Glenn powers YSU past Oakland

YSU gets top seed Wright State next

Staff report

Fairborn

The Youngstown State baseball team beat Oakland 4-1 in Wednesday’s opening round of the 2018 Horizon League Baseball Championship at Nischwitz Stadium. The Penguins earned their first win in the league tournament since winning the championship in 2014.

The Golden Grizzlies (15-32) took a 1-0 lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Trovinger. The Penguins tied the game in the sixth before scoring two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to advance into the winner’s bracket.

“I think that was probably the best baseball we’ve played all year,” YSU head coach Dan Bertolini said. “In all aspects — pitching, defense and timely hitting — our guys really stepped up today with everything on the line. I think we are hitting our stride at the right time. Hats off to Oakland and Jake Lee, who pitched a great game. We are looking forward to coming back and competing again tomorrow.”

Blaze Glenn, Trey Bridis, Nick Massey and Andrew Kendrick each recorded two hits to lead the Penguins (18-36). Glenn hit a pair of doubles, scored two of YSU’s four runs and drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning. YSU’s Joel Hake and Austin Butler combined to pitch five innings of shutout relief after a strong start by Alex Bellardini.

Butler earned the win, allowing just two hits and striking out four in four scoreless innings. Bellardini allowed one run on just two hits over four innings.

Oakland starter Jake Lee allowed one run on four hits and struck out 12 batters over seven innings.

Glenn tied the game at 1 after he doubled and stole third. Glenn scored on throwing error by Oakland catcher Mike McGee.

Glenn drove in Massey with an RBI double to left to give YSU a 2-1 lead in the eighth. YSU added two more runs on an RBI single by Kendrick and a sacrifice fly by Massey.

Oakland’s Nate Schweers suffered the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in two innings of work.

YSU will play Wright State tomorrow at 11 a.m. West Branch gradute Kip DeShields will make his seventh start of the season for the Penguins.