Bobcats Down Elk County 3-0 To Reach PIAA Semifinals (06/09/17)

(By CSZ sportswriter Kenn Staub)

Senior pitcher Reed Anthony limited Elk County Catholic (ECC) batters to 3 scattered hits and Clarion played heads up defense to shut out the Crusaders 3-0 in PIAA quarterfinal action.

Ryan Anthony had RBI single in the third inning drove in the second run for the Bobcats!

With the win Clarion secured a spot in Monday’s semifinals, where they will take on the Centurions of Greensburg Central Catholic (GCC).

Clarion scored all the runs they would need during the home half of the third.  Freshman Skylar Rhoades led off the inning with a walk, moving to second when senior Kyle Patterson reached first on a misplayed bunt.  The next batter, senior Dominic Fleming, was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Junior Spencer Miller followed with a deep fly to centerfield, scoring Rhoades and moving Patterson to third.  Patterson crossed the plate when Sr. Ryan Anthony singled to left field, giving the Bobcats a 2-0 edge.

Reed Anthony then hit a shot to the third baseman who tagged the bag, getting a force out on Fleming coming from second.  When the third sacker tried to complete the double play, however, he sailed the throw to first allowing Ryan Anthony to set up shop 90 feet from the plate.  Junior Sterling Conner then stepped to the plate and singled to right, scoring Ryan Anthony and giving Clarion the 3-0 lead.

Ryan Anthony had RBI single in the third inning drove in the second run for the Bobcats!

Ryan Anthony (1-2), Conner (1-3), and freshman Nate Datko (1-2) each had one of the Bobcats’ three singles.  Anthony, Conner, and Miller accounted for an RBI apiece.  Reed Anthony went the distance on the mound and struck out 7.

The Clarion Bobcats (20-3) will next face the GCC Centurions (14-5) in a PIAA Class A semifinal game Monday at North Allegheny High School in Wexford.  First pitch is slated for 3:00PM.  GCC reached the semifinals by beating District 9 champion Oswayo Valley 7-2 prior to the Clarion/ECC contest.

(Thanks to Kenn Staub for this article and to Christie Datko for the photos. Keep it going, Cats!!!!)