Penguins lose in 13th, 5-4

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings and got the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly in the 13th on Wednesday to defeat Youngstown State 5-4.

Two of the runs in the ninth were unearned as the Nittany Lions came from behind after the Penguins led 4-0 through seven innings.

Penn State’s rally spoiled an outstanding start for freshman Matt Tucker. In his first collegiate start, Tucker allowed one run on three hits, walked four and struck out three in his eight innings of work.

Craig Gillet worked out of several jams to keep Penn State scoreless in the 10th through 12th innings. In the 13th, Jack Greenberg and Scott Kelley led off with singles, and the bases became loaded when Greenberg beat Gillet’s throw to third on a bunt. Wes Borden then lined a sacrifice fly to right center for the game-winner.

“We played our hearts out tonight,” YSU coach Rich Pasquale said. “We’re finding out some great things about Tucker and Gillet.

“Tucker threw the best I’ve ever seen him. We know we have another solid starter with him, and Gillet gives us someone else to come in and close it out.”

Tucker allowed a one-out double in the first, but the Nittany Lions did not get another base hit until Brian Ernst led off with a bloop single to left in the seventh. Tucker responded by striking out Cory Wine and inducing Rick Marlin into an inning-ending double play.

Penn State’s only run off of Tucker came in the eighth on a sacrifice fly. Even then, they caught a break as YSU’s Cory Hornyak lost track of a ball to deep centerfield that resulted in a Ben Heath triple. He scored two batters later on Landon Nakata’s fly out to center.

The Penguins had the bases loaded with nobody out in the top of the ninth, but David Lutz was able to work out of the inning unscathed. He struck out Anthony Porter for the first out, and he flipped home just ahead of Josh Page on a bang-bang play at the plate on a squeeze. Jason Reitenbach then flew out to end the inning.

In Penn State’s half, Ernst reached on an error with one out to start the rally. Wine then singled up the middle, and Marlin walked to load the bases. Kelley then singled off of Page’s glove to plate two runs, and Nakata walked with the bases loaded later in the inning to tie the contest at 4-4.

The Penguins will resume Horizon League play this weekend with a three-game series at Cleveland State. Game one of the set will be Friday at 6 p.m., and the squads will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon.