting Clarion up 2–0. In the seventh, Clarion extended their lead when
Tyler Boraski singled and later crossed the plate on Carlo's sacrifice fly, making it 3–0.
However, Gannon responded in the bottom of the seventh with a rally. Connor Smith singled and advanced on a walk and a hit-by-pitch, setting the stage. A fielding error let Smith score, followed by Hunter Troiano's single that drove in two more. Nick Walker's hit to right added another, putting Gannon ahead 4–3. With that, Gannon held on for the win.
Braden Fetherolf was solid on the mound for the Golden Eagles, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits, with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks, keeping Gannon scoreless through six innings. Carlo led the Golden Eagles' offense with three hits and two RBIs. Gill added a hit, scored a run, and reached base twice more on a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Colangelo chipped in with a hit, an RBI, and a walk.
