THE GAME FACTS
CLARION, PA- The Golden Knights brought their hitting shoes in a doubleheader split with Clarion on Saturday on the road. Gannon erupted for 10 runs in the opening game, their first game with 10 runs or more since the second game of the season.
The longball was the story in the opener. Gannon got two three run homers from each of Ian Soto (Florida, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristiana de Manati) and Matt Smith (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area) as all 10 runs were scored in the first two frames.
Gannon would take a 2-1 lead in the second game and forced extras with a run in the top of the sixth to tie the game 6-6. Clarion would win the game in the bottom of the eighth on a walk-off single.
THE KNIGHT CAP - GAME 1
- Seventh Heaven- The Golden Knights set the tempo right from the jump in game one, scoring seven runs in the first frame. Ian Soto (Florida, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristiana de Manati) launched a three-run homer for his team leading fifth longball of the season. Later in the inning, Matt Smith (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area) collected RBI's 16 and 17 to make it 7-0.
- Insurance Runs – Connor Smith (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) joined the run party in the second with a three run blast to give GU a 10-2 lead in the second. It was Smith's first homer of the year and served as the game winning hit.
- Last Stand - Clarion would mount a comeback late in the game, scoring two in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Gannon lead to 10-7. Yet, Logan Ayres (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) was able to shut things down in the seventh for his second save of the year.
-
On the Bump – Ryan Hood (Latrobe, Pa./Derry Area) had a no-decision in 3 2/3 innings of work, allowing five runs on six hits, striking out four ... Ashton Wheelock (Ashtabula, Ohio/Lakeside) got the win, pitching 1 2/3.
THE KNIGHT CAP - GAME 2
-
Advantage of Miscues - After Gannon allowed a run in the bottom of the first, Gannon took the lead with two unearned runs on one pitch. Cainen Atherton (Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union Area) was able to advance to second on a wild pitch while Connor Smith (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) scored, and after an error at third, Atherton raced to the plate to put GU up 2-1. Clarion made three errors in the game, of which Gannon took advantage for three runs.
-
Troiano Leaves the Yard – Batting in the second spot, Hunter Troiano (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seneca Valley) launched a solo home run in the third to put Gannon up 3-1. It was his second homer of the 2026 campaign.
-
Extra Inning Finish – It looked as if the Golden Knights may take the lead in the top of the eighth when C. Smith and Atherton reached base to start the inning. But with one out and Nick Walker (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) at the plate, Smith was thrown out at the plate on a grounder to third and GU could not score. Clarion would win the game in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single.
THE NEXT GAME
The home opener is upon us. The Golden Knights will return to McConnell Family Stadium on Sunday, facing Clarion for a 1/3:30 pm doubleheader.
This story was written using the support of AI.
