Falcons Lose Walk-Off Homer Heartbreaker To Youngstown State

Wednesday, April 19

Youngstown, OH

4:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

9-23

Youngstown State

10-24

Bowling Green

Youngstown State

April 19, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

By: by James Nahikian, BGSU Athletic Communications

Final Statistics: PDF | HTML

NILES, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University baseball team erased a 3-0 deficit, took an eighth-inning lead, but ultimately lost to Youngstown State University by a score of 6-5 on a walk-off home run. The Falcons scored three runs in the eighth before the Penguins launched a two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning.

With the win, Youngstown State takes the season series, as the Penguins earned a 3-1 victory at Steller Field on March 28. The Falcons fall to 9-23 on the season with the loss, while Youngstown State improves to 10-24 with the win.

"Sometimes, baseball is a cruel game. I thought that we deserved better than that today," said head coach Danny Schmitz. "You never know what you are going to get on a staff day, but our pitchers did a heck of a job, and we were in the ballgame for nine innings.

"We battle out of a 3-0 deficit, and then take the lead in the eighth with our backs against the wall. We had a number of great defensive plays, and I thought the effort was there. We have a big weekend at home, so we'll need to just forget this one, and focus on Central Michigan."

After falling behind, 3-0, after five innings, Bowling Green scored two runs in the sixth to get right back into the ballgame. Justin Mott and Nick Glanzman registered run-scoring infield singles to plate one run apiece.

Youngstown State cracked a solo home run in the bottom of the frame, inching its lead to 4-2, but in the top of the eighth, the Falcons scored three runs to take a 5-4 lead. Greg Basalyga got the party started with his team-leading fifth home run of the season. Basalyga's signature home run swing procured a towering line drive that got out of the stadium in left-center.

Mott then drew a walk, and Jeff Scott was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position for Derek Drewes, who shot a game-tying single into center. Glanzman beat out a double play during the very next plate appearance to give the Falcons a 5-4 lead.

Youngstown State's leadoff batter got on base with an infield single to start the bottom of the ninth. After a strikeout, Kyle Benyo stroked the walk-off home run to left field. Basalyga and Glanzman each had two hits, while Glanzman also chipped in with two RBI.

On a staff day, Chandler Stillings, Brad Croy and Chase Antle hurled a scoreless inning apiece. Kody Brown logged 2.0 scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, and was in line for the win before the ninth-inning home run.

Bowling Green opens up a three-game series with MAC-leading Central Michigan on Friday, April 21, at 3:05 p.m. at Steller Field. The series will conclude with 1:05 p.m. starts on Saturday (April 22) and Sunday (April 23).