Youngstown --The Youngstown State baseball team will try to play its first non-conference game in three weeks with scheduled contests against No. 24 Kent State and Duquesne.
    YSU plays at Kent State at 3 p.m. on Tuesday before making its debut at Cene Park - a second home in nearby Struthers, Ohio - against the Dukes on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
    The Penguins, winners of five of their last six games after a 4-20 start, have seen inclement weather force the cancellation of its last three non-conference games. YSU has not played a game outside of its Horizon League schedule since a rain-shortened contest at Pittsburgh on March 25.
    Since that time, the Penguins' starting pitching has improved dramatically. The staff ERA has dropped more than two runs (8.79 to 6.65) thanks to a 2.15 ERA over the last nine games. In 18 non-conference games, YSU has a 9.47 ERA.
    Tuesday's game against Kent State will be the first of three meetings between the teams this season. YSU lost 12-7 at Duquesne on March 24.

Right Off The Bat

• YSU has not played a full non-conference game since March 24 at Duquesne. Ten straight games were affected by poor weather.
• Tuesday's probable starter, Ryan Messmer, has not pitched since March 25 at Pittsburgh.
• YSU's last win over a ranked opponent was a doubleheader sweep of No. 29 Oral Roberts on April 18, 1999.
• The Penguins' last win at Kent State was May 7, 2005 (10-6).
• Eight of YSU's last 17 games have been decided by one run. The Penguins have gone 3-5 in those contests.