Mount Pleasant, Mich. -- The Youngstown State baseball team fell to Central Michigan in eight innings by a final score of 12-2 in a midweek non-league contest on Wednesday afternoon at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.
In the first meeting between the two programs since the 2005 season, the Chippewas scored four runs in the first inning and three more in the third to build a 7-0 lead. YSU pushed across a single run in the top of the sixth before CMU responded with a pair of tallies in the home half of the inning. The Penguins scored another single run in the top of the eighth before the Chippewas answered with three runs in the bottom of the eighth to pick up the walk-off win in eight innings.
Jack Messmore doubled for the Penguins offensively while Ryan Schummer singled, walked twice and scored a run. Misael Uriepero added a single, an RBI and a stolen base.
YSU starter Lane Rhodes allowed seven runs over three innings on the mound in a losing effort while Aidan Dorsch was responsible for two runs over a season-high 2.2 innings out of the bullpen. Bryce Palms tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief before Jake Ferretti surrendered three runs while recording two outs in the eighth.
Central Michigan took an early advantage with four runs on six hits in the bottom of the first inning. Bryson Webb hit a leadoff single, advanced to third on a single by Harrison Bowman and scored on an RBI groundout from Cole Prout. After a single by Logan Keilen, Brady Krzciok singled home Bowman and Joey Milto followed with an RBI double. Krzciok scored from third on Zach Knowlton's RBI infield single to give the Chippewas a 4-0 lead.
CMU pushed its lead to 7-0 with three runs in the home half of the third inning. Knowlton drew a one-out walk, advanced to third on a single from Drew Loikits and scored on Miguel Correa's sacrifice fly. Webb followed with a two-run home run to left field to give the Chippewas the seven-run edge.
Youngstown State scored its first run in the top of the sixth to trim CMU's lead to 7-1. Schummer drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Uriepero.
Central Michigan increased its lead to 9-1 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Webb reached with a one-out single, stole second and scored from third on a two-out RBI double by Prout. Pinch runner Dominic Bouscher replaced Prout at second and proceeded to score on Spencer Verburg's RBI single.
The Penguins plated their second and final run of the contest in the top of the eighth inning. Brady Shannon drew a leadoff walk and scored from third on a wild pitch.
CMU's three-run bottom of the eighth allowed the Chippewas to earn the walk-off victory. Bowman delivered a two-run single before Nathan Ball ended the game with a two-out RBI double to right field.
Central Michigan starter Jack Griffiths was awarded the win after allowing one run on two hits with seven strikeouts and six walks over six innings of work.
Webb finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two RBIs and four runs scored from the leadoff spot to lead the Chippewas offensively.
The Penguins are scheduled to begin a three-game Horizon League series at Oakland on Friday. First pitch for Friday's opener is slated for 3 p.m. at the Oakland Baseball Field in Rochester, Mich.
