Valparaiso sweeps YSU baseball

Staff report

NILES

Valparaiso used a pair of big second innings and strong pitching to sweep a Horizon League doubleheader from the Youngstown State baseball team on Friday at Eastwood Field.

The Crusaders scored nine of their 11 runs in the doubleheader in the second innings, and all nine of those second-inning runs came with two outs. Valparaiso won the opener 6-2 and the nightcap 5-3.

Phil Lipari led the Penguins with five hits in the doubleheader.

In the opener, the Penguins did all of their scoring in the second inning. YSU loaded the bases before recording an out when David Saluga reached on an error, Lorenzo Arcuri walked and Josh White singled. Kevin Hix brought in Saluga with a single to right, and Phil Lipari drew a walk two batters later to plate Arcuri. Webb got out of the inning by getting Alex Larivee to ground into a double play.

Josh White and Lipari both had two hits to lead YSU.

In the second game, the Penguins scored three runs in the bottom of the third. Jake Fryman reached on an error to start the inning, and he came in on back-to-back singles by Shane Willoughby and Lipari. Lipari moved up on Jason Shirley’s bunt, and White plated two runs on a single to center.

RUPE TO REGIONALS

LOUISVILLE, KY.

YSU junior Eric Rupe posted a personal-best time of 8:57.62 in the steeplechase on Friday at the Cardinal Twilight at Louisville’s Cardinal Track Stadium. Rupe’s time moves him into the top 30 in the country in the event and more than likely lands him a spot in the NCAA East preliminary round later this month in Jacksonville, Fla.

Rupe entered Friday’s meet with a personal-best time of 9:05.41. He joins teammate Austin McLean, who is just under Rupe’s effort at 8:57.59, as Penguins who should advance to the NCAA competition in the steeplechase.

The Penguins expect to qualify Bobby Grace (shot put), John Seaver (shot put), McLean and Rupe (steeplechase), Jay Jakovina and Arnaldo Morales (high jump), Conner New (hammer) and Jessica Parham (javelin).

YSU senior Samantha Hamilton is in contention to advance in the 10K following a career-best and school-record effort last night.

The field for both NCAA East and West preliminary rounds will be announced early next week.