The Clarion Area Bobcats will take on the Grove City Eagles at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Clarion Area is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
Grove City will challenge a team with plenty of momentum: Clarion Area extended their winning streak to three on Tuesday. The Bobcats walked away with a 6-3 win over Greenville.
Derek Smail
| 05/02/25 vs Moniteau | 3 |
| 05/13/25 @ Greenville | 2 |
| 04/28/25 @ Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley | 2 |
| 04/23/25 @ Clarion-Limestone | 2 |
| 04/17/25 vs North Clarion | 2 |
| + 8 more games |
Derek Smail made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over 5.2 innings while giving up three earned runs off three hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two runs. Clarion Area is undefeated when Smail posts two or more runs, but 4-5 otherwise.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Hayden Weber, who went 3-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April.
Meanwhile, Grove City had to endure a four-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. Their pitchers stepped up to hand Franklin an 11-0 shutout on Monday. That 11 run margin sets a new team best for the Eagles this season.
Jaxen Pyle was incredible, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one double. Gavin Gilmore was another key player, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI.
Grove City always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .560. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Clarion Area pushed their record up to 12-5 with the victory, which was their sixth straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.2 runs on average over those games. As for Grove City, their victory bumped their record up to 4-13.
Grove City's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Wednesday. Clarion Area has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Grove City, though, as they've been averaging only 3.9 strikeouts. Will Clarion Area keep running through batters, or will the Eagles buck the trend? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more baseball content.
