For the second time in a few weeks, Clarion’s game was moved due to the poor weather conditions.

Their doubleheader last Friday was cancelled against California University of Pennsylvania, scheduled to be played in Washington, Pa.

They played the games on Saturday at DiVirgilio Complex in Belle Vernon, Pa.

The Golden Eagles did not have much luck as they dropped both games 8-3 and 5-2 respectively.

“The doubleheaders do take a toll on our pitching staff but it gives our younger pitchers a chance to get some action before they step into our places next year,” said sophomore pitcher Brandon Slater.

In game one, Clarion jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second. After a Sean Zimmerman single and a walk by Erik Kempton, freshmen outfielder Spencer White doubled them both in.

Freshmen pitcher Kevin Gnacinski was cruising along until the third inning, where he ran into some trouble.

Gnacinski let one slip away as he let up a two run home run to Troy Handza, to tie the game at 2-2.

Clarion came right back in the fourth and retook the lead. Zimmerman got things going again with a one out double followed by a single by sophomore Ken Morgan. With runners on the corners, Kempton singled home Zimmerman for a 3-2 lead.

With the lead in tack, Gnacinski fell apart in the bottom of the fourth inning, allowing five runs on four hits, and one error, giving California a 7-3 lead.

They never looked back from there. Cal added one more run to win the first game of the doubleheader 8-3.

Gnacinski (1-2) took the loss for the Golden Eagles going 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on right hits, with one walk and one strikeout.

Leading the offense for the Golden Eagles were Zimmerman and Kempton with two hits a piece, and Spencer White with two RBI’s.

Clarion was looking for their second win of the season and a split with Cal U in the second game of the doubleheader.

Slater and Cal U’s Nick Schrieber were in a pitcher’s duel through the first three innings.
Cal U was the first team to get on the board as they plated two runs on no hits in the bottom of the third.

California added another run in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 3-0. The Golden Eagles were not able to get anything started as they only had one hit up to this point.

Clarion finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth.

Sophomore shortstop Tom Briley led off the inning with a single. One batter later he was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Nate Weiss. Briley was then able to score on an error by the Vulcans.

In their final at bat, Clarion plated another run on an RBI single by Weiss, scoring Chad White. It was a little too late as the Golden Eagles fell to the Vulcan’s, 5-2.

Slater (0-2) took the loss even though he pitched a great game.

He was not able to get any offensive support.

Slater pitched five innings allowed four runs (two earned runs) on four hits. He also recorded three walks and three strikeouts.

“We have a young, high spirited team that just loves to play the game,” said Slater. “I have seen a lot of good coming out of our young pitching staff, especially in Luke P. who has stepped into the role of set-up man.”

Briley led the offense as the only one getting two hits, while Weiss was the only one with an RBI.
“Well we have not seen much live pitching up until now. I feel like we’re just a little slow with our bats. However we have been hitting the ball better as of lately and I think we will continue putting up runs,” said Briley.

Last night the Clarion baseball team was swept in its home-opening PSAC-West doubleheader by California Univeristy, losing by scores of 6-0 and 13-6.

The losses drop Clarion’s record to 1-13 overall and 0-8 in the PSAC-West.

The Golden Eagles baseball team will host Gannon University at 1 p.m. Friday in a PSAC-West doubleheader.