Feb. 22, 2009 | Box Score

Georgia Rallies in Sixth to Sweep Series Over Penguins

    Athens, Ga. -- Georgia homered twice in a four-run sixth inning and overcame five errors for a come-from-behind 12-8 victory over Youngstown State on Sunday at Foley Field.
    The Penguins had scored six runs in the top of the sixth to take their first lead of the series at 6-5. Georgia went on to score two more times in the seventh and got out of the eighth when YSU had the go-ahead run at the plate.
    Georgia sophomore Justin Grimm retired the first 15 batters in order and struck out six in the first four innings as the Bulldogs built a 5-0 lead. He did not allow a base runner until Anthony Porter reached after striking out on a wild pitch to start the sixth.
    Porter advanced to third on a balk and scored on David Leon's sacrifice fly. C.J. Morris and Jason Reitenbach then hit back-to-back singles for YSU's first two hits, and John Koehnlein moved them up on a sacrifice bunt. Back-to-back Georgia errors allowed two runs to score, and Jacke Healey tied the score with a two-run double to left. Eric Marzec then brought Healey in for the go-ahead run on an infield single.
    Rich Poythress put Georgia back on top with a three-run homer to right, and Joey Lewis hit a solo blast two batters later to make the score 9-6. The Bulldogs scored their two runs in the seventh on a squeeze bunt and a wild pitch to take an 11-6 lead.
    All of YSU's damage that led to two runs in the eighth came after Justin Earls struck out the first two hitters. Greg Dissinger walked, and Healey, Marzec and Porter followed with three straight singles. Brian Solitario reached on an error to load the bases and prolong the inning, but Jeff Walters was able to strike out Morris and preserve the 11-8 lead.
    Georgia added an insurance run in the eighth when Poythress and Bryce Massanari hit back-to-back doubles.
    "I think we battled, kept playing and never stopped competing, and that's what we have to do every day," YSU head coach Rich Pasquale said. "The outcome wasn't what we wanted, and but  were right there.
    "(Starting pitcher Phil) Klein was able to get some big outs for us on the mound, and Marzec was outstanding defensively in right field."
    Healey and Marzec each had two hits and two RBIs, and Healey scored twice to lead YSU.
    Poythress had three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored to pace the Bulldogs. He finished the series with two home runs, seven runs scored and seven RBIs, and freshman leadoff hitter Jonathan Taylor was 8-for-10 with four walks in the three games.
    Corey Vukovic was charged with the loss, allowing two runners to reach in the sixth that eventually scored and gave Georgia the lead. Klein allowed four earned runs on eight hits in five innings.
    Grimm allowed five unearned runs on two hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven in 5.2 innings in a no-decision. Steve Esmonde got the win despite allowing a run in 0.1 innings, and Walters earned a save.
    The Penguins will be back in action at 3 p.m. Friday at VMI.