Peterson Solid in First Start, Lydia “Babe” Middaugh Homers Again; Softball Drops 2

Chris Rossetti

Chris Rossetti

Published April 19, 2015 4:16 am
Image

CLARION, Pa. — Freshman Marissa Peterson was solid in her first career start Saturday and Lydia Middaugh’s sudden power streak continued, but the Clarion University softball team was swept in a doubleheader by PSAC-West leading Gannon Saturday afternoon in Clarion.

(Photo: Lydia “Babe” Middaugh)

The Golden Eagles dropped game one 18-3 in five innings before falling 4-1 in game two in a game that was 2-1 going to the seventh.

Peterson, making her first appearance in the circle of any kind at the collegiate level, was strong giving up four runs, only two through the first six inning, on five hits and five walks in 6.1 innings of work.

Middaugh, meanwhile, who had never hit a home run in 17 years of playing softball prior to last Sunday’s (April 12) game at California (Pa.) smacked her third home run this week leading off the fourth inning of game one.

Joining Middaugh in the hit parade for Clarion were four players with a pair of hits each between the twinbill.

Ashley Barenchik, who was 2-for-3 in game two, was 2-for-5 on the day, while Taylor Powell, Paige Baker and Casey Wilcox were each 2-for-6 with Powell and Wilcox each driving home runs. Both of Baker’s and Wilcox’s hits came in the first game when they were both 2-for-3, while Powell was 1-for-3 with an RBI in game one and 1-for-3 in game two. Middaugh, Cassie Daniels, and Christina Tressler each had one hit on the day, while Megan Anderson also scored twice.

In game one, all 18 of Gannon’s runs came in a three-inning span that started with a six-run third and continued with a seven-run fourth before finishing with a five-run sixth.

Baker took the loss allowing six runs on eight hits in three innings of work. Lyndsey Jones was tagged for 12 runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out one in an inning of action, and Chelsea Zola pitched a scoreless inning not allowing a hit.

Clarion scored twice in the third thanks to run-producing singles by Wilcox and Powell and then got Middaugh’s homer in the fourth.

In the second game, the Golden Eagles jumped ahead 1-0 in the third when Anderson, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, scored from second when Wilcox reached on a two-out error.

Gannon tied the game with a run in the top of the fourth and then took the lead with a run in the fifth before getting two insurance runs in the seventh.

Shawnna Crago also pitched in the second game giving up non runs in 0.2 innings of work while walking one and allowing two inherited runners to score.

The losses dropped Clarion to 5-25 overall and 4-20 in the PSAC West, while Gannon improved to 19-8 overall and 13-3 in the conference.

The Golden Eagles return to action Sunday when they host Seton Hill in a PSAC West doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

Recent Articles

Community Partner