Clarion Little League: Week One Recap; Opening Day This Weekend (04/26/2018)

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub)  Owing to inclement weather last week, Clarion Little League played a full-slate of rescheduled games in an afternoon triple-header last Saturday (April 21) at Paul A. Weaver Park.

GAME 1:  Delta 4 – Pizza Pub 2

In the opening game of the triple header Delta (Home) defeated Pizza Pub (Away), 4-2. The game was tied 1-1 until the bottom of the fifth, at which point Delta plated three to pull ahead 4-1. Delta went on to win when Pizza Pub could only score a single run in the top of the sixth.

Jesse Siwiecki had three hits for Delta, knocked in two runs, and stole a base. Other Delta players to collect hits were Logan Lutz, Kaden Ferguson, and Jimmy Kerr. Hunter Lechner had a steal. Pizza Pub’s Kohen Kemmer had two hits and stole a base. Tanner Miller and Parker Miller both singled, with Parker swiping a bag. Jesse Siwiecki, Jayden Siwiecki, and Logan Lutz all saw time on the mound for Delta. Jayden Siwiecki struck out two batters and Jesse Siwiecki three. Kemmer and Tanner Miller both pitched for Pizza Pub, with Kemmer fanning four and Miller one.

GAME 2:  Rotary 5 – Lions 3

The second game of the afternoon saw Rotary (Home) take on Lions (Away). Both teams featured dominant pitching performances, though Rotary prevailed 5-3 after an offensive explosion in the fifth inning.

Neither team could plate a run in the first. Owen Kriebel, starting for Rotary, set the Lions down in order during the top of the frame, striking out one and retiring two on grounders. His Lions’ counterpart, Jake Smith, fanned two of the four Rotary hitters he faced in the home half of the inning.

Lucas Mitrosky provided the spark for Lions in the top of the second, hitting a one out double, swiping third, and advancing home on a misplayed throw during his steal attempt. Jake Smith continued to cruise in the bottom, striking out the Rotary side.

Lions added to their lead in the third. Brady Pierced doubled, stole third, and made his way home on a wild pitch to put the away team up 2-0.

Rotary got on the board in the third. Liam Huwar reached first on a two out, fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a wild pitch. He scored when a Bryce Brinkley grounder squirted through the infield. Brinkley, who wound up at second, stole third and crossed the plate after Tommy Smith singled to right, knotting the game 2-2.

Rotary manager Bill Smith made a pitching change in fourth, calling upon Tommy Smith in relief. Tommy Smith, a big, hard throwing young man, proved to be a force, fanning all nine batters he faced in the final three innings.

Rotary’s offense kicked into high gear during the bottom of the fifth, scoring the decisive three runs of the contest. Riley Rinker walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second when Huwar was hit by a pitch. Brinkley smacked a single to right field, scoring Rinker from second and moving Huwar to third. Tommy Smith then helped his own cause, singling to right field. His knock plated Huwar and the speedy Brinkley, setting the score at 5-2.

Tommy Smith had two singles and three RBI for Rotary. Brinkley had a single, stole a base, and was credited with an RBI. Pierce and Mitrosky got the Lions’ only two hits, both doubles. Each also stole a base. In addition to Tommy Smith’s nine strike outs, Rotary starter Kriebel whiffed six in his three innings of work. Jake Smith pitched four and two-thirds of an inning for Lions, striking out eight. He was relieved in the fifth by Pierce.

GAME 3:  Burns & Burns 11 – SMI 1

Burns & Burns (Away) led from start to finish in taking an 11-1 five inning mercy rule win over SMI (Home) in the nightcap.

Brayden Murray had SMI’s only two hits, both doubles, and drove in the squad’s only run. Devon Lauer and Dawson Smail enjoyed multi-hit games for Burns & Burns, both connecting for two singles and being credited with an RBI apiece. Derek Smail hit a home run and drove in three. Dylan Smail singled. Brayden Murray pitched two innings for SMI and struck out eight (dropped third strikes). Dauntae Girvan took the bump in relief, striking out six in two innings. Jack Craig also saw time on the mound for SMI. Dawson Smail and Lauer pitched for Burns & Burns. Smail struck out seven in two and two-thirds innings, with Lauer fanning seven in two and a third innings.

Clarion Little League will officially celebrate Opening Date this Saturday (April 28) at Paul A. Weaver Park. Ceremonies are scheduled to begin at approximately 11:20, with games to follow at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00.

(* not for republication)