Box Score Athens, Ohio – The Youngstown State baseball team scored four runs in the fifth inning and four more in the eighth en route to an 11-4 victory over Ohio on Wednesday afternoon at Bob Wren Stadium.
Jason Shirley was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs, and David Saluga and Brent Gillespie both had two hits. The Penguins had 11 hits, one fewer than the Bobcats, but they drew 10 walks, six more than Ohio. Three of those walks came in the fifth, and two more came in the eighth.
Ohio leadoff batter Mitch Longo was 3-for-4.
The Bobcats scored an unearned run in the bottom of the second to go up 1-0, but YSU scored 11 of the next 12 runs to take control of the game. Shane Willoughby walked, Gillespie doubled and Matt Sullivan walked to load the bases with nobody out in the fifth. Shirley then brought in Willoughby and Gillespie with a two-run single to right. Shirley and Sullivan later scored on a fielder's choice by Alex Larivee.
Shirley and Mike Accardi had RBIs in the sixth to push the lead to 6-2, and the Penguins went on to score four runs on five hits in the eighth to go up 10-2. Larivee, Josh White and Nick DiNello all had RBIs in the inning, and Kevin Hix scored the other run on a passed ball. Kurt Laver scored in the top of the ninth to put the Penguins up 11-2.
Jake Madsen singled in two runs in the bottom of the ninth for the final tally.
Alex Frey was awarded the victory in relief. Starter Brendon Shoemake did not allow an earned run in two innings, and Jared Wight, Frey and Josh North all had scoreless outings.
Youngstown State is scheduled to open Horizon League play on Friday against Wright State at Kelly Automotive Park in Butler, Pa. First pitch is set for noon.
