The Gannon University baseball team experienced a challenging day during their Sunday afternoon doubleheader against Clarion, resulting in two defeats that left them with an overall record of 7-12 and 1-3 in conference play. Meanwhile, Clarion improved to 9-9 overall and 3-1 within the PSAC West division. Head coach DJ Cannon faced numerous obstacles, including last-minute lineup changes due to illness among key players, ultimately impacting the outcome of both games.

Coach DJ Cannon's fourth season has been marked by difficulties, and Sunday was no exception. The planned starting pitchers for the doubleheader fell ill, forcing Cannon to improvise his pitching strategy. In the first game, this adjustment proved particularly costly as Gannon succumbed to a decisive 13-6 loss. The second game showcased more competitive play, with solid relief pitching from Brady Berdine and Logan Ayres, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory as Gannon fell short 5-3. Despite out-hitting Clarion, the Knights were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

In the opening contest, Gannon struggled to keep pace with Clarion’s strong offensive performance. The specifics of this match remain incomplete at the moment, but the final score reflects the challenges faced by the Golden Knights. Moving into the second game, Gannon found themselves trailing early after conceding four runs in the first inning. Relievers Berdine and Ayres provided crucial stability, limiting further damage, yet the Knights could not bridge the gap despite several close calls.

A bright spot in the second game came from freshman Brady Berdine, who entered in the second inning and delivered two shutout frames. His counterpart, Logan Ayres, also performed admirably, allowing just one run over three innings while striking out five batters. Offensively, Reece Colvin contributed significantly with a run-scoring double, and Frank Kula added a clutch two-out double that brought the Knights within striking distance. However, timely hits eluded Gannon when they mattered most, leaving them unable to overcome the deficit.

Gannon looks ahead to their next fixture, a nine-inning non-conference clash against Walsh on Tuesday, March 25. Following this, they return to PSAC West competition with a crucial four-game series versus California (Pa.) scheduled for Friday, March 28, and Sunday, March 30. The Knights will aim to regroup and build momentum as they continue their season.