10th inning steal of home defeats YSU

Staff report

Chicago

Illinois-Chicago scored a run in the bottom of the ninth and another in the 10th to rally for a 6-5 victory over the Youngstown State baseball team on Sunday at Curtis Granderson Stadium.

The Penguins scored two runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-4 lead, but UIC got an RBI single from Alex Jurich with one out in the ninth to force extra innings.

Mickey McDonald stole home on a trick play with two outs in the 10th as the Flames completed a three-game sweep.

Mike Accardi was 4-for-5 with three RBIs, including one on a go-ahead double in the eighth, for YSU. Kris Moules added three hits and two runs scored. Jurich was 2-for-4 with four RBIs to lead the Flames.

YSU’s Nic Manuppelli had his best start of the season, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in five innings without factoring in the decision. The Penguins issued eight walks in the game, and UIC’s two runners that scored in the ninth and 10th innings reached on walks.

Manuppelli allowed a run on an RBI ground out in the first inning, but it could have been a lot worse. He went to a full count to each of the first four batters, including a 10-pitch at bat to the cleanup hitter.