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Canisius rallies to beat YSU

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Staff report

BUFFALO, N.Y.

Canisius got seven shutout innings from its bullpen and completed a rally with two runs in the ninth inning to beat the Youngstown State baseball team, 7-6, on Wednesday at the Demske Sports Complex.

The Penguins led 6-0 after three innings following a five-run top of the third, but three Golden Griffins relievers combined to allow just two hits and a walk the rest of the game. Canisius (25-14) scored a run in the fourth and a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings to set up a dramatic ninth.

With the Penguins ahead 6-5, YSU reliever Kevin Yarabinec started the bottom of the ninth by hitting Brett Siddall. Jose Torralba then laid down a bunt down the third-base line, and YSU third baseman Matt Sullivan threw high to first trying to retire him. Penguins second baseman Phil Lipari backed up the throw, but his throw to third to try and retire pinch runner Mike Krische went out of play. That allowed Krische to score the tying run, and Torralba advanced to third. Two batters later, Christ Conley’s sacrifice fly to left center off Josh North brought in the winning run.

YSU starter Ryan Krokos surrendered just three runs on six hits in five innings and handed the ball to the bullpen in line for the win with a 6-3 lead.

After the Penguins chased Canisius starter Zachary Trumpler with nobody out in the third inning, senior left-hander Mike Tolsma came in and retired 15 of the 16 batters he faced. Tyler Soucie pitched the eighth, and Iannick Remillard earned the win after throwing the ninth.

Sullivan hit his first career home run to lead off the top of the second, and Brent Gillespie also hit his first career home run in the five-run third inning. Seven different Penguins had hits.

YSU (8-26) will open a three-game series at Milwaukee on Friday at 4 p.m.