Chicago, Ill. – The Youngstown State baseball team hit three home runs but dropped a 10-7 decision to UIC on Friday afternoon at Granderson Stadium.

James Carlson slugged his first collegiate home run – a grand slam in the second inning – to highlight the offensive effort. He also added an RBI-double in the ninth inning.

Garrett Cutting and Chryan Humphries delivered solo shots in the seventh inning as well. For Humphries it was his third home run of the year while Cutting now has two.

The Flames took a 2-0 lead after the first inning before the Penguins took the lead on Carlson's blast in the second. With one out, Misael Uriepero doubled to left before walks Teddy Ruffner and Humphries loaded the bases. Carlson belted an 0-1 pitch over the right field wall to clear the bases and give YSU a 4-2 advantage.

UIC scored a pair of runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 10-4 lead.

With one out in the seventh, Humphries homered for the Penguins. With two outs in the inning, Cutting belted his homer.

In the ninth, Ruffner singled before moving to second on a passed ball. He came home to score on Carlson's double.

Braden Gebhardt (3-3) was saddled with the defeat pitching four innings. Gebhardt allowed six runs, five earned while striking out three. Tyler Heflin came on and pitched the final four innings in relief. Heflin allowed four runs, all earned, while scattering six hits. UIC's Mason Lei (5-4) picked up the win pitching 6.1 innings, allowing five runs, while striking out seven and scattering six hits.

YSU had 10 hits in the contest with eight of nine in the starting lineup reaching base. Ruffner and Carlson led the way with hits each.

Following the loss, YSU is now 9-32 while UIC improves to 16-23-1.

The Penguins and Flames are set to resume the three-game series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern/2 p.m. Central.