HOLLIDAYSBURG — After having to wait nearly a week to finally get back on the baseball diamond courtesy of Mother Nature’s unyielding weather, the Clearfield Bison finally got the opportunity to start their 2022 campaign on a chilly but sunny Saturday afternoon. The competition against the Hollidaysburg Golden Tigers was to take place earlier in the week, but both squads were greatly pleased to have a Saturday matinee on the field.
On this day, the Bison could not get things going, as they were held scoreless the entire game. The Tigers were dealing on the hill, and scoring in the box, taking the 4-0 triumph, evening their own record at 1-1 while handing Clearfield an opening-season loss.
Clearfield’s woes started in the first inning as Matt Smith managed to connect on a two-RBI single, plating both Jake Hileman and Joe Bukosky to put the Tigers ahead. One batter later, starting pitcher Landon Perry would make his job a lot easier when he brought in Smith on an RBI-double to the outfield. The 3-0 lead from the opening inning was more than enough of a cushion to hold the Bison at bay the remainder of the afternoon.
Perry would make it a major challenge on the Bison in his five innings of work. He would toss 86 total pitches, but would strike out 13 of the 25 batters he saw on the hill, while just walking two, earning the first win for the Tigers on the season.
Hollidaysburg added in another run in the bottom of the third, as an RBI-single by Nate Sell brought in Bukosky for his second run of the game.
For Clearfield, Kyle Elensky drew the loss on the afternoon, pitching three innings and giving up all four runs, all earned, and striking out two. Ryan Gearhart had a little better luck in relief, as he struck out four in his three innings of work, but the offensive struggles made it difficult for the Bison to gain any momentum.
Hoping to get their first win of the season, Clearfield (0-1) is on their home diamond this Monday when they play host to Brookville, the first of three games slated for the week. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
SCORE BY INNING
Clearfield 000 000 0 – 0 3 0
Hollidaysburg 301 000 X – 4 6 2
Clearfield – 0
Nolan Barr 3000, Morgen Billotte 3010, Kyle Elensky 3010, Blake Prestash 2000, Cole Bloom 3000, Ty Troxell 3000, Ryan Gearhart 3000, Shane Coudriet 2000, Isaac Durandetta 1010, Elijah Quick 1000, Mike Fester 1000. TOTALS 25 0 3 0.
Hollidaysburg – 4
Jake Hileman 3110, Joe Bukosky 3220, Matt Smith 1112, Ethan Karageanes 1000, Keagan Hockey 0000, Landon Perry 2011, Carson Kensinger 2000, Nate Sell 3011, Drew Banks 3000, Tucker Rossman 3000, Ethan Stevenson 2000. TOTALS 23 4 6 4.
LOB: 6/4
2B: Perry
FC: Bloom
CS: Kensinger
E: Bukosky, Banks
PITCHING
CF: Elensky-3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 SO, 2 BB; Gearhart-3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 SO, 1 BB.
HB: Perry-5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 13 SO, 2 BB; Banks-2 IP, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 SO, 0 BB.
W-Perry
L-Elensky
