43
YSU’s homecoming spoiled
By JON MOFFETT
STRUTHERS
Photo
Geoffrey Hauschild|The Vindicator.YSU's Jeremy Banks (3) keeps his eye on Canisius pitcher Matt Thomas (36) while leading off first base during the 8th inning on Wednesday afternoon at Cene Park in Struthers.
The housewarming party didn’t exactly go as planned for the Youngstown State baseball team.
After playing its first 20 games on the road, the Penguins were home for the first time this season on Wednesday.
But Canisius spoiled the party, winning 16-4 at Cene Park in Struthers.
“It started in the first inning,” said YSU coach Rich Pasquale.
“You expect to get a good start, but you don’t. Do you blame the pitchers all the time? No. But when they put up a four-spot, and it’s not even close, it’s tough. We have to have a better start.”
Pasquale and the Penguins (10-11) weren’t able to the good start they expected, and didn’t even get a full inning out of starter Cody Dearth.
Dearth (0-3) lasted only two-thirds of an inning, and gave up four runs (three were earned) on three hits and three walks. He struck out one of the eight batters he faced.
Dearth, a junior, was replaced by senior Corey Vukovic, who pitched 31‚Ñ3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He had one walk and one strikeout.
But the Golden Griffins (15-9) were able to use their early lead, and an eight-run ninth inning to close the book.
Pasquale said it was a combination of pitching, stranding 12 runners on base and inconsistent hitting that ultimately led to the loss.
“Today it just wasn’t there,” Pasquale said.
“We hit the ball hard, and I told the hitters that they’re eventually going to drop ... A lot of times the balls were hit right at them.”
The Penguins had a little bit of life after the eighth inning.
YSU scored one run in the fifth when a base hit by Jacke Healey drove in C.J. Morris, who got on base with a double.
The Penguins scored their other three runs in the bottom of the eighth.
But Canisius took whatever breath was left right out of the Penguins with a monster ninth-inning performance.
Alex Oles, a senior, was forced into the closer’s role after an injury to senior Eric Marzec. Oles gave up eight earned runs on six hits while walking three. He struck out one batter.
“We had Alex in the closer’s role midweek here, and for the most part with Marzec being out,” Pasquale said.
“He just couldn’t throw a strike, and we didn’t have anybody left. That was the biggest thing, is that we didn’t have anybody left.”
The Penguins will play the remainder of their home schedule — 20 of their next 22 games — at Eastwood Field in Niles.
A three-game series against Horizon League foe UIC will be played Friday at 3 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday.
The first game will be at 11 a.m.