Baseball Preview: Clarion-Limestone Lions vs. Clarion Area Bobcats
The Clarion-Limestone Lions are on the road again on Monday to play the Clarion Area Bobcats at 4:15 p.m. The pair have allowed few runs on average, (Clarion-Limestone: 3.2, Clarion Area: 2.5) so any runs scored will be well earned.
Last Tuesday, Clarion-Limestone beat Brookville 8-3.
Tommy Smith made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he pitched five innings while giving up just two earned runs off three hits. Smith was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances.
In other pitching news, Paul Craig looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
Back at the plate, Logan Lutz and Brayden Murray did most of the damage at the plate: Lutz scored three runs while going 2-for-3, while Murray scored a run while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Clarion Area put the finishing touches on their 11th blowout victory of the season on Friday. They never let Hickory onto the board and left with an 8-0 victory. The win was nothing new for Clarion Area as they're now sitting on seven straight.
Like Clarion-Limestone, Clarion Area also got a great game from a two-way player: Derek Smail. He pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Smail has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive pitching appearances. Smail was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 2-for-4.
In other batting news, Dawson Smail was excellent, scoring a run while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. Devon Lauer was another key contributor, going 1-for-3 with a triple and a run.
Clarion-Limestone's victory was their fifth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 9-4. As for Clarion Area, their record is now 15-1-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Clarion-Limestone has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Clarion Area struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.1. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Clarion-Limestone suffered a grim 12-2 defeat to Clarion Area in their previous meeting back in May of 2023. Can Clarion-Limestone avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
