Chicago -- UIC scored its second unearned run of the game in the bottom of the ninth to pick up its second one-run victory in two days over the Youngstown State baseball team, 3-2, on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon at Les Miller Field.
The Flames, who are an undefeated 6-0 in Horizon League play, scored in the ninth without recording a hit. Four of YSU's five league losses have come in its opponents' last at bat.
The wind, cited at 19 miles per hour near first pitch, caused a role in both of the unearned runs. Both came after dropped fly balls in right field.
"I was very pleased with our pitching this weekend," YSU head coach Rich Pasquale said. "That's definitely a positive for us heading forward. It'll definitely be good to come home and hit last."
YSU has played 23 of its first 24 games on the road.
Jacke Healey, batting in the leadoff spot for the first time this season, started the game with a double to left. He advanced to third on Jeremy Banks' single up the middle and scored on a double play.
UIC scored its first unearned run in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 1-1. Tony Altavilla left off with a double to left, and he moved to third when Jason Ganek's fly ball to right got caught in the wind and twisted Derek Carr around. Brett Schaefer drove in Altavilla on a ground out to short.
The Flames then took the lead with a manufactured run in the fourth. Schaefer led off with a double, and he scored two batters later after a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly by Jake Carr.
The Penguins tied the score in the fifth after the first two batters were retired. David Leon drew a five-pitch walk, and Eric Marzec laced an RBI triple to center.
UIC nearly took the lead in the fifth as it put runners on second and third with nobody out. Phil Klein struck out Altavilla on a full-count pitch, and right fielder Derek Carr completed a double play by throwing out Steven Humble at the plate. The Flames also left the bases loaded in the sixth.
In the ninth, Ty Rubio reached to start the inning when Eric Hymel couldn't come up with a line drive hit right at him that the wind played tricks on. Altavilla sacrificed him to second, and reliever Anthony Munoz intentionally walked Andy Leonard to create the possibility for an inning-ending double play. Ganek hit the first pitch of his at bat up the middle that deflected off Munoz. The pitcher tried to recover and turn the double play, but Ganek beat the relay from second.
Klein provided his best start of the season, allowing one earned run on four hits in six innings in a no decision. Munoz was tagged with the loss despite throwing effectively for 2.2 innings.
Mike Kool held the Penguins to two runs on five hits and three walks in eight innings as UIC's starter. Derrick Miramontes earned his second win of the series in relief as he struck out the side in the top of the ninth.
The Penguins will play 14 of their next 16 games at home, starting with Wednesday's game against Akron. First pitch at Eastwood Field is set for 3 p.m.
