YSU’s Koehnlein goes 5-for-8 in doubleheader against Valpo

By Greg Gulas

The Penguins won the first game 8-4, but lost the nightcap 6-5.

NILES — On Senior Day, it was only fitting that Youngstown State’s lone senior, John Koehnlein, have a career day at the plate.

It seemed only apropos then that a sophomore pitcher, Phil Klein, steal the show with the help of Koehnlein in the first game of the Penguins’ Horizon League doubleheader with Valparaiso University at Eastwood Field.

Klein pitched seven strong innings, scattered five hits and struck out 12 Crusaders batters en route to an 8-4 victory in the opener, while Koehnlein went 5-for-8 on the day and led a rally, albeit one that fell short during a 6-5 loss in the nightcap.

“My fastball was working all game and while my offspeed pitch wasn’t as good as it has been in the past, I was able to keep it low and hit my spots in order to keep their runners off the bases,” said Klein.

“I cannot thank my defense enough. Coach [Rich] Pasquale preaches to us that it’s nine guys against one batter so I always feel confident that when a ball is hit, it is usually going to be chewed up by those around me.”

Pasquale couldn’t have been more proud of his second-year pitcher.

“Phil was just unbelievable today. He kept the ball down, used his defense and the location of his pitches was absolutely tremendous.

“He’s been our go-to guy, dating back to our series with the University of Georgia in mid-February. Every time he steps on the mound he just gives us a chance to win.

“That’s all you can ask of a player,” Pasquale stated.

In the opener, Klein struck out a career high 12 Valparaiso batters to improve to 4-1 on the year and when combined with his 10 strikeout performance during last Saturday’s 13-4 victory at Valparaiso, 22 of his team-high 72 punch outs have come against the Crusaders.

“We had the same game plan this weekend as last against Valparaiso. Coach [Pasquale] told us that since we had their hitters’ tendencies fresh in our minds, then as long as we use the same approach we should be all right,” Klein stated.

The Penguins raced to a 6-0 lead through the first four innings of play, courtesy of a four-run second frame which was keyed by Derek Carr’s two-run single and run-scoring triple by Koehnlein.

The Crusaders’ Kyle Gaedele erased Klein’s no-hit bid and shutout with one swing in the top of the fifth with his fourth homer of the season to pull Valparaiso to 6-1.

Each team scored a run in the sixth inning and Valparaiso then added two more tallies in the eighth, courtesy of back-to-back home runs by Andrew Quinette and Ryan O’Gara, but that was the closest they would get the rest of the way.

In the nightcap, YSU spotted Valparaiso a 6-2 advantage through four and a half innings of play, then scored three times in their half of the fifth on run-scoring singles by Koehnlein and Jeremy Banks to cut the Crusaders’ lead to 6-5.

That was all the offense either team could generate the rest of the way, however, as Penguin relievers tossed five complete innings of scoreless ball led by Jimmy Kinnick and Anthony Munoz, who combined to fan seven while allowing just two hits the remainder of the way.

“It was a great win in game one and a hard loss to take in the nightcap. Phil [Klein] was absolutely amazing in the opener but despite the loss, our relievers were exceptional in the nightcap.

“I am speechless as to how to describe our bullpen and their performance today. We’re banged up at many positions yet we find a way to get things done,” Koehnlein added.

Of Koehnlein’s five hits, three went for extra bases including a double in the opener and a triple in each contest.

“John [Koehnlein] is just a player who is willing to do everything we ask of him, whether it is play third base or any of the outfield positions.

“During my two years here he has been very respectful of everyone, works hard daily at his craft and has matured into a very special man,” Pasquale noted.

With Saturday’s split, the Penguins improved to 14-33 overall, completing league play with a 10-14 mark.

Valparaiso is 25-21 overall and 10-10 in the league with five conference games remaining.

YSU will play at West Virginia on Monday and then host Toledo and Buffalo on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, to close out the regular season.

They await the tournament pairing next weekend.