The Youngstown State baseball team scored the final six runs to make a late push but could not overcome a sizable early deficit in a 13-9 setback at Ohio State on Wednesday evening at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeyes went ahead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning before the Penguins responded with three two-out runs in the top of the second to move in front. Ohio State answered with three runs in the home half of the second to take a 5-3 advantage, and it went on to add eight runs over its next four at bats to build a 13-3 edge.
Youngstown State chipped away at Ohio State's lead with three runs in the top of the seventh and two more in the eighth to get within striking distance. However, the Penguins managed only a single run in the ninth as the Buckeyes held on for the non-conference victory.
Brett Stanley and Chase Franken had two hits apiece while Stanley, Alejandro Covas, Matt Thompson and Teddy Ruffner each drove in two runs. YSU scored its nine runs on nine hits while OSU posted 13 runs on 13 hits. Seven different Penguins recorded a hit while seven different YSU players scored a run.
YSU starter Aidan English suffered the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and three walks over two innings on the mound. Lane Rhodes and Gavin Wilms each surrendered four runs on four hits out of the bullpen while Mitchell Seymour allowed one hit while recording the final two outs of the sixth inning. Chris Domke came on to work two scoreless innings of relief as he retired the side in order in both the seventh and eighth innings.
After Ohio State scored twice in the bottom of the first to take an early lead, YSU countered with three runs in the top of the second inning. Eli Brown drew a one-out walk and Franken followed with a base hit to set up a two-out RBI single from Trey Law. Stanley then delivered a two-run single to left field that put the Penguins ahead 3-2.
After the Buckeyes plated 11 consecutive runs between the second and sixth innings to take a 10-run lead, the Penguins began their late rally with three runs in the top of the seventh. RJ Sherwood drew a leadoff walk and scored when Thompson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. After a pitching change, Ruffner greeted the new OSU reliever with a two-run single that brought YSU within 13-6.
Youngstown State shaved Ohio State's lead to 13-8 with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning. Franken began the frame with a perfectly placed bunt single, and Sherwood followed with a single to center field. After a walk by Stanley loaded the bases, Covas came through with a two-run single through the left side. The final run of the midweek contest came in the top of the ninth when Thompson led off the inning with his fourth home run of the season.
Ohio State reliever Hunter Shaw was awarded the victory after allowing three runs on three hits with four strikeouts over a team-high three innings of work. OSU starter Colin Purcell tossed one scoreless inning while Jake Michalak worked two scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
Henry Kaczmar led the Buckeyes with three hits while Isaac Cadena had two hits and drove in four runs from the leadoff spot.
The Penguins will return home to Eastwood Field to begin a three-game Horizon League series with Wright State on Friday at 11 a.m. It will be the annual Akron Children's Hospital of Mahoning Valley School Day Game with hundreds of area students in attendance.
