Bobcats maul Penguins, 14-6

Bobcats maul Penguins, 14-6

NILES — Even though defensive miscues and spotty pitching plagued Youngstown State Wednesday in its 14-6 defeat to Ohio University, Erich Diedrich’s first homer provided another sign that the senior slugger is rounding into form.

Diedrich, who fractured his wrist on the first day of practice and was held out of action until March 26, hit his 24th career dinger in the bottom of the fifth inning with one on and one out.

Diedrich, in second place on the career home run list, said it definitely felt good to take one deep, but he knew it was only a matter of time before it happened.

“I got a 3-1 fastball and drove it,” Diedrich said. “I’ve been hitting the ball hard and trying to drive it. It’s taken some time and patience to come back from the injury. I’ve got good hitters in front and behind me that help me out and make my job easier.”

Complete story appears in Thursday’s edition.