ABILENE – Despite scoreless outings from
Johnnie Krawietz and
Tyler Morgan in the bullpen, the Wildcat baseball team fell to Youngstown State Friday night in game two of the series at Crutcher Scott Field, 4-2. The Penguins struck first in the opening frame, and even though ACU grabbed a 2-1 lead after one, YSU scored three times in the fourth to take the lead they would not surrender. The Wildcats move to 6-4 on the season after the defeat.
Two in the First Inning
- Tommy Cruz, after a three-hit game one of the series Thursday, left off the home first with a double down the left field line, and came into score on a Colton Eager double two batters later.
- After Eager stole third base, a wild pitch from Youngstown starter Colin Clark allowed Eager to score to give ACU a 2-1 advantage.
Youngstown Scores Three in the Fourth
- The Penguins scored on a two-run double into left center off Wildcat starter Austin Ruesch (1-1), and then added another on a ground ball that was nearly a double play up the middle. The batter beat the throw to first, and the run scored to give the Penguins a 4-2 lead.
Stat Pack
- ACU was held to just five hits and seven base runners, and were led by Eager's two hits. Cruz, Eric Wimpee, and Seth Watts each added a base knock as well.
- Ruesch went 3.1 innings in the start, allowing four earned on four hits with four strikeouts.
- Krawietz tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief work on two hits, while Tyler Morgan was on the hill for the final four innings, allowing no runs on a pair of hits with four strikeouts.
Up Next
- The rubber match of the three-game set is slated for Saturday, Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field. Left-hander Nate Hawkins takes the ball for ACU, and will face fellow southpaw Collin Floyd of YSU.
