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YSU rallies for split against Kent State
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YSU’s Phil Lipari, right, slides home safely as Kent State catcher Jeff Revesz (27) tries to handle a throw during the first game of a doubleheader at Eastwood Field in Niles. KSU won the first game, 11-7, but YSU took the second, 7-4.
By Steve Wilaj
NILES
It was the same tale for both games of the doubleheader between Youngstown State and Kent State on Tuesday: each was decided in one inning.
KSU used a six-run seventh inning for an 11-7 game one victory, while the Penguins used a seven-run sixth inning to capture game two, 7-4, as the teams split at Eastwood Field.
“That’s pretty crazy,” YSU coach Steve Gillispie said. “Both bullpens are better than what they probably showed today in closing out games.”
In game one, YSU (5-21) took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Matt Sullivan and Josh White each recorded RBI singles. Alex Frey then entered in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded and no outs, but escaped while only allowing one run.
The Penguins tacked on a run in the bottom half of the sixth with a run-scoring suicide squeeze by Phil Lipari. But then KSU (20-11) exploded for six seventh-inning runs, four coming off Frey (0-1).
Cody Koch’s two-run single tied the game and T.J. Sutton followed with a single of his own to put the Golden Flashes ahead for good.
“It was a little surprising Frey and our bullpen didn’t have a little more success than they did today,” Gillispie said. “They’re gonna get the opportunities again, but I guess it just wasn’t their night.”
Lipari finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while White also had two hits. Koch and Jeff Revesz each paced Kent State with two hits and two RBIs.
“The first game was a tough one because we had it and let it get away from us,” White said. “The second game, their pitcher was throwing well, but we just waited him out and got those runs at the end of the game.”
The Penguins fell behind 4-0 in the second game as KSU’s Michael Clark struck out 12 through the first five innings. But YSU fought back to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth with six unearned runs.
Kevin Hix scored on an error, White hit a run-scoring single, Sullivan scored on an error and Jason Shirley hit an RBI single to tie the contest.
Shirley and Lipari then scored on wild pitches by KSU pitcher Josh Pierce (0-1). Finally, Hix gave YSU a three-run advantage on a suicide squeeze.
“It’s a credit to our guys to keep playing and keep pumping away,” Gillispie said. “We haven’t always played well this year, but we’ve always kept playing. So that was a positive.”
Anthony Konders pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save for the Penguins. Jeremy Quinlan started, allowing two earned runs in four innings. Ryan Smith earned the win, as he pitched a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
“Jeremy did a great job of getting us started under control and giving us a chance to climb back in,” White said. “Then the bullpen came in and shut the door like they’re capable of doing.”
White had two more hits in the second game to finish the day 4-for-7 at the plate.
“I think we take from this that when we play clean and put defense and pitching and hitting together, we can pretty much play with anybody,” Gillispie said.