CLARION, Pa. — The Golden Eagles kept their postseason hopes alive with a doubleheader sweep over Edinboro on Saturday, securing a 3–1 victory in the first game and a commanding 13–5 five-inning win in the second.
Entering the final day of action, Clarion sits one game behind Gannon for the final playoff spot in the PSAC West. The Golden Eagles will close the regular season tomorrow against Slippery Rock while Gannon will face Edinboro.
Game 1: Clarion 3, Edinboro 1
In the first game, Clarion was bolstered by a decisive sixth inning where they scored all three of their runs, leapfrogging the Fighting Scots for the win. Edinboro initially took the lead in the third inning with an RBI single by Sissem, bringing home Olejniczak.
However, the Golden Eagles turned the game around in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophie Petrash led off with a single, followed by
Alexis Valencia's single through the left side.
Emily Buchleitner contributed with a bunt single, loading the bases, setting up
Delanie Davison to draw a bases-loaded walk, scoring Petrash and leveling the game.
The Golden Eagles continued the momentum with
Jordy Best delivering a crucial two-RBI single, driving in Valencia and Buchleitner to secure the lead. This decisive sequence established a 3–1 advantage, which the home team preserved in the final inning. The Golden Eagles' defense held firm, preventing the Fighting Scots from mounting a comeback.
Emma Hipps retired the Fighting Scots in order in the top of the seventh, ensuring a Clarion victory. Hipps delivered a complete game performance, pitching 7.0 innings while allowing one earned run on six hits. She struck out four batters and issued two walks over the course of her 102-pitch outing, with 65 pitches recorded as strikes.
Game 2: Clarion 13, Edinboro 5 (5 inn.)
In the second game, Clarion won a dominant 13–5 victory, powered by 15 hits, including three doubles and a home run, while Edinboro committed five errors. Edinboro took an early lead in the first inning with a two-RBI single from Addy Maguire, but Clarion quickly responded with a four-run rally.
Emily Buchleitner's reach on an error set the stage for the Golden Eagles' offense.
Delanie Davison's RBI double and a key single by
Jordy Best contributed to the surge, aided by defensive errors from Edinboro.
Clarion cemented its control in the second inning, scoring six runs.
Amber Gilliam's inside-the-park home run to deep right field was the highlight, bringing home three runs and extending the Golden Eagles' lead. Contributions from Davison and
Sami Springman, both delivering RBI hits, maintained the offensive pressure.
Despite Edinboro's attempt to close the gap with a run in the fifth inning, the Golden Eagles' offense, highlighted by Springman's RBI single, kept the momentum in their favor.
Ainsley Perdicaris started in the circle for the Golden Eagles, delivering 2.0 innings while allowing three earned runs on five hits.
Rian Reed took over in relief, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up just one earned run on one hit. Reed managed 51 pitches, half of which were strikes, and secured the save.
