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YSU gets needed victory
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Youngstown State’s Padriac Williams throws to first base for the double play after stepping on second base to force out Akron’s Dan Burant during Tuesday’s game at Eastwood Field.
NILES
It may have been Youngstown State that had the zip in the Penguins’ 8-4 win over Akron at Eastwood Field on Tuesday.
After Drew Dosch’s two-run home run in the first inning gave YSU a 2-0 lead, Akron (8-15) stayed close until Youngstown (3-19) erupted for five runs in the sixth.
The 3-2 inside fastball was a charm for the sophomore from Columbus.
“He threw me a couple fastballs, so I got to see him,” Dosch said of several pitches before his homer. “Finally, I timed him up and squared up and hit one good,” he said of a lefty vs. lefty arrangement from Zips starting pitcher Matt Gebacz (0-3).
Dosch’s hit into the bullpen over the right-field wall was the season’s third home run for Youngstown’s top-average hitter.
But equally as significant was Ryan Krokos’ first collegiate start.
“I give credit to our guys for holding off and having good approaches at the plate,” Youngstown coach Rich Pasquale said of the bottom of the sixth inning. “But the big thing was Ryan’s start and giving us five solid innings and Drew giving us that home run to get us going. “We had a lead, and Ryan kept us there.”
Pasquale put an emphasis on his batters drawing four walks in the sixth.
“It showed the good approaches at the plate that our guys had,” he said.
Pasquale was among those relieved by the win.
“They’re working hard every game and they’re running everything out,” the coach said of a little-to-show 2-19 record before Tuesday.
“We practice well, but you’ve got to get a win,” Pasquale said. “You can’t just say, ‘Hey, you’re doing well’ and feel good with pats on the back and all the hang-in-theres. You’ve got to get a win, and they deserve this.”
Krokos (2-1), a redshirt freshman from Brecksville, was relieved to get Brady Stewart to strike out to end the first inning after Tyler Begun’s double left him on second base.
“It built up some momentum, and I was just happy to keep getting outs after that,” Krokos said of holding a 2-0 lead that closed to 2-1 when Akron scored in the top of the sixth.
Krokos said his first start wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.
“To be honest, it’s the same game you’re playing your whole life: pitch, throw strikes and you’ll be fine,” he said.
Of the desperately needed win, especially a meaningful win over Akron, Krokos said: “I think it’s a step in the right direction. We’re going to keep the momentum going.”
The Penguins play at Akron today.
Jared Turocy of Canfield had four at-bats, the last of which was an RBI single.
“I’m struggling in my swing, but it’s a work in progress,” the junior said. “I’m just glad I got a hit on that last at-bat [in the eighth]. I’m trying to make it a more consistent thing.”
Defensively, Turocy had seven putouts, including a diving right-handed catch in the third.
“The ball was carrying a lot today, so it was an opportunity to make a dive at it, and it worked out in my favor this time,” he said.
Although Akron started the season 0-7 before going 8-7, Turocy was asked about the Zips’ lackluster performance against Youngstown.
“We struggled putting things together — got a lot of runners in scoring position that we didn’t capitalize on,” he said. “We’ve done better [turning a 0-7 start into 8-14] to this point this year, but we’re also working toward getting better. It’s baby steps. I have a feeling we’re going to tie it up real soon [get even with YSU in today’s game in Akron at Canal Park].”