College of Charleston used an 11-run sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and pull away for a 14-5 victory over the Youngstown State baseball team on Saturday afternoon at Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
The Cougars scored single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings to build a 3-0 lead before the Penguins evened the score with three runs in the top of the sixth. College of Charleston responded by scoring 11 runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth to pull away for the series victory. YSU added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to produce the final margin.
Youngstown State falls to 0-5 on the season while College of Charleston improves to 6-0.
Trey Law went 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI singles and a stolen base to lead the Penguins offensively. Derrick Tarpley Jr. went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base while Alejandro Covas was 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Matt Thompson also had a two-hit day as YSU outhit College of Charleston 13-8 while leaving a total of 13 runners on base. The Penguins posted season highs with five runs and 13 hits in Saturday's setback.
YSU starter Sloan Ulrich surrendered three runs on three hits and four walks with two strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision. Aidan English took the loss after allowing two runs on a pair of walks in the decisive bottom of the sixth inning. English was one of four Penguin relievers to allow multiple runs in the sixth, and he was one of nine YSU pitchers to appear in the game.
The Cougars jumped ahead 1-0 when Kevin Madden led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run to right field. College of Charleston plated its second run on a two-out RBI single by Cole Singsank in the home half of the fourth. The Cougars built a 3-0 lead in the fifth when Luke Wood drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a wild pitch.
The Penguins countered with three runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning to tie the score at 3-3. Covas hit a one-out double and scored on an RBI single by Tarpley Jr. before Law and Brett Stanley came through with back-to-back RBI singles with two outs.
College of Charleston answered with 11 runs on five hits in the bottom of sixth to regain a 14-3 advantage. Madden drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a wild pitch before Wood drew a bases-loaded walk. Dylan Johnson delivered an RBI single, Dariyan Pendergrass walked with the bases loaded and Cole Mathis was hit by a pitch in the next at bat to force in another run. Trotter Harlan followed with a grand slam to right field before Sorrentino and Wood each added a two-out RBI single to conclude the rally.
CofC starter Aidan Hunter allowed four hits and fanned five batters over five scoreless innings of work in a no-decision. Emmett Bice was awarded the victory after permitting three runs on five hits with two strikeouts in his lone inning of relief.
The Penguins and Cougars will conclude their three-game series on Sunday. First pitch at Patriots Point is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on FloSports.
