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Oakland outslugs YSU baseball team
niles
Missed opportunities at the plate in big spots and the inability to get the third out on defense was a recipe for a 10-6 loss for the Youngstown State baseball team, which fell to Oakland on Friday at Eastwood Field.
The Penguins (2-16) outscored the Golden Grizzlies (2-16) 5-1 in the first three innings, and then were on the short end of a 9-1 run the final six innings.
Eight of YSU’s 12 hits came in the first three innings.
“Hitting is contagious,” leftfielder Anthony Rohan said. “Guys were taking good, aggressive swings early in the count and we were feeling good. I’m not sure what happened [in the later innings].”
YSU had a field day against Oakland starter Jake Lee, who went 52/3 innings and gave up five earned runs on 10 hits. But reliever Nate Schweers shut YSU down. He went the final 31/3 innings, allowing just two hits.
“They made an adjustment in the fourth of fifth innings and located some breaking pitches,” YSU head coach Dan Bertolini said.
For YSU, starting pitcher Collin Floyd went 41/3 innings, giving up four earned runs, eight hits and three walks. He struck out one. Floyd was able to work out of tough spots early, but Oakland eventually cracked the southpaw.
“My team made plays when I needed them,” Floyd said. “They just put a few good swings on pitches. The first inning was a struggle, but I settled in nice after that.”
After racking up three hits in the first three innings, Oakland eventually cracked the dam and ended up with 16 by game’s end. Designated hitter Tyler Pagano went 5 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
YSU’s best chance in the later innings came in the sixth when the Penguins chased Lee after loading the bases with two outs. Rohan got ahead 3-0 in the count but eventually grounded to short, ending the threat.
“I was taking 3-0 and got a fastball right there and took it, then I swung at one on top of the zone,” Rohan said. “I was looking middle, but I got out in front of a 3-2 pitch and grounded out.”
YSU held steady for two innings after allowing Oakland to tie the game at 5. But after two quick outs in the top of the eighth, Zach Sterry singled and stole second, Myles Zilinsky walked, Pagano singled to bring home one run and Matt Dileo singled home two more all with two outs to make it 8-5.
It would be 10-5 after two more in the top of the ninth. Kyle Benyo homered to lead off the bottom of the ninth but it wasn’t enough to ignite a comeback.
“We extended some innings for them in big spots,” Bertolini said. “We were behind in a lot of counts from the fourth inning on. They got good counts and put the bat on the ball.”
Despite the lopsided 2-16 record, Rohan said he believes this isn’t time to panic, especially with a first-year head coach.
“We’re trying to change the program with a new coach and new environment, but it’s a work in progress,” Rohan said. “It’s not a one-year thing. Hopefully we’re going in the right direction.”
YSU hopes that next step in the right direction is today at noon as the Penguins and Golden Grizzlies play a doubleheader at Eastwood Field.