Asher Corl connected for a three-run homerun and drove in five in Pitt-Johnstown's 13-2 win over Clarion in Saturday's first game of a PSAC Western Division doubleheader at Sargent's Stadium at the Point. The Golden Eagles came back with a 9-8 victory in nine innings in the nightcap to earn the split. The Mountain Cats took three-of-four in the series against Clarion and are now 7-5 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC West.
In the opener, Pitt-Johnstown jumped out to a 3-0 lead then broke it open with five runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings on its way to the 13-2 win.
The Mountain Cats scored three in the second.
Tyler Smith scored on
Lennox Pugh's ground out, and Corl's sacrifice fly plated
Tyler Treese.
Colin Pasone reached on a bunt base hit, stole second and came around to score on
Owen McKeever's base hit through the right side.
The Mountain Cats pushed it out to 8-0 with five runs in the top of the fifth, before Clarion scored a pair in the bottom of the frame on Alex Ficorilli's two-run single to left.
However, Pitt-Johnstown tacked on five more runs in the sixth to break it open.
Dylan Broderick tripled home
Jake Ansell and Smith's base hits chased Broderick home. Following a walk to Treese, Corl belted a three-run homer over the left field screen to set the final at 13-2.
Broderick went 3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and two runs, while Smith added two hits, and RBI and a run for the Mountain Cats. Pitt-Johnstown also got a single and a double from Pasone, and five RBI from Corl, including the three-run homer.
Brady Walker picked-up his first win of the season and improved to 1-0 after tossing four hitless innings and striking out four.
Giovanni Scott pitched the final three innings and gave up two runs on five hits.
In game two, Clarion rallied to tie it with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, before walking off with the 9-8 victory with a run in the bottom of the ninth.
Alex Glumax doubled home
Matt Reese, Ansell followed with an RBI single, and Smith's sacrifice fly plated Ansell to give Pitt-Johnstown a 3-0 third inning lead.
Clarion came back with four in the bottom of the frame, but the Mountain Cats pushed the lead out to 8-5 going into the bottom of the seventh.
The Golden Eagles battled back to tie it at eight on with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, before Ficorilli's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth scored Matt Privette to give Clarion the 9-8, walk-off win.
Glumac was 4-for-5 with a double and two RBI, and Ansel singled, doubled and drove in three for the Mountain Cats. Reese had two hits and an RBI, and
Josh Reynolds and Broderick each had two hits.
Christian Pfrogner took the loss in relief after giving up the run in the ninth.
Wil Fetrow started and allowed four runs on seven hits in the first three innings.
With the split, the Golden Eagles are now 3-10 overall and 1-3 in the PSAC West.
The Mountain Cats travel to nationally-ranked Mercyhurst on Friday, before hosting the Lakers to close out the four-game home-and-home PSAC West series on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Sargent's Stadium at the Point.
