Butler Pa. -- Oakland scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to overcome a 3-1 deficit and defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 4-3 in the Horizon League series finale on Sunday afternoon at Pullman Park.
The Penguins broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third when Nathan Beckley led off the inning with a bunt single, stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single from Alex Jang. The Golden Grizzlies evened the score with a single run in the top of the fifth before the Guins struck twice in the home half of the sixth to move in front 3-1. Oakland scored the final three runs of the contest in the top of the seventh and held on for the series-clinching victory.
Youngstown State falls to 2-15 overall and 1-2 in Horizon League play while Oakland improves to 3-15 overall and 2-1 in league action.
Beckley recorded two of YSU's five hits in the game, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and two stolen bases. Brayden Kuriger singled, walked twice and scored a run while Brady Shannon singled, scored a run and swiped one base.
YSU starter Mikey Rodriques allowed one hit with three strikeouts and two walks over 2.2 scoreless innings in his third start of the season. Brandon Mikos was responsible for three runs on four hits with four punchouts over 3.2 innings of relief while Sloan Ulrich suffered the loss after surrendering one run on seven hits and striking out three batters over three innings of work.
After the Penguins jumped ahead 1-0, the Golden Grizzlies plated a single run of their own in the top of the fifth. Sam Patton reached with a two-out infield single and Kyle Revere followed with an RBI double down the left field line.
YSU regained the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Kuriger reached with a one-out infield single, Shannon was hit by a pitch and Chyran Humphries followed with a walk to load the bases. After Oakland reliever Camden Cooper handed the ball to Owen Thomson, Nic Goodwin brought home Kuriger with an RBI groundout and Shannon scored on a wild pitch to give the Penguins a 3-1 edge.
The Golden Grizzlies responded with a three-run top of the seventh to grab a decisive 4-3 advantage. Patton hit a leadoff double and was able to race home when Revere reached on a throwing error to shave Oakland's deficit to 3-2. After Ulrich replaced Mikos on the mound for YSU, Tony Konopiots reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on Carter Hain's infield single. Jack Lux plated Konopiots with a single to left field before Lucas Day drove in Hain with a two-out RBI single to lift the Golden Grizzlies in front.
Patton paced Oakland offensively with three hits as one of four Golden Grizzlies to record multiple hits in Sunday's series finale.
Oakland starter Ben Green allowed one run on three hits over 4.1 innings in a no-decision. Cooper permitted two runs on one hit in one inning out of the bullpen while Thomson tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Andrew Landis worked a scoreless ninth inning for the Golden Grizzlies to collect the save.
Youngstown State is scheduled to play a midweek contest at Pitt on Wednesday. First pitch at Charles L. Cost Field in Pittsburgh is slated for 3 p.m.
