Potsdam, NY – Despite slugging their way to 27 runs and 33 hits in a doubleheader, the Clarkson University Baseball team could only muster a twinbill split with Union College, winning the first Liberty League game 19-1 before dropping the nightcap 12-8 Friday afternoon at Snell Field.
The Golden Knights moved to 18-12 overall and 8-4 in the conference while Union improved to 9-20 and 2-8. Clarkson hosts Ithaca College in a non-league doubleheader at 1 pm on Saturday.
In the first game, Clarkson struck for two runs in the second inning, but put the game well out of reach with a 13-run third inning to make the score 15-0. Every starter recorded at least one hit for the Golden Knights as JJ Lorence (Liverpool, NY) led the way with his second consecutive 4-for-4 performance. Also contributing to the Knights’ victory were Brandon Barcomb (Cadyville, NY), who went 3-for-4 with two RBI, Mike Onisk (Baldwinsville, NY), who was 3-for-4, and John Smith (Hermon, NY) and Brian Theilemann (Troy, NY), who each drove in three runs. Rob Cowin (Albany, NY) also went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and Stefan Casey (Waterbury, VT) was 2-for-3.
The top of Union’s lineup did their damage in the game as Adam Chadwick was 2-for-3 and Kyle Murphy went 3-for-3. The rest of the team was 0-for-19.
Andy Noonan (Central Square, NY) threw a complete-game five-hitter, striking out six and not allowing a walk for his fifth victory of the season.
In the second contest, the Knights looked as if they would continue where they left off with a three-run first and another run in the second. However, the Dutchmen scored two in the third, two in the fourth and produced three more in the sixth and another in the seventh to take a 8-4 lead. Clarkson rallied back with four in the bottom of the inning, including a three-run home run by Tom Lilienthal (Baldwinsville, NY) which tied the score. Union responded with a run in the eighth and three more in the ninth to cap the game.
The Dutchmen, after being shut down on just five hits in the opener, produced 22 hits in the second game, including a 5-for-5 performance by Ben Brown. Zach Tillo also was 4-for-6 for Union.
For Clarkson, Barcomb went 3-for-4 with three RBI and Lilienthal was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Lorence stayed hot as well, going 2-for-4. He now has 10 hits in his last 12 at bats.
