CLARION EARNS SHARE OF PSAC-WEST TITLE

            The Clarion University baseball team has earned a share of the PSAC-West championship and will be the No. 1 seed from the PSAC-West in the upcoming PSAC Playoffs.

            The Golden Eagles (25-20-1 overall, 12-8 PSAC-West) share the Western Division title with California, Shippensburg and Slippery Rock, and Clarion earns the No. 1 seed by having a 7-5 mark against the other three teams, the best of the group.

            Going into play last week, Clarion was in a three-way tie for second place with Shippensburg and Slippery Rock two games back of California. But Clarion won three of four from Cal Thursday and Friday including a sweep of a doubleheader (6-1, 4-2) at home Friday to clinch a playoff berth. The Golden Eagles still needed Slippery Rock to split with Lock Haven Saturday to earn a share of the PSAC-West title and the top seed. The Rock obliged winning Game One against The Haven 2-1 in eight innings Saturday but losing Game Two 8-4.

            The playoff berth is Clarion’s first since 1984, and the Golden Eagles are looking for their first PSAC title since 1967.

            Clarion will play Kutztown (East No. 3) in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament at 12:30 p.m. May 9 at the Shaner Sports Complex near Boalsburg.