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Bobcats Punch Their Ticket To State Playoffs With D9 1A Baseball Semifinal Win Over ECC, Will Face DCC In District Championship Game

Photos by Nate Girvan – Above: Devon Lauer on the mound

Devon Lauer picked up a shutout win as the Clarion, as the Clarion Area Bobcats downed the Elk County Catholic Crusaders 4-0, in their District Nine 1A Baseball semifinal, at Showers Field in DuBois on Thursday (May 25th).

With the win the Bobcats secure their spot in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Association (PIAA) State Playoffs and a matchup with the DuBois Central Catholic Crusaders, in the district championship game on Monday (May 28th – Memorial Day), at Showers Field. Opening pitch for the championship is set for 3:00 p.m.

Clarion put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Tanner Miller doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hayden Weber, then scored on a ground out by Dauntae Girvan.

The Cats plated their other three runs in the fourth. Miller singled to leadoff the inning and moved to second on a single by Weber. Courtesy runner Wyatt Watterson took over on first. Dauntae Girvan moved the runners up on a fielder’s choice.

Tanner Miller connecting for single

Later with two out, Dawson Smail was intentionally walked. Bryce Brinkley singled to score Miller. Then Noah Harrison drove in Watterson and Smail.

Stats for the Bobcats: Miller had two hits, including a double and scored two runs. Smail had a single and scored once. Harrison singled and drove in two runs. Brinkley singled twice and had an RBI. Weber had a single. Watterson scored once and Girvan had an RBI.

Lauer recorded seven strikouts, and scattered six hits, while walking one to pick up the win.

For the Crusaders, Lance O’Neil and Will Wortman each had two hits.

(Way To Go, Cats!!!! Thanks to Nate Girvan for his photos and Chris Rossetti and YDL Media and D9and10Sports.com for permission to gather information from their broadcast!!)