43
7 hours later, YSU has two more losses
By Jon moffett
NILES
There wasn’t a whole lot head coach Rich Pasquale had to say after his Youngstown State baseball team was swept in Friday’s marathon doubleheader at Eastwood Field.
The Penguins were on the field for a combined seven hours and 20 innings. They left with nothing to show for it, losing to Wright State 10-6 in the first game, and 17-7 in the second.
“You could say that we battled and came back, and yeah, we did, but we had opportunities and we didn’t do it,” Pasquale said.
The Penguins (19-23, 7-8 Horizon League) experienced just as much mental exhaustion as physical. Trailing 7-4 in the bottom of the eight inning of game two, the Penguins scored three runs to tie the contest. But the Penguins couldn’t capitalize.
Then came the top of the 11th inning.
The Raiders (22-17, 11-4) scored 10 runs in the 11th inning and all but wrapped up the game. The Penguins ended the game on a double play followed by a strikeout.
A visibly frustrated Pasquale said a team can’t become lackadaisical against a tough opponent like Wright State.
“They are unbelievable two-strike hitters, with guys on, with two outs,” Pasquale said. “They got it done. They seized the moment of each inning, and we didn’t do that.”
The Penguins had 10 hits in the first game, and added a dozen more in the second. But Pasquale said it takes more to win than just slugging.
“You can say we came back, or whatever, and we’re always doing that. But somebody’s has got to step up and get a hit when we need it” he said. “We had our opportunities late to win the game, and we just didn’t do it.”
In addition to hitting, Pasquale said the pitching was also disappointing. The Raiders had a total of 33 hits, 22 in the second game. The Penguins used seven pitchers in the second game.
“The pitchers have to come in and get their jobs down,” he said. “The starter can only go so far ... The other guys coming in have to shut the door, and they didn’t get it done.
“You want to win a conference game? That has to happen,” Pasquale. “When your number is called, you have to get it done. And we have to find a way, and we’re not finding ways to win right now.”
Pasquale hopes his team can salvage the series with Wright State, which culminates today at noon. It will be the Penguins’ final home game this season.
Pasquale praised Wright State’s ability, but said he expects a better effort out of his team.
“It’s tough losing at home, because you’re in your home ballpark and there’s no excuse,” Pasquale said.
Perhaps the most disappointing the for Pasquale was another Horizon League loss.
“It’s conference,” Pasquale said. “They know. And you’ve got to say something like that, then they shouldn’t be putting a uniform on. I’ve got to find a way to put the right nine out there, and we’ve got to find a way to win.”