YSU shuts out Kent State for first time since 1979

Staff report

NILES

Four Youngstown State pitchers combined to throw a four-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over Kent State on Wednesday night at Eastwood Field.

It was the Penguins’ first shutout win over Kent State since May 1, 1979.

The Penguins (10-21) and Flashes (20-13) went seven-and-a-half scoreless innings until Brent Gillespie scored the Penguins’ first run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Gillespie singled down the right-field line, and Anthony Rohan moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt with an error.

With nobody out, Jonny Miller singled to center field to plate Gillespie.

Rohan and Miller advanced on Frank Califano’s groundout to third base, and Alex Larivee was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Josh Fitch then singled up the middle for two RBIs to plate Miller and Rohan. YSU had three of its six hits in the inning.

Joe King pitched four innings, giving up one hit and striking out two.

Fitch pitched two innings and had four strikeouts, and Austin Lujano (1-0) got the victory.

Anthony Konders worked around a one-out double, Kent State’s lone extra-base hit, in the ninth to earn his fourth save.

Kent State pitcher John Birkbeck was charged with Gillespie’s run and took the loss.

The Penguins will go on the road against Milwaukee for a three-game series starting on Friday.