HYDE — On Tuesday, the Clearfield Bison were on the docket to have a showdown against a District IX foe, the St. Marys Flying Dutch, with Clearfield heading on the road. But, the rain that came on Monday, the same rain that suspended Clearfield’s game against Huntingdon, made field conditions at the St. Marys High School practically unplayable. So, officials elected to not only move the game to Wednesday afternoon, but also swapped fields, having Clearfield be the host.
It seems the home advantage has been very good for the Bison, as the bats got working early and were able to connect for nine hits, securing just as many runs, as the Bison win their third-straight, 9-3, over the Flying Dutch.
Clearfield got on the board first in the opening inning when Morgen Billotte connected on an RBI-single to plate Kyle Elensky. At that point, that was the only lead change to take place. After being held scoreless in the second inning, Clearfield’s bats and legs were scoring at a strong clip, putting up eight more runs in the remaining four innings.
At the same time, pitcher Ryan Gearhart was having a big day on the hill. His day was going so well, Bison head coach Sid Lansberry elected to keep Gearhart as the pitcher for the entire game. He was rewarded with a complete game victory, only giving up four hits and three runs on the afternoon. Gearhart managed to strike out eight batters on the day, while only yielding a trio of walks.
The Dutch managed to get themselves on the board late in the going, finally getting their first run in the fifth inning. No hit was bigger nhan Carter Price’s, who put up a solo home run in the sixth to cut the Bison lead to 9-2. But, the visitors were only able to add one final run in the seventh, giving Clearfield its third straight win, all coming on their home field.
St. Marys saw three pitchers take the hill on the afternoon, with Tony Lewis being tagged with the loss on this day. He finished with three innings of work, giving up two hits, two runs, one of them earned, and striking out two.
In the hopes to keep the win streak going, not to mention the continued defense of their home diamond, Clearfield (3-1) finishes out this week’s slate with another home contest Thursday against Bellefonte. Weather permitting, first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
SCORE BY INNING
St. Marys 000 011 1 – 3 4 2
Clearfield 101 223 X – 9 9 0
St. Marys – 3
Logan Mosier 3000, Tony Lewis 2000, Eli Rippey 1100, Christian Coudriet 3000, Connor Straub 3011, Charlie Coudriet 3000, Carter Price 2121, Connor Bullers 3010, Alex Vollmar 2000, Layton Ryan 1001, Vinny Lenze 1000, Cameron McMackin 1000, Carter Redmond 0100. TOTALS 25 3 4 3.
Clearfield – 9
Kyle Elensky 3220, Nolan Barr 4000, Morgen Billotte 3231, Blake Prestash 3210, Cole Bloom 3212, Ryan Gearhart 2000, Ty Troxel 3013, Mike Fester 3001, Elijah Quick 2010, Isaac Durandetta 1100, Jesse Lumadue 0000. TOTALS 27 9 9 7.
- LOB: 5/10
- E: Chr. Coudriet, Vollmar
- ROE: Barr, Gearhart
- 2B: Butlers
- HR: Price
- HBP: Price
- FC: Fester
- SB: Elensky, Billotte
- CS: Gearhart
PITCHING
St. Marys: Lewis-3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 SO, 4 BB; Vollmer-2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 SO, 4 BB; Mosier-1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 SO, 2 BB.
Clearfield: Gearhart-7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 SO, 3 BB.
W-Gearhart
L-Lewis