DE Sports Claims Third Straight District 25 Big League Title (06/26/16)

DE Sports of Clarion won their third straight District 25 Big League Title, this weekend (Friday – Saturday, June 24th, 26th), taking the first two games of a best of three series with Venango County at Cranberry.

(Photo provided by DE Sports) First Row (L-R) Leo Aiello, Ryan Anthony, Sam Leadbetter, Cameron Craig, Reed Anthony. Second Row (L-R) Adrian Weber, Derek Lauer, Zayn Hargenrader, Zander Hargenrader, Sterling Conner. Back Row (L-R) Coaches – Lee Weber, Drew Vandermeer, J. Simpson, Andrew Waugaman

DE Sports won the opener on Friday by a 10-4 score and followed that win with an 8-4 victory on Saturday.

(Visitor) Venango County opened Friday’s game with two runs in the top of the first and added another in the top of the second. DE Sports tied the game, with three runs, in the bottom of the second. The Clarion squad took the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the third and then tacked on five in the fourth, to lead the contest 10-3. A Venango County run in the top; of the sixth set the 10-4 final.

Zayne Hargenrader led DE Sports with a home run, two singles, two RBIs and two runs scored.  Sterling Conner had a double and drove in a run. Adrian Weber had two hits, two RBIs and scored a run.

Leo Aiello had a double, a run scored and an RBI. Cameron Craig and Reed Anthony each had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Derek Lauer scored three runs.

DE Sports outhit Venango County 11-4.

Sam Leadbetter was the winning pitcher.

In the championship clinching 8-4 victory on Saturday, DE Sports outhit Venango Catholic 10-3.  DE Sports scored three runs each, in the top second and third innings, to take a 6-0 lead. Venango County scored two in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 6-2. Both teams crossed the plate once in the fourth and Venango County scored one in the fifth, with DE Sports answering with one in the sixth to set the 8-4 final.

Derek Lauer had a double, a single, two RBIs and a run scored. Cameron Craig had a double, two RBIs and also scored once. Sam Leadbetter doubled, singled and scored a run. Zayne Hargenrader had a hit,  an RBI and scored a run. Zander Hargenrader singled and scored once and Ryan Anthony had a hit and an RBI. Leo Aiello scored twice.

Leo Aiello was the winning pitcher.

DE Sports will make their third straight trip to States, which will be held at Mansfield University on July 1st through 5th. DE Sports was the State Runner-up in 2015. Coach Lee Weber had this to say about winning the Championship, “It’s was a great win (8-4) to beat Venango All-Stars (made up of Franklin, Cranbery, Rocky Grove, and Oil City) with our Clarion County team made up of 11 Clarion Little League players, two North Clarion, and one Knox player.

“Adrian Weber, Derek Lauer, and Reed Anthony combined for a three hitter. Leadbetter, Lauer, and Cameron Craig each had two hits and a double! This is the third year in a row we have won our District 25. We decided not to enter 2 yrs ago due to a lack of players available over the 4th of July. Last year, we surprised everyone, including ouselves, by finishing second in the State. We are looking forward to the challenge again this year!”

Congratulations to DE Sports!!!! Have a great State Tournament!!!!