Dayton, Ohio -- The fourth-seeded Youngstown State baseball team suffered a 13-2 loss to fifth-seeded Oakland in the opening round of the 2025 Horizon League Baseball Championship on Wednesday afternoon at Nischwitz Stadium. With the setback to the Golden Grizzlies, the Penguins will now face sixth-seeded Purdue Fort Wayne in an elimination game on Wednesday night at approximately 7 p.m.
Youngstown State posted a single tally in the bottom of the second inning to jump in front before Oakland tied the score with a single run in the top of the third. The Golden Grizzlies proceeded to score three runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to build a 7-1 lead. Oakland added four runs in the sixth and two in the seventh while YSU plated a single run in the sixth. With their victory over the Penguins, the Golden Grizzlies advance to face top-seeded Wright State on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Oakland starter Hunter Pidek allowed two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over nine innings in a complete-game victory. The senior right-hander blanked the Penguins in seven different frames while throwing 136 pitches.
Nathan Beckley led YSU offensively by going 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored while Brayden Kuriger also tripled and scored a run. Tommy Rover added a single and two walks while Nic Goodwin singled twice and drove in a run.
YSU starter Brandon Mikos allowed eight runs on eight hits and four walks over five innings on the mound in a losing effort. Phil Brennaman was responsible for five runs on three hits in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen while Nate Ross came on to toss 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.
The Penguins struck first with a single run in the bottom of the second inning. Beckley hit a two-out triple to center field and Goodwin followed with an RBI single up the middle to give YSU a 1-0 edge.
The Golden Grizzlies pushed across a single run of their own in the bottom of the second to even the score at 1-1. Sam Griffith hit a leadoff single, advanced to third when Trent Rice reached on an error and scored on a failed pickoff attempt to first base.
Oakland moved in front 4-1 with three runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. John Lauinger hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a groundout, stole third and scored on a bunt single from Ben Clark to give the Golden Grizzlies the lead. Griffith followed with a two-run double to right field to give Oakland a three-run lead.
Oakland increased its advantage with another three-run inning in the top of the fifth. Matthew McGann hit a leadoff single and scored from third when Carter Hain drew a bases-loaded walk while Brandon Nigh walked and scored when Jack Lux reached on a fielder's choice. Lauinger singled and scored on an RBI groundout by Clark to give the Golden Grizzlies a 7-1 lead.
Oakland pushed its lead to 11-1 on a pair of home runs in the top of the sixth. Rice led off the frame with a solo shot before Hain hit a three-run blast later in the inning.
Youngstown State scored its second and final run in the home half of the sixth as Kuriger tripled and scored on an RBI groundout by Brady Shannon.
The Golden Grizzlies responded with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to lead 13-2. Clark hit a leadoff home run while Griffith reached on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly from McGann.
Youngstown State and Purdue Fort Wayne will face off in an elimination game from Nischwitz Stadium on Wednesday night at approximately 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and YSNLive.com.
