The Clarion Area Bobcats will face off against the Punxsutawney Chucks at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Clarion Area 3.5, Punxsutawney 3.3) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Clarion Area is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They were the clear victors by a 16-2 margin over Clarion-Limestone on Wednesday. The Bobcats haven't had any issues with the Lions recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive victory against them.
Ethan Rex
| 04/23/25 @ Clarion-Limestone | 5 |
| 04/17/25 vs North Clarion | 1 |
| 04/07/25 vs Karns City | 3 |
| 04/01/25 @ Elk County Catholic | 4 |
| 03/27/25 @ DuBois Central Catholic | 2 |
| + 2 more games |
Carter Hindman and Ethan Rex made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Hindman pitched 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Meanwhile, Rex pitched 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. What's more, he posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in April of 2024. At bat, Hindman went 1-for-4 with one run and one RBI, while Rex got on base in three of his five plate appearances with two runs.
In other batting news, Clarion Area got a massive performance out of Derek Smail, who went 2-for-5 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Smail has become a key player for the Bobcats: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 1-2 otherwise. Hayden Weber was another key player, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Clarion Area kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Punxsutawney was not the first on the board on Wednesday, but they got there more often. They came out on top in a nail-biter against St. Marys, sneaking past 3-1. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Chucks.
Nevin Day made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up a single earned run in seven consecutive appearances. He was even better at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.
Day wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Maddox Hetrick, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one run.
Clarion Area pushed their record up to 6-2 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.7 runs over those games. As for Punxsutawney, their win bumped their record up to 9-2.
Punxsutawney's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Clarion Area hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .360. It's a different story for Punxsutawney, though, as they've only averaged .258. Will they be able to contain Clarion Area's hitters?
Clarion Area took their victory against Punxsutawney in their previous matchup back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 8-2 score. Do the Bobcats have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Chucks turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
