YSU rallies in ninth to win opener

The Penguins also rallied in the ninth in the second game, but were held off, 3-2.

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Anthony Porter’s RBI single tied the score and a throwing error brought in the go-ahead run, giving the Youngstown State baseball team an improbable 2-1 victory over Valparaiso in the first game of a Horizon League doubleheader Saturday.

The Penguins (19-30, 11-11 HL) lost the second game, 3-2.

YSU trailed 1-0 going into the ninth inning of the opener, but Sean Lucas led off with a single. He was sacrificed to second by Erich Diedrich, then advanced to third on Joe Iacobucci’s groundout.

Anthony Porter followed with an RBI single to right, scoring Lucas. Jason Reitenbach, who came into the game as a pinch runner, came all the way around to score when Tom Clayton’s singled and Valparaiso left fielder Jason Brunelli’s wild throw.

Aaron Swenson then set the Crusaders down in order in the bottom of the inning to finish a complete game. Swenson (6-2) struck out seven and allowed just five hits.

Lucas and Clayton finished with two hits apiece for the Penguins.

In the second game, Valparaiso (17-30, 8-10) scored twice in the second inning and once in the third to hold off the Penguins, who again scored both of their runs in the ninth inning.

Chuck Schiffauer (1-5) took the loss despite a solid complete-game performance. He struck out three and allowed 10 hits.

Lucas had three hits, giving him five on the day.

Andrew Quinnette’s double and Joe Lazar’s single drove in Valparaiso’s first two runs. Quinnette added an RBI single in the third to make it 3-0.

In the ninth, Lucas singled and Diedrich doubled down the left field line. Valparaiso starter Jon Gulbransen was lifted for Jay Clites, who induced Iacobucci to ground out to short, but Lucas scored to make it 3-1. Anthony Porter then grounded out to second and Diedrich scored to make it 3-2. Valparaiso closer Jarad Miller cam in and hit Mike Turjanica on a 2-2 pitch, but Clayton grounded out to end the threat.

The Penguins play a doubleheader at West Virginia Monday, and play host to Kent State Tuesday at Cene Park at 7 p.m., before visiting Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a three-game set Thursday and Friday.

YSU then hosts the Horizon League tournament May 20-24 at Eastwood Field.