March 8, 2008 | Box Score

Penguins Come Up Short Against Alabama, Hyatt, 7-4

    Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- Youngstown State ran into a career-best game from Alabama pitcher Austin Hyatt and saw a late rally come up short in a 7-4 loss Saturday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
    Hyatt struck out a career-high 10 strikeouts and threw a career-long 7.1 innings to earn his second victory of the season. Still, the Penguins were in the game the whole way had the tying run on base in the ninth.
    "We didn't stop fighting and competing today, and that's our blue-collar work ethic showing," head coach Rich Pasquale said. "I feel like we're right there. There are just a couple little plays here and there that we take a step back. We're getting better, and the guys are starting to feel it."   
    The Crimson Tide took a 2-0 lead in the first inning after starter Adam Kalafos retired the first two hitters. After Alex Avila doubled and Brandon May walked, Brock Bentley hit a two-run triple to center.
    Alabama went up by three in the fifth when Kent Matthes singled in Avila from second.
    The Penguins got on the board in the sixth when Josh Page scored on Tom Clayton's groundout. Page singled to left with one out and went to third on Joe Iacobucci's single to right.
    The Crimson Tide tacked on two more runs in the seventh to go up 5-1 when Ryan Rhoden hit a two-out, two-run homer to left center off of Corey Vukovic.
    YSU matched UA in the top of the eighth with two runs that scored on two wild pitches to climb back within 5-3.
    The Crimson Tide went up 7-3 with two runs in the eighth with the help of two perfectly placed bunts that went for hits instead of sacrifices. Joe Antinone came in with nobody out and the bases loaded to induce a sacrifice fly and strike out two hitters.
    Mike Turjanica singled home a run in the ninth to make the score 7-4, and the Penguins loaded the bases with one out before Josh Copeland retired Sean Lucas and Page.
    Page finished with two hits and two runs scored to lead YSU. Kalafos allowed two runs on three hits and five walks in 3.1 innings in a losing effort.
    Hyatt was charged with three runs on five hits and a walk before handing the ball off with one out in the eighth.
    The Penguins will try to avoid being swept Sunday in the series finale at 3 p.m. EDT.