Butler, Pa- A pedestrian 5-0 victory in game 1, set the stage for a thrilling finish in game 2. Sophomore pitcher Brian Balagurchik (Notre Dame Academy, VA) made his first start this season, and completely shut down Clark State hitters, firing a no-hitter. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh, Sophomore designated hitter Sam Weightman (Penn Trafford, PA) blasted a 2-run, walk-off homer to right field, lifting GA to the 2-1 win, and double-header sweep.
GA got on the board first in the third inning when a Clark State error plated sophomore Tyler Kugler (Serra Catholic, PA), who came on to pinch-run for junior catcher Josh Kubisz (Goose Greek, SC); Kubisz had reached base via a lead-off single to left.
Back up in the fourth, three GA runners reached to load the bases, with two of them scoring on a 2-RBI single from Kubisz, giving them a 3-0 lead. Freshman pitcher Matt Klena (Shaler, PA) silenced the Clark State bats, keeping them off the scoreboard throughout. GA tacked on a run each in the fifth and sixth, coasting to the 5-0 win.
Klena (3-0) picked up the win, going all 7 innings. He allowed just 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 3. Josh Kubisz and freshman outfielder Oliver Girman (Serra Catholic, PA) both had 2 hits, with Kubisz driving in 2 runs. Sophomore outfielder Zak Schmidt (Moon, PA) and sophomore first baseman Adam Wehr (Northern Lehigh, PA) both also had an RBI.
Game 2 would see even less offense, as Clark State led 1-0 through the first six innings- despite not getting any hits. Four Greater Allegheny errors contributed to the lone run, with pitcher Brian Balagurchik shutting down the rest.
Up in their final at-bats, Adam Wehr led off the seventh with a walk and was replaced by Tyler Kugler on the base paths. Powerful designated hitter Sam Weightman followed, and quickly deposited the ball over the right field fence, lifting GA to the 2-1, come-from-behind, walk-off win; it was Weightman's 3rd home run this season.
Balagurchik (1-0) pitched 7 innings of no-hit ball, striking out 2, while allowing two base on balls. Weightman shared the spotlight, going 2-3 with his 2-RBI home run to right.
The sweep improves Greater Allegheny to 17-9 overall and pushes their win streak to 10 straight. They will return to the diamond in less than 24 hours, as they host Cincinnati-Clermont- first pitch of the double-header is set for 12 PM.
