Raiders preparing for playoffs

Cameron County is preparing to defend its PIAA District 9 high school baseball championship, with the playoffs getting underway in just over a week.

Coach Dick Harrier's Raiders swept a doubleheader with visiting Otto-Eldred Thursday to improve to 11-3.

Junior Jordan Crane pitched a three-hit shutout, striking out 10, in the opening 11-0 win. Sean McManigle and Abram Zoschg each homered. Cory Reed had a pair of hits and Cameron Clingan cracked a double.

Mike Baker matched Crane by blanking the Terrors in the nitecap, also 11-0. Baker had 10 strikeouts and scattered six hits. Garrett Horning homered and doubled for the hosts. Baker and Matt Kriner also doubled.

On Monday, Cameron County's bats exploded for 16 runs in the front end of a twinbill at Smethport, but the Raiders could have used some of that offense in the nitecap.

After a 16-2 romp in the opener -- highlighted by pitcher Cameron Clingan's nohitter - the Raiders fell to the Hubbers, 10-5, in game two.

Clingan struck out 12 batters and cracked a home run. He issued nine walks, but managed to pitch a five-inning complete game without yielding a hit. Baker (grand slam) and Zoschg also went deep for the visitors. David Lyon had two doubles and a pair of singles, while Crane stroked three hits, including a double.

In game two, which was a seven-inning affair, Cameron County fell into a 7-1 hole in the fourth inning and could not recover. Clingan clouted another round-tripper.

The Raiders return to action Monday afternoon, when Coudersport comes to town. Playoffs get underway the week of May 21.