DAYTON – The Wright State baseball team defeated Youngstown State University 8-7 on Saturday afternoon, securing the series victory with a walk-off sacrifice fly by
Ben Vore, sending
Jay Luikart to score the winning run after putting up a game-tying RBI triple to centerfield. The Raiders are now 17-13 on the season and 7-4 in the Horizon League. The series will conclude Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. with live stats provided.
Game 3 - Sunday, April 7 - 1:00 p.m. - Live Stats
The Raiders finished with eight runs on ten hits with three walks against their seven strikeouts. They were led by
Drew Baker,
Carson Clark, and
Sammy Sass with two hits each, followed by Luikart, Vore,
Nate Manley, and
Boston Smith each adding one hit.
Julian Greenwell reached base twice on walks and once on a hit by pitch. Luikart reached base on a walk once, and Baker once on a hit by pitch. Wright State added seven extra-base hits on the day, with two doubles from Baker and one from Clark, a triple each by Luikart, Sass and Vore, and a home run by Smith.
The Penguins took an early lead, adding a two-RBI homer in the top of the second. Wright State tied the game in the third with an RBI double by Clark and Sass single. Youngstown followed, taking a three-run advantage in the top of the fourth, adding a sacrifice fly and another two-RBI homer, 5-2. A Smith sacrifice fly lessened the 'Guin's advantage to two in the bottom of the fourth. Youngstown maintained the lead, taking a four-run advantage in the sixth, 7-3.
The Raider's comeback rally began in the bottom of the seventh, as a Sass triple sent Greenwell and Baker to score. Wright State continued with a Smith solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, making it a one run game for the final inning. The walk-off win began with Greenwell being walked and advancing to second on a Sass sacrifice bunt. Luikart's RBI triple sent Greenwell home, tying the game at seven. Vore ended the day with a sacrifice fly, allowing Luikart to score.
Brayden Schoetzow (1-0) was awarded the win after pitching the final two thirds of the ninth inning, striking out one batter and allowing no runs or hits.
Josh Laisure notably entered in the sixth to pitch two and two third innings, allowing just one hit with one walk and four batters struck out.
Chris Domke (0-1) was charged with the loss after entering to pitch the final inning and allowing the game winning runs. Domke finished the day with two runs on one hit with one walk and one strikeout. The Penguins ended the day with seven runs on 11 hits with two walks against their ten strikeouts. They were led by Trey Law and Alejandro Covas, each adding two hits and one RBI.
