Congratulations! Knew you can do it. Erica! I had heard rumors, but it’s great to know that there is now confirmation. Have a great year, I’m looking forward to your Penthouse PotY reign!

Erica Ellyson’s MySpace Profile, click here

Hi everyone, I am 23 years old, I am a model and one day hope to become an Architect. I LOVE the camera!! I like to travel, play sports, and go out in my boat fishing in my free time. I’m a good fisherwoman… and yes.. I clean my own fish! Scale em, gut em, cook em lol…. I am a southern girl all the way! Those are the best kind right?? I am from a small country town Hurley, Mississippi, I am a very down to earth, genuine girl and I love meeting and hanging out with new people. I love talking with everyone, so drop me a comment or message anytime. I love my fans and even if you aren’t one I still love you too! I add no friends under the age of 18, sorry about that.

First he throws a no-hitter in his second start in the bigs. Then Josh Beckett [stats] goes down with a bad back, meaning Clay’s odds of starting just got a whole lot better. And if that’s not enough, Clay is dating Penthouse Pet of the Year Erica Ellyson!

Buchholz’s dad confirmed to WZLX yesterday that his boy has spent some quality time with the 23-year-old centerfold.

“I know he’s met her, gone out with her, but I don’t know if you consider that dating . . . but hey, a boy could do worse,” Skip Buchholz told ’ZLX’s Karlson & McKenzie yesterday.

Apparently Erica also spilled the beans – somewhat – to Howard Stern the other morning, telling the satellite shock jock that she was sleeping with someone on the Sox.

“It doesn’t surprise me any,” said Clay’s dad. “Last year up in Boston he was dating a Victoria’s Secret model, so he’s moving up the ladder . . . . I mean, he’s got pretty good taste.”

Well, who knew the rather geeky-looking Texan was such a playah! And if you ask us, the Red Sox rookie has his hands full with Erica. On her MySpace [website] page the perky Pet lists her interests as “being naked and spanking” along with the more tame “golf, track, fishing and drinking with friends.”

And during a visit to the Stern show earlier this week, Erica stripped down with fellow Penthouse Pet Bree Olson and made out on the Stern sofa.

We asked Sox spokesman John Blake about the purported romance to which he replied: “I know nothing about that. I know nothing about that.”