Penguins score often, late in win over Walsh

Staff report

CHILLICOTHE

The Youngstown State baseball team scored 10 of the final 13 runs and had a season-high 19 hits in defeating Walsh, 13-6, on Sunday at VA Memorial Stadium.

After both teams scored one run in each of the first three innings, the Penguins scored four straight to take a 7-3 lead in the sixth.

The Penguins blew the game open with six runs on seven hits in the eighth. Armani Johnson and Jacke Healey had three hits apiece, with Healey a home run away from hitting for the cycle.

Mark Kelly went 4-for-4 for Walsh.

The Penguins have won three straight games and four of their last five contests to improve to 6-5.

With YSU ahead 4-3 entering In the sixth, Walsh starter David Roper struck out Zac McFarland to start the inning.

But reliever Jared Roberts came in and did not retire any of the four batters he faced. C.J. Morris and Joe Iacobucci walked, Johnson singled, Healey doubled and Eric Marzec had a sacrifice bunt as the Penguins scored three times.

Walsh scored a run in the seventh, and the Crusaders cut the margin to two with another run in the eighth.

The Crusaders had the bases loaded with nobody out in the eighth, but reliever Kevin McCulloh limited them to a sacrifice fly.

The Penguins sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, and Iacobucci had two hits in the inning.

Walsh scored a run with two doubles in the ninth for the final tally.

YSU starter Phil Klein threw five innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits in five innings to earn his first win. Roper was charged with the loss, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out seven in 51‚Ñ3 innings.