HYDE — Cade Walker got rewarded for a brilliant pitching performance when Nick Domico came through with a tie-breaking double and then scored the insurance run on Caullin Reed’s single in the sixth inning as Clearfield slipped past Bald Eagle Area 4-2 in schoolboy baseball action at the Bison Sports Complex Thursday.
Walker turned in his best varsity effort in the Mountain League rematch of the Bison’s season-opening win, authoring a two-hitter for his third win in four decisions.
The junior southpaw complemented his fastball with a very effective curveball that was responsible for the majority of his seven strikeouts. He walked two Eagles.
“Cade pitched a super game,” Bison coach Sid Lansberry said. “I’m really pleased the way he came back and pitched strong and kept his composure when we made a couple mistakes we shouldn’t have.”
Eagle sophomore Noah Williamson was almost as tough and took a two-hitter into the bottom of the sixth with the score knotted at 2-2.
He was victimized by the Bison’s two clutch hits, though. Both came with two outs.
Walker drew a walk on a close full-count offering and advanced to second on Hunter Hipps’ perfect sacrifice bunt before Domico smashed his game-winner to deep right center.
The two-bagger was the sophomore right fielder’s third in five hits.
“I liked that,” Lansberry said. “He’s in there for that reason. He’s got the potential to hit a long ball. This is his first year on varsity, so he’s getting adjusted yet. Plus, he’s been hurt for a couple years and hasn’t played much baseball.
“It was good to see him come up with a big hit like that.”
Reed’s ensuing RBI single to center made Walker’s task a little less tense in the last inning.
“A key hit,” Lansberry said. “He’s been doing that. He’s having good at-bats and gets on base a lot. He’s a good leadoff hitter. And he plays good shortstop.”
BEA (1-8, 1-7 ML) got life in the seventh when Dylan Bisel led off with an infield single and Caleb Burns received a free pass.
However, Walker took care of business himself.
He recorded a strikeout, handled Tommy Snyder’s one-hopper for a force at third base and, after two Eagles moved into scoring position on an error, induced another comebacker for the final out.
Clearfield’s first two runs were gifts in the first inning.
Reed circled the bases on three Eagle misplays around a wild pitch. Nate Barr, aboard on a fielder’s choice, scored on a two-out single through the right side by Walker.
“We shouldn’t have had a run, so that helped,” Lansberry said.
Especially when the Eagles put up their crooked number in the third frame after Snyder doubled to deep center and Williamson walked.
Walker foiled a sacrifice bunt try by firing to third for a force but was off target on Jaden Jones’ grounder as Williamson crossed the plate. Kale Gardner’s groundout tied the score on an unearned run.
Walker proceeded to set the Eagles down in order the next three innings before thwarting their threat in the seventh.
Williamson finished with a four-hitter, striking out three and walking three.
“It was a good pitcher’s duel,” Lansberry said. “Both guys did a great job.”
The Bison balanced their league record at 4-4 and are 6-4 overall.
“It’s a good win,” Lansberry said. “As long as we play good defense, we can win some games, but we’ve got to hit down through the order more consistently.”
Clearfield will meet Huntingdon on the BSC diamond Tuesday.
BALD EAGLE AREA — 2
Jaden Jones ss 3001, Kael Gardner 3b 3001, Matt Reese cf 3000, Dylen Bisel, Shane Seeger 2b 0000, Caleb Burns dh 2000, Hunter Brooks c 3000, Tommy Snyder lf 3010, Norm Williamson p 2100, Garrett Greene 1b 2100. TOTALS: 24 2 2 2.
CLEARFIELD — 4
Caullin Reed ss 4111, Nate Barr cf 4110, Eli Glass 1b 2000, Hayden Williams 3b 2000, Allan Myers c 3000, Cade Walker p 2111, Kyle Elensky 2b 0000, Hunter Hipps ph 2000, Karson Rumsky lf 3000, Nick Domico rf 3111. TOTALS: 25 4 4 3.
Score by Innings
Bald Eagle Area 002 000 0 – 2 2 3
Clearfield 200 002 x – 4 4 2
E – Jones, Gardner, Brooks, Williamson; Williams, Walker. LOB – Bald Eagle Area 3; Clearfield 7. 2B – Snyder; Domico. Sac – Hipps.
Pitching
Bald Eagle Area – Williamson 6 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.
Clearfield – Walker 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.
WP – Williamson 1; Walker 1.
W – Walker (3-1). L – Williamson.
Umpires – Joe Shick (plate) and Kenny Knepp (bases).
Bison Scoreboard:
Date Opponent Score Record
3/25 @ Bald Eagle Area 10 – 1 1 – 0
3/28 @ Huntingdon 6 – 8 1 – 1
4/02 PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA 1 – 2 1 – 2
4/04 CURWENSVILLE 5 – 2 2 – 2
4/05 @ Tyrone ppd. 2 – 2
4/06 @ Tyrone 2 – 3, 9 inn. 2 – 3
4/08 PENNS VALLEY 6 – 2 3 – 3
4/09 BROOKVILLE 22 – 12 4 – 3
4/11 @ Central 10 – 4 5 – 3
4/16 BELLEFONTE ppd. 5 – 3
4/17 @ Bellefonte 0 – 8 5 – 4
4/18 BALD EAGLE AREA 4 – 2 6 – 4
4/23 HUNTINGDON
4/25 @ Philipsburg-Osceola
4/29 PUNXSUTAWNEY
4/30 TYRONE
5/03 @ Penns Valley
5/06 CENTRAL
5/08 @ Bradford
5/09 BELLEFONTE
5/13 @ Curwensville
5/16 @ DuBois