EASTLAKE, Ohio (April 2, 2009) - Lake Erie College earned two wins against Clarion University this afternoon at Classic Park, 12-2 and 6-3. The Storm totaled 18 hits in the twin bill, including three home runs - two by freshman Ryan Rua (Amherst, Ohio/Amherst) and another by sophomore Brandon James (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor). Freshman pitchers Patrick Mulligan (Brookfield, Ohio/Brookfield) and Glenn Stewart (Strattanville, Pa./Clarion Limestone) each walked away with their first victories of the season, while fellow freshman Cameron Castro (Lorain, Ohio/Southview) got the first save of his collegiate career.

Game one had Clarion on the board first with a run in the top of the second inning, but an unfortunate error for the Golden Eagles in the bottom half of the inning that should have led to a double play, instead led to mass destruction as the Storm proceeded to score seven runs on five hits. The hosts then showered the Eagles with five more runs in the fourth inning on five more hits. Lake Erie had 11 total hits in the game with freshman Matt Vanni (Willowick, Ohio/Benedictine) going 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. James was 2-for-3 with two runs and freshman Kyle Kemp (Spotsylvania, Pa./James Monroe) was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Mulligan's win on the hill came after five innings in which he struck out three and gave up only one run. Senior Dan Mason (Eastlake, Ohio/North) pitched two innings of relief with one strikeout and no earned runs.

In game two, Clarion again scored the first run of the contest, this time in the top of the first. Lake Erie answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning after a walk by Vanni and a two-run shot over the left field bleachers by Rua. The Storm then scored a run in the second on an RBI single by sophomore Nick Lovick (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) then two more runs in the third after a single by senior Ben Reed (Middlefield, Ohio/Cardinal) and a home run by James. Clarion scored twice in the fourth to make the score 5-3 before Lake Erie added another run in the fifth with a lead off homer by Rua.

Stewart recorded the win in five innings of work, striking out four and giving up only two earned runs. Freshman Malcolm Tufts (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) went one and two thirds innings with two strikeouts and Castro went two thirds of an inning for the save, striking out one. The Storm had seven hits with Lovick at 2-for-2 with an RBI and Rua at 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.

Lake Erie (5-17) remains at Classic Park for its next double header on Sunday against Mercyhurst College at noon. Admission is $5 and gates open at 11:30 a.m. The games will be dedicated to former Lake Erie College employee Paul Robare who unexpectedly passed away recently at the age of 45. Storm coaches and players will wear black wrist bands and a moment of silence will occur prior to the opening pitch.