Two errors by Penguins help Golden Flashes seize control in fifth

Staff report

KENT

The Youngstown State baseball team jumped out to a 6-2 lead, but Kent State scored five runs in the fifth and five more in the eighth to beat the Penguins 12-6 on a chilly Tuesday afternoon at Schoonover Stadium.

The Penguins (5-16) scored three runs in the top of the first and led 6-2 after scoring three times in the fourth. However, Kent State (13-11) scored the last 10 runs of the contest for the come-from-behind victory.

In the first, the Penguins’ first three batters scored as Frank Califano, Alex Larivee and Jake Fryman all plated runs. Califano opened the game with a double and Larivee followed with a base hit. Fryman singled to score Califano and on an errant throw by the shotstop, Larivee came home to put YSU in front 2-0. With two outs, Josh Fitch singled to score Fryman.

Kent State scored twice in the bottom of the second inning before the Guins picked up three more runs in the fourth.

In the fourth, Trey Bridis and Matt Sullivan opened the inning with singles. Bridis came home on a throwing error by the pitcher to put the Guins in front 4-2. With no outs and the bases loaded, Alex Larivee doubled to left field to score Sullivan and Kevin Hix. However, the Guins stranded runners at second and third with no one out as three straight hitters popped up in the infield.

The Golden Flashes struck for five unearned runs in the fifth to go in front 7-6. Kent scored two runs when the Penguins made two errors on the same play. With YSU in front 6-4, it had two outs, but KSU scored three runs to seize the lead.

Kent State picked up some insurance runs in the eighth. The first came home on a sacrifice bunt to make it 8-6 with two outs. However, three straight walks and a two-run single by Brad Hamilton made for the final margin.

Chris Martin pitched three innings for the victory. Ryan Krokos (2-3) took the loss for YSU.

Fitch led an 11-hit onslaught with three hits while Califano and Larivee had two hits each. Joe King had a solid start, pitching four innings and allowing just two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.

The Penguins will be at home on Thursday when they host Oakland at Eastwood Field. First pitch for the first game of a scheduled doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.