Errors hurt YSU in 1-run defeat

CHICAGO — The University of Illinois-Chicago baseball team scored its second unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to pick up its second one-run victory in two days over the Youngstown State baseball team.

The Flames defeated the Penguins, 3-2, on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon at Les Miller Field to remain undefeated (6-0) in Horizon League play.

The Flames scored in the ninth without recording a hit. Four of YSU’s five league losses have come in its opponents’ last at bat.

The wind, cited at 19 miles per hour near first pitch, caused a role in both of the unearned runs. Both came after dropped fly balls in right field.

“I was very pleased with our pitching this weekend,” YSU head coach Rich Pasquale said. “That’s definitely a positive for us heading forward. It’ll definitely be good to come home and hit last.”

YSU has played 23 of its first 24 games on the road.

Jacke Healey, batting in the leadoff spot for the first time this season, started the game with a double to left.

He advanced to third on Jeremy Banks’ single up the middle and scored on a double play.

Trailing 2-1, the Penguins tied the score in the fifth when David Leon drew a five-pitch walk and Eric Marzec laced an RBI triple to center.

In the ninth, the Flames’ Ty Rubio reached to start the inning when Eric Hymel couldn’t come up with a line drive hit right at him that the wind played tricks on.

Altavilla sacrificed him to second, and reliever Anthony Munoz intentionally walked Andy Leonard to create the possibility for an inning-ending double play.

Ganek hit the first pitch of his at bat up the middle that deflected off Munoz. The pitcher tried to recover and turn the double play, but Ganek beat the relay from second.

Klein provided his best start of the season, allowing one earned run on four hits in six innings in a no-decision. Munoz was tagged with the loss despite throwing effectively for 2.2 innings.

Mike Kool held the Penguins to two runs on five hits and three walks in eight innings as UIC’s starter.

Derrick Miramontes earned his second win of the series in relief as he struck out the side in the top of the ninth.

The Penguins will play 14 of their next 16 games at home, starting with Wednesday’s game against Akron. First pitch at Eastwood Field is set for 3 p.m.

Softball

DAYTON — Junior Cheryl Cale pitched a complete-game five-hitter to lead the Youngstown State softball team to a 6-2 win in game two of a doubleheader against Wright State (14-14, 2-3 Horizon).

Sophomore Kim Klonowski and freshman Kristen Philen each tallied three hits.

The Penguins (4-18, 2-3 Horizon League) dropped the opener, 7-0.

Cale (3-8), who has not allow an earned run in 24 consecutive innings, allowed just one hit and three baserunners over the last five innings.

Klonowski went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and a run driven in.

Trailing 2-0, Klonowski led off the top of the sixth inning with a double to center field. Pinch runner Melanie Conklin stole third and scored on Philen’s single through the left side.

Tasha Hess pinch-ran for Ashley Conger, who walked, then scored on Amanda Palmore’s base-loaded walk.

Philen scored the go-ahead run when Haley Thomas walked with the bases loaded.

The Penguins and Raiders close out the three-game series today at noon.