NILES, Ohio – Milwaukee took a 6-0 lead in the top of the second at Youngstown State in Saturday's series finale, but the host Penguins were able to outscore Milwaukee 10-1 the rest of the game en route to a 10-7 win at Eastwood Field.
 
Tate Schmidt helped get the Panthers off to a fast start and had a two-run double, as he and Gabe Roessler each had two of Milwaukee's eight hits on the day. Roessler also had three stolen bases.
 
Milwaukee stranded 10 runners on base, leaving multiple runners on in the fourth, sixth, and ninth innings.  Youngstown State, however, was able to answer Milwaukee's six spot with four runs in the bottom of the second and continued to add on as the game continued.
 
"We were able to get out to a 6-0 lead with the help of the other side, quite honestly," said head coach Shaun Wegner. "I was disappointed in our ability to respond after Youngstown State scored their first four runs … we need to find a way to consistently stay on the throttle and not throw away at bats."
 
Youngstown State had 12 hits for the second consecutive game and took advantage of eight walks surrendered by Milwaukee pitching. Seven of the Penguins' hits were for extra bases including three home runs.
 
"If we want to compete for a championship, we are going to have to be able to land off speed pitches better than we did today," added Wegner. "Credit to their offense as they pounced on fastballs in hitters' counts and did damage."
 
Mike Sullivan was unable to make it out of the second inning, allowing three hits and three walks yielding the first three Penguin runs. Zach Dohrmann took the loss for MKE as the Penguins scored three times over his 1 2/3 innings.
 
After a scoreless first inning, Caden Headlee opened the second by reaching on an error followed by walks from Justin Hausser and Q Phillips to load the bases. John Hadley brought home the first run with a ground ball before Roessler reached on a bunt single allowing Hausser to cross the plate with Milwaukee's second run.
 
Schmidt was up next and sent a two-run double down the left field line to extend the Panther lead to four. Tyler Bickers kept the line moving with a run-scoring single followed by an RBI double off the bat of Marion to make it a six-run advantage.
 
Youngstown State responded over the next four innings including a four-run bottom of the second inning. The Penguins tied the game with solo runs in the third and fourth frames, before scoring two more in the fifth to take an 8-6 lead.
 
Tommy Rover led the Penguins with three hits, while Brady Shannon had a pair of solo home runs. Kyle Fossum continued his hot stretch for Youngstown State with another home run, while also walking twice.
 
Tyler Heflin went the first four innings for YSU and struck out four Panthers with the six runs scored against him were all unearned. Phil Brennaman did not allow a run over 3 1/3 innings as he earned
 
Youngstown State scored a pair in the bottom of the eighth to extend its lead. Milwaukee was able to scratch across a run on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth to close out the scoring as the Penguins held on for a 10-7 win.
 
"If you can win a weekend series, especially on the road, in conference, it's hard to feel disappointed coming home," Wegner concluded. "I think we know we missed an opportunity today … we need to play all 27 outs, and this week will be a challenge with both Purdue and Wright State on the schedule."
 
Milwaukee will wrap up its season-opening 19-game road trip on Tuesday with a 2:00 p.m. first pitch in West Lafayette, Indiana against Purdue. It will be the first meeting for the Panthers and Boilermakers since Mar. 12, 2019, a 6-1 Panther victory.