Brayden Kuriger hit his first career home run as the Youngstown State baseball team dropped an 11-2 decision to Akron on Wednesday afternoon at Skeeles Field in Akron, Ohio.
The Penguins plated a single run in the top of the first before the Zips scored in four of their first five at bats on the way to earning the midweek non-conference victory. Youngstown State falls to 1-6 on the season while Akron improves to 3-4.
Kuriger, the junior transfer outfielder from Nicholls, hit the first home run of his collegiate career while driving in both of YSU's runs in the contest. Kyle Fossum went 3-for-5 with three singles as the Penguins were outhit by the Zips 6-5.
YSU starter Thomas Fowler suffered the loss after allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in one inning of work in his debut as a Penguin. Nate Ross tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts as one of five relievers to appear for Youngstown State. Gavin Wilms struck out the side in the eighth in his first appearance of the season.
The Penguins struck first with a single run in the top of the first inning. Cole Smith drew a one-out walk and scored when Kuriger drew a bases-loaded walk to give YSU a 1-0 lead.
The Zips answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead. Jack Poist reached on a fielder's choice and scored when A Horvath drew a bases-loaded walk. Blake Bowen walked and scored on an RBI groundout from Ian Pennington to put Akron in front. The Zips added three runs on two hits in the home half of the third to increase their advantage to 5-1.
Youngstown State got back on the board in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to right field from Kuriger.
The Zips pushed their lead back to four runs at 6-2 with a single tally in the bottom of the fourth. Evan Bottone hit a leadoff single and scored on a sacrifice fly from Max Bowman. Akron posted five runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 11-2. Bottone brought home the first run with a sacrifice fly, Bowen drew a bases-loaded walk and Bowman delivered a two-out three-run triple.
Akron starter Elijah Griffith was awarded the win after allowing two runs, one of them earned, on three hits and striking out five batters over four innings. Four different Zips relievers combined to limit the Guins to one hit over the final five frames.
Youngstown State will return to Texas this weekend for a four-game series at UTSA beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
