CLARKS SUMMIT, PA - A one-day weather postponement didn't slow down Cairn as they rolled over Clarks Summit in a Sunday afternoon doubleheader, 17-4 & 11-2.
GAME ONE: The Highlanders got their offense going early in game one, with a home run apiece sent to deep left by
Trey Valiton and straight away center by
Quinton Pertkiewicz. Brian Amantia Jr. sent a baseball of his own over the right field fence in the second inning, putting the Highlanders up 7-0. Cairn held an 11-0 lead going into the Defenders' half of the fourth inning, when Clarks Summit put their first run on the board thanks to a Joshua Knight home run. Cairn was able to plate six more runs in the next two innings, however, and kept Clarks Summit at arms length for a final score of 17-4.
The Highlanders took advantage of five costly Defender errors, as only 8 of the Highlanders' 17 runs were earned. Cairn's baserunning also played a significant role in the win, as Amantia (1), Valiton, (2) and
Caleb Edman (3) all recorded at least one stolen base.
At the plate, Cairn was led by
Michael Sorowice (3-4, 2 RBIs) and Amantia (2-3, 4 RBIs).
Starting pitcher
Carson Conradt had an impressive showing, going 5.0 innings while only allowing 1 earned run, 3 hits, and striking out 8.
GAME TWO: While the second game didn't have quite the same offensive firepower as the first, the Highlanders were still able to plate 11 runs to cruise to an easy 11-2 victory. A bases-loaded wild pitch started things off for the Highlanders, scoring Pertkiewicz. The Highlanders used that momentum to score four more runs in the second inning, thanks to a
Brooks Price 2-RBI double, a Valiton sac fly, and an Edman single. Cairn scattered two more runs over the third and fourth innings, before scoring four more in the top of the sixth on a
Caleb Edman double, a Sam Spadea single, and a Defender error that allowed two to score. The Defenders ended the Highlanders' bid at a shutout by scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but closing pitcher
Ben Spadea struck out three Defender batters in a row in the bottom of the seventh to seal the Highlanders' 11-2 victory.
Caleb Edman went 4-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
Michael Sorowice (3-4), Sam Spadea (2-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored), and
Quinton Pertkiewicz (2-2, 2 walks) also had excellent offensive games.
On the mound, freshman pitcher
Connor Ferguson gave up only 2 hits and struck out 8 in 5.0 innings of work.
Sunday's victories bring the Highlanders back to .500 on the season and .500 in conference play. Cairn has the opportunity to improve both their overall and conference record when they host the Patriots of the University of Valley Forge on Wednesday, 4/21.
Due to the ongoing construction of the Stillman Athletic Complex, these home games will be played at a neutral site.
