Bobcats Two-Hit AC Valley In 6-1 Win (05/02/2018)

Skylar Rhoades started the game, striking out four and holding AC Valley hitless in the first three innings.

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub)  For the second time in as many days, Clarion pitchers combined to two-hit an opponent. This time it was Skylar Rhoades and Skyler Pastor doing the deed in Emlenton, as the Bobcats downed the AC Valley Falcons 6-1 in a weather shortened game on Friday, April 27.

The Bobcats got on the board quickly, plating two runs in the top of the first. Spencer Miller led off the inning with a fly to right, reaching base when the ball was dropped. With one out, Miller stole second and third during Sterling Conner’s plate appearance, an at-bat which saw Conner gain first on a four pitch walk. Conner moved to second on catcher’s indifference. Both Miller and Conner scored when Cole Slaugenhaup delivered a two out single to right-center gap, giving the Bobcats a 2-0 lead.

Drew Whren had a single and RBI.

Clarion added to their lead in the third. Rhoades connected for a one out double to right and came around to score on a Drew Whren single to the left side, a hit which gave the Bobcats a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the frame.

Meanwhile in the field, Rhoades, Clarion’s starting pitcher, and the Bobcat defense were doing their part to thwart the Falcon attack. AC Valley was hitless through the first three innings and unable to advance any of their two baserunners past second.

Clarion players enjoying some mid-game refreshments during the weather delay.

Thus ended the first half of the game, as at the conclusion of the third the umpires suspended play owing to lightning in the area. Fortunately, the lightning and accompanying thunder were mainly bark, with very little bite, as rainfall during the weather event proved almost inconsequential. After about forty minutes, play resumed in the top of the fourth inning.

Clarion did not appear to miss a stride upon resumption of play. Miller reached first on an error and stole second during Cam Craig’s at-bat. Craig moved Miller to third with a one out single to left. Conner followed with a line drive to center, plating Craig and Miller to make the Bobcat advantage 5-0.

Pastor, on in relief of Rhoades, continued to hold AC Valley scoreless in the fourth with the assistance of the Clarion defense. The Falcons would break through in the bottom of the fifth, converting a lead-off walk into their only run of the contest, making the score 5-1.

Spencer Miller leaps over a ground ball on his way to second.

Clarion went ahead 6-1 in the sixth inning. Miller led off the frame with a sharply hit double down the left field line and came around to score when Conner grounded into a shortstop-to-first fielder’s choice.

After holding the Falcons scoreless in the home half of the sixth, the Bobcats scored again in the seventh. Because the game was called mid-inning, however, the score reverted back to the 6-1 tally that was in place at the end of the sixth.

The Bobcats banged out six hits in the six official innings of play. Miller had two, a double and single. Rhoades helped his own cause with a double and RBI. Craig, Conner, Slaugenhaup, and Drew Whren each singled. Conner and Slaugenhaup led the team with two RBI apiece, with Whren chipping in one.

Rhoades pitched the first three innings for Clarion, striking out four on his way to getting the win. Pastor relieved after the mid-game rain delay, fanning two as he picked up the save.

(photographs by Christie Datko)