YSU loses in 13 innings to Ohio

Staff report

ATHENS

Youngstown State committed three errors and the last one did in the Penguins.

A fielding error in the bottom of the 13th inning gave Ohio an extra out, and the Bobcats took advantage to defeat Youngstown State, 5-4, in a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday night.

Wes O’Neill of Ohio led off the winning rally with a walk, then went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jensen Painter.

Kory Burkhart then sent a grounder to short, but David Leon of YSU was charged with a throwing error, putting runners at the corners with one out.

Bryan Barnes then flew out to left field, deep enough for O’Neill to score the winning run.

The run ended a seesaw game that saw YSU lead 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3, the last time in the 10th inning, only to have the Bobcats rally.

Jeremy Banks hit a pair of solo home runs for the Penguins (11-31), and Leon hit one. Banks also had a RBI double in the 10th inning to give Youngstown State the lead before OU (20-24) rallied.

Erik Okleson was the hard-luck loser for the Penguins. He pitched the final 22/3 innings, not allowing a hit, but his walk to O’Neill — his third — set up the winning rally.

Youngstown State used four other pitchers, including starter Blake Aquadro, who allowed two earned runs in six innings.

Youngstown State plays host to Milwaukee in a three-game Horizon League series starting Friday at Eastwood Park.