Clarion U. Baseball Splits with Pitt-Johnstown

Chris Rossetti

Chris Rossetti

Published May 4, 2019 4:17 am
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46429101005_7cd295041e_oBUTLER, Pa. – Honoring their six seniors Friday at Pullman Park in Butler, the Clarion baseball team split a doubleheader against Pitt-Johnstown, winning game one by a final score of 4-1 and dropping game two by a final score of 4-1.

(Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)

Clarion (18-28, 8-18 PSAC) will conclude their season tomorrow when they head to Johnstown for the backend of a four-game series. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. at Point Stadium in Johnstown.

Game 1

Pitt-Johnstown broke a 0-0 tie in the third inning, plating one run to take a 1-0 lead midway through the game.

Plating one run in the bottom of the fourth, Clarion did not go away quietly. After Nick Fugh walked and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, senior Dan Janoson reached on an error that allowed Fugh to score.

Clarion would hold the Mountain Cats off of the board the rest of the game, taking the lead and never looking back in the bottom of the sixth.

A Fugh single and a Ben Barth single put runners on second and third after a throwing error from the UPJ center fielder allowed both runners to advance. Dan Fox cleared the bases in the very next at bat when he tripled to center giving Clarion the 3-1 advantage.

Senior catcher Austin Blauser added one more run for good measures when he reached base on a throwing error to allow one more run to score making the score 4-1.

Clarion starter Kyler Mellott would pitch a complete game, tossing 7.0 innings of four-hit baseball, while striking out four Mountain Cat hitters.
Fox paced the offense driving in two runs, smacking a triple to deep center to give Clarion the lead.

Game 2

Pitt-Johnstown jumped on the Clarion pitching staff early in game one as they racked up three runs on three hits and one error to start the first inning. Heading into the top of the third inning with all the momentum the Mountain Cats plated one more run off of a bases-loaded walk to extend their lead to a comfortable 4-0.

Senior reliever Patrick McGinely tossed possibly his best game ever in a Blue and Gold uniform. McGinley shut the Mountain Cats down, turning in 4.0 innings of hitless baseball, striking out five and walking none.

The Golden Eagles would try to claw their way back in the bottom of the sixth but were unable to score more than one run. After a Fugh walk, he stole second base and came around to score on a Chandler Palyas double making the score 4-1.

Clarion would threaten in the bottom of the seventh after a Fox walk and an Alex Ficorilli double but a pop fly to the shortstop would end the game giving the Mountain Cats the 4-1 victory.

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