Thomas too tough as YSU stops UMW

The Penguins must win two of three in the series to earn a first round bye.
NILES -- Youngstown State pitcher Justin Thomas had one thing on his mind when he took the mound to open a critical four-game series against Horizon League rival Milwaukee-Wisconsin.
"I wanted the ball," said the junior left-hander. "If we win the first game when the series is on the line it's a big step.
"If we want to win three or four games this weekend, getting a win tonight was critical."
Thomas went the distance, pitching a five-hitter as the Penguins won 9-1 in a series that could move YSU into the second seed in the upcoming league tournament.
The Penguins (26-24, 8-5) need to win two of the remaining three games of the series to grab the second spot and earn a first-round bye in the tournament.
Youngstown State and UMW will play a doubleheader today at 1 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 1.
The win also ended the Penguins' 8-game losing streak dating to May 7.
Good pitching
"Justin was just incredible," said Penguin coach Mike Florak. "That's what you expect from the best pitcher in the league.
"We've come to expect performances like this from him the last three years."
Thomas (8-5) struck out 10 and didn't allow a run until the ninth inning on a pinch-hit homer by Shane Davis.
Thomas was matched up with UWM's Aaron Sorenson (8-3) in an pitcher's duel, but clearly out-pitched the Panthers' ace.
"I was able to spot my fastball early and get ahead of the count," Thomas said. "My job is to put zeroes on the board and let my offense chip away for some runs."
The Penguins did just that by scoring two runs in the second inning.
Canfield native Mike Turjanica blasted a triple to the wall in center to score Jim Phillips and Charles Schultz.
Phillips opened the inning with a one out walk and move to third on a single by Shultz and an error.
"It was great to get a big hit at the point in the game," Turjanica said. "I had a lot of friends and family here and to help the team win in front of them was exciting."
Insurance runs
The Penguins tacked on a run in the sixth after J.D Hannan tripled and scored on a single by Brandon Caipen.
YSU broke open the game with a four-run 7th inning. With one out, a hit batsman, single and walk loaded the bases. Josh Page drove in one run with a single and Caipen cleared the bases with a triple.
The YSU catcher had four RBIs.
Dustin Thomas tacked on the final run in the eighth when he hit the fourth triple of the game for the Penguins and scored on a sacrifice fly by Shultz.
The game was the first at home this season for YSU against a Horizon League opponent.