Niles, Ohio -- Oakland rallied for a 13-3 victory over the Youngstown State baseball team on Friday in the annual Akron Children's Hospital of Mahoning Valley School Day Game at Eastwood Field.
The Penguins and Golden Grizzlies opened their three-game Horizon League series in front of more than 4,100 area students from more than 40 schools as part of the annual event in collaboration with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
The Penguins scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to jump in front before the Golden Grizzlies struck once in the second and four times in the third to take the lead. Oakland went on to add three runs in the fifth and two in seventh on its way to the seven-inning, series-opening win.
Youngstown State drops to 12-36 overall and 9-16 in Horizon League play while Oakland improves to 15-35 overall and 8-17 in league action.
Garrett Cutting and Brayden Kuriger each recorded an RBI single during YSU's three-run first inning as the Guins were outhit by the Golden Grizzlies 13-3.
YSU starter Braden Gebhardt suffered the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits with five strikeouts over 3.2 innings. Mitchell Seymour surrendered two runs in one inning of relief while Nate Ross was responsible for one run in one-third of an inning. Two unearned runs went on Tyler Heflin's record during his two innings out of the bullpen.
Oakland starter Hunter Pidek allowed three runs on three hits while fanning five batters over seven innings in a complete-game victory. The senior right-hander retired 16 straight batters at one point.
The Penguins took an early lead with three runs in the home half of the first inning. Kyle Fossum was hit by a pitch before Tommy Rover and Cole Smith drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Kuriger plated Fossum with an RBI single through the right side while Rover scored when Nathan Beckley grounded into a double play. Smith raced home on Cutting's two-out RBI single to put YSU ahead 3-0.
The Golden Grizzlies posted a single run in the top of the second inning. John Lauinger hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt and scored when Ben Clark reached on an error.
Oakland moved in front 5-3 with four runs in the top of the third. Taylor Tomlin drew a leadoff walk, Matthew McGann was hit by a pitch and Brandon Nigh walked to load the bases. Lauinger plated all three base runners with a triple down the right field line, and he was able to score on the play following a throwing error.
The Golden Grizzlies increased their lead to 8-3 with a three-run top of the fourth. Tomlin walked and scored on Nigh's RBI single before Lauinger hit a two-run home run to left field. Oakland struck for three more runs in the fifth to push its advantage to 11-3. Boston Halloran hit a leadoff single and scored on Tomlin's RBI single. Tomlin proceeded to steal second and score on McGann's RBI single, and McGann was able to score on an error following a double from Nigh.
Oakland added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh for the final margin. McGann hit a one-out double, Nigh followed with a walk and both runners scored on a throwing error when Carter Hain reached on a fielder's choice.
Lauinger went 3-for-3 with five RBIs and four runs scored while finishing a double shy of the cycle to lead the Golden Grizzlies offensively.
The Penguins and Golden Grizzlies will continue their three-game Horizon League series on Saturday. First pitch at Eastwood Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.
