Dayton, Ohio – Brady Shannon hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, and the Youngstown State baseball team went on to defeat Wright State 5-2 in the Horizon League series opener on Friday at Nischwitz Stadium.
The Raiders scored twice in the bottom of the second inning and the score remained the same until Shannon hit the first pitch of his at bat in the top of the eighth inning over the wall in left field to give the Penguins a 3-2 advantage. Kendal Spencer's two-run double in the top of the ninth provided the final margin as YSU outscored Wright State 5-0 over the final two frames.
Youngstown State, which has now won seven of its last 10 Horizon League contests, improved to 10-12 in league play while Wright State dropped to 17-5 in HL action.
YSU's offense came alive late to support another outstanding starting pitching performance from Braden Gebhardt. The senior left-hander scattered five hits with nine strikeouts and just one walk while matching his season high of seven innings pitched to earn his fifth win of the season. Tyler Heflin did not allow a hit over the final two frames to collect his second save.
In his first start since March 15, Spencer went 2-for-4 at the plate with a two-run double and three stolen bases to pace the Penguins offensively. Garrett Cutting finished 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 12 straight games while Nathan Beckley singled, walked and scored a run.
The Raiders scored the game's first two runs in the bottom of the second inning. JP Peltier hit a leadoff single and Cy Turner followed with a double to put runners at second and third. Braylen Blomquist drove in Peltier when he reached on a fielder's choice, and Turner raced home on an ensuing throwing error to give Wright State a 2-0 edge.
Spencer reached on an error and Misael Uriepero hit a one-out single to set up Shannon's league-leading 15th long ball of the season in the top of the eighth that gave YSU a decisive 3-2 lead.
Spencer came through with a two-run double down the right field line in the top of the ninth inning to give the Penguins a pair of insurance runs and increase their lead to 5-2.
Wright State starter Cam Allen scattered four hits and fanned six batters over six scoreless innings in a no-decision. JJ Thompson suffered the loss after allowing five runs, two of which were earned, over two innings out of the bullpen.
Zac Butler went 2-for-3 at the plate as the only Raider with multiple hits in the contest.
The Penguins will go for the Horizon League series win over the Raiders on Friday afternoon. First pitch for game one of Friday's doubleheader at Nischwitz Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
