Oakland scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to erase a three-run deficit and defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 15-5 in the Horizon League series finale on Sunday at the Oakland Baseball Field in Rochester, Mich.
The Penguins built a 4-1 lead before the Golden Grizzlies erupted for eight runs in home half of the fourth to take control of the contest. Oakland salvaged the series finale in seven innings after being swept by YSU in a doubleheader on Friday.
Youngstown State had its three-game winning streak snapped to drop to 7-23 overall and 4-8 in Horizon League play while Oakland improved to 8-25 overall and 3-9 against league opponents.
Kyle Fossum went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and his 14th home run of the season. The senior outfielder became just the second player in program history to hit at least 14 home runs in a season, joining Andrew Kendrick who set the single-season school record with 17 homers in 2017.
YSU starter Brandon Mikos allowed one run on two hits and two walks over three innings. Sloan Ulrich was responsible for three runs while Phil Brennaman was the losing pitcher after permitting five runs during Oakland eight-run fourth inning.
Youngstown State went ahead quickly as Fossum led off the contest with his 14th home run of the season. The Penguins scored another single run in the top of the second as Nathan Beckley doubled and scored on a bunt single by Garrett Cutting.
Oakland got on the board in the bottom of the first to cut YSU's lead in half. Taylor Tomlin singled and scored on a two-out RBI double by Matthew McGann.
Youngstown State pushed its lead to 3-1 with another single run in the top of the third inning. Tommy Rover walked, advanced to third on a double by Cole Smith and scored when Cutting reached on an error. YSU's advantage swelled to 4-1 in the top of the fourth as Eli Brown walked and scored on Fossum's RBI double down the left field line.
The Golden Grizzlies struck for eight runs on five hits in the home half of the fourth inning to gain a 9-4 edge. McGann hit a leadoff single and scored on an RBI double by Ben Clark while Carter Hain walked and scored on a wild pitch. Clark came around to score on an RBI groundout from Sam Griffith while Boston Halloran reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Nigh. Trent Rice walked and raced home on a wild pitch while Tomlin singled and scored after John Lauinger stole second base. McGann hit a two-out, two-run home run to drive in Lauinger and cap Oakland's eight-run rally.
The Penguins scored their final run in the top half of the fifth as Jay Wrona singled and scored on an RBI single by Jack Johnson.
The Golden Grizzlies put up a single tally in the bottom of the sixth as Lauinger singled, stole second and scored on Clark's RBI double. Oakland added three runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the seven-inning victory.
Oakland's Ethan Glassman was awarded the victory after tossing 2.1 scoreless innings of relief as the last of five pitchers for the Golden Grizzlies.
Youngstown State will begin a five-game homestand on Tuesday by hosting Pitt. First pitch at Eastwood Field is scheduled for 5 p.m. and live audio will be available at YSNLive.com.
