Butler, Pa. -- Oakland scored multiple runs in four different innings on its way to a 12-6 victory over the Youngstown State baseball team on Saturday afternoon in game two of a three-game Horizon League series at Pullman Park.
The Penguins struck first with a single run in the bottom of the first inning before the Golden Grizzlies plated a single tally in the top of the second to even the score. After YSU posted another single run in the home half of the second to move in front 2-1, Oakland answered with two runs in the third and two more in the fifth to take a 5-2 edge.
The Penguins pushed across another single tally in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 5-3 before the Golden Grizzlies used a four-run top of the sixth to build a 9-3 advantage. YSU got back on the scoreboard when Brady Shannon belted a two-run blast over the wall in left field. Oakland added three more runs in the top of the eighth to lead 12-5, and YSU scored the game's final run in the bottom of the eighth to produce the final margin.
The Golden Grizzlies evened the series at a game apiece while improving to 2-15 overall and 1-1 in Horizon League play while the Penguins dropped to 2-14 overall and 1-1 in league action.
Nathan Beckley and Kendal Spencer each recorded two hits and drove in a run for the Penguins offensively while Shannon hit his team-leading third home run of the season.
YSU starter Jack Messmore allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on six hits over 4.2 innings on the mound in a losing effort. The senior right-hander registered a season-high six strikeouts while walking five batters in his fifth start of the season. Aidan English was tagged with four unearned runs in one inning of work as the first of four relievers to appear for the Penguins. Bryce Palms was responsible for one run in 1.1 innings, Braedon Davis surrendered two runs in one inning in his YSU debut and Griffin Almond tossed a scoreless eighth inning.
The Penguins plated the first run of the game when Beckley singled and scored on a two-out RBI single from Spencer in the bottom of the first inning.
The Golden Grizzlies scored a single run of their own in the top of the second as Jack Lux hit a leadoff triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ben Clark.
YSU moved back in front 2-1 in the bottom of the second when Nic Goodwin reached on an error, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Nick Miscavage and scored on Teddy Ruffner's RBI groundout.
Oakland regained a 3-2 advantage with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Tony Konopiots hit a one-out triple and Carter Hain followed with a walk. Konopiots was able to reach home plate from third when Hain was caught stealing at second base to tie the score at 2-2. The inning was extended when Lux reached first base on a throwing error following a dropped third strike, and Clark made the Penguins pay with a two-out RBI double to left center.
The Golden Grizzlies pushed their lead to 5-2 with two runs in the top of the fifth. Clark drove home Lux again with another RBI double for the inning's first run before scoring on an RBI single by Sam Patton.
The Penguins cut their deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth when Alex Jang reached with a two-out single and scored on Beckley's RBI double.
Oakland added four runs in the top of the sixth to increase its lead to 9-3. Lux hit a three-run home run to right field before Nick Mardis was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Shannon's towering two-run homer to left field in the home half of the seventh shaved Oakland's lead to 9-5, but the Golden Grizzlies responded with three runs in the top of the eighth. Boston Halloran drove in a run with an RBI groundout while Mardis added a two-run home run to right center field.
Youngstown State recorded the final run of the contest in the bottom of the eighth when Ruffner hit a two-out double and scored on a pinch-hit RBI double from Chyran Humphries.
Oakland starter Tanner Ware allowed three runs, one of which was earned, on five hits with five strikeouts and four walks over 5.2 innings to earn the win. Jaxson Easterlin permitted two runs over 1.1 innings of relief while Luke Riggs allowed one run over the final two frames.
Lux went 2-for-3 with a home run, a triple, two walks, three RBIs and four runs scored to lead the offensive attack for the Golden Grizzlies. Clark finished 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored while Patton added two hits and drove in a run.
The Penguins and Golden Grizzlies will conclude their three-game Horizon League series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch at Pullman Park is scheduled for 1 p.m.
