WILSON, N.C. — The Golden Eagles had a mixed bag of results on Friday, showcasing their offensive prowess in a commanding 16-1 win over Chestnut Hill (2-4) but falling just short in a tight 8-7 loss to Mansfield.
Game 1: Clarion 16, Chestnut Hill 1
The Golden Eagles (5-5) soared to victory, racking up 16 hits, including three home runs. The action kicked off in the first inning when
Tyson Gill singled to right and swiped second base. Zach Colangelo stepped up with an RBI single to bring Gill home. Colangelo later crossed the plate on a double play, putting the Golden Eagles up 2-0 early.
In the third inning, Gill singled again and advanced to third on a passed ball.
Jacob Patterson came through with a two-RBI single to center, driving in Gill and Colangelo to stretch the lead to 4-0. The fourth inning saw the Golden Eagles continue their offensive charge.
Cesar Lopez and
Ethan McNally singled, setting up Gill for a three-run homer to left field, making it 7-1 after Chestnut Hill managed their lone run of the game.
In the sixth, Lopez doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Colangelo, extending the lead to 8-1. The seventh inning featured Patterson's solo homer. With the bases loaded, a combination of walks and a hit-by-pitch pushed in more runs, while
Randy Carlo's single added two more, as Clarion widened the gap to 14-1. The Golden Eagles tacked on two more in the eighth when
Wyatt Fether singled and scored on a two-run shot by Fijalkowski, finalizing the score at 16-1.
Zach Kelly was a force on the mound for the Golden Eagles, pitching 7 innings while giving up just 2 hits and fanning 8 batters. He allowed 1 earned run and issued 3 walks.
Evan Theoharis shone in relief, pitching 2 flawless innings, striking out 3, and keeping the Griffins scoreless.
Tyson Gill led the charge with four runs and three hits, including a home run that brought in four RBIs and a stolen base. Colangelo chipped in with two hits, three RBIs, and two runs. Fijalkowski made a splash off the bench with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
Game 2: Mansfield 8, Clarion 7
In contrast, the Golden Eagles couldn't maintain their momentum in Wilson, falling just short against Mansfield. Clarion jumped out to an early lead, sparked by a three-run third inning but Mansfield's powerful seven-run fifth inning turned the tide. Clarion got off to a quick start in the first inning.
Tyson Gill singled and advanced on a third-base error, scoring shortly after on a wild pitch.
Ethan Giangiulio added to the tally with a left-field homer, putting Clarion up 2-0.
The third inning saw Clarion extend their lead. Zach Colangelo singled and scored on a wild pitch, while
Randy Carlo and
Jacob Patterson also crossed home plate, with Patterson driven in by
Elvin Robles' RBI. Clarion was comfortably ahead 5-0 after three. Mansfield countered in the fifth with a big inning, posting seven runs. Highlights included Brinden Floyd's two-run double and Billy Riggs' matching effort that brought in two more. By the inning's end, Mansfield had taken a 7-5 lead.
The Golden Eagles fought back in the seventh. Colangelo walked and advanced to third on a Carlo single. Giangiulio then drove in Colangelo, and Patterson followed up with an RBI single, scoring Carlo and tying it up at 7-7. However, Mansfield edged ahead in the eighth when Michael Palmer scored off a single, pulling ahead 8-7. Clarion couldn't find a late rally, and Mansfield sealed the win.
On the mound,
Luke Pietrandrea started for the Golden Eagles, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing five runs on five hits, with two strikeouts and one walk.
Carter Barrett took over in relief, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up two runs on three hits, both doubles.
Logan Hinds then pitched 3 innings, yielding one run on three hits, with no walks or strikeouts, while inducing seven groundouts.
Ryan Gallagher wrapped up the game with a scoreless ninth, allowing no hits and one walk. Giangiulio had a standout game with two hits and two RBIs, including a home run. Colangelo's two runs were crucial, and Carlo added two hits and two runs, showcasing his knack for getting on base.
