Clarion Bobcats Are 2017 PIAA Class A Baseball Runners-up (06/19/17)

(By CSZ Sportswriter Kenn Staub)

(Photos by Christie Datko) 2017 Clarion Area Bobcats, PIAA Class A State Runner Ups! Front Row (left to right) Mitch Geiger, Kyle Patterson, Ryan Anthony, Reed Anthony, Dominic Fleming, Lake Staub, Assistant Coach: Andrew Waugamen. Middle Row: Nate Datko, Skylar Rhoades, Sterling Conner, Donald Dunkle, Assistant Coach: Lee Webber. Back Row: Head Coach: Rob Jewett, Cameron Craig, Skyler Pastor, Spencer Miller, Josh Craig and Drew Wren. Missing is Volunteer Coach: Derek Lauer

The Clarion Area High School baseball team exceeded all preseason expectations by making it to the PIAA state championship game played this past Thursday in State College.  Unfortunately Thursday (June 15th) was not the Bobcats’ day, as the Meyersdale Red Raiders prevailed 2-0 in a hard fought contest to become the 2017Class A champions.

Meyersdale scored all the runs they would need to secure victory in the home half of the first inning, plating two of the first three batters.

Clarion would mount their most serious scoring threat in the top of the fourth.  Senior Ryan Anthony hit a one out single to right field and advanced to third when junior Cam Craig singled with two down.  Craig followed his hit by stealing second.  With Anthony and Craig in scoring position the next Bobcat hitter flew out to the right fielder, ending the inning.

Anthony (1-3) and Craig (1-2) recorded the only Clarion hits of the game.

Bobcats tip their hats to show the appreciation to all the Clarion fans who came to support them!

Freshman Skylar Rhoades was the starting pitcher for the Bobcats, followed by Anthony who pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief.  During his extended relief stint Anthony surrendered only two hits and fanned three.

At game’s end head coach Rob Jewett presented the team with their hard earned silver medals, hugging all players and thanking each for his contribution during the season.  And what a season it was! With a record of 21-4 and the distinction of being state runner-ups, the 2017 Bobcat baseball squad will go down as one of the most successful athletic teams in Clarion Area High School history.

Bobcat seniors show off the hardware! Left to Right: Reed Anthony, Dominic Flemming, Ryan Anthony and Kyle Patterson.

(Thanks to Kenn Staub for this article and to Christie Datko for the photos. SUPER, SUPER, SUPER SEASON, BOBCATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)