May 1, 2009 | Box Score

Two-Out Runs Lift Valparaiso to 6-4 Victory Over YSU in Series Opener

    Valparaiso, Ind. -- Valparaiso scored all six of its runs with two outs and held on to defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 6-4 on Friday afternoon.
    The Crusaders scored all three of their runs in the eighth after there were two outs to break a 3-3 tie. Jacke Healey homered for YSU, and David Leon drove in two runs. The Penguins had the tying run on in the ninth, but Jarad Miller came on to record the final two outs and earn his 12th save.
    YSU drops to 8-10 in Horizon League play while Valparaiso improves to 8-8 and passes the Penguins in the standings.
    Valparaiso scored twice off starter Aaron Swenson in the first on back-to-back two-out singles, but Healey brought the Penguins within one with a solo blast in the fourth. His hit was YSU's first off Jon Gulbransen, who retired the first 10 batters he faced.
    Damon McCormick tripled in Andrew Quinnette for Valpo in the fifth to put the Crusaders back up by two. YSU tied the score in the seventh with some two-out lightning of its own when Anthony Porter, C.J. Morris and David Leon strung three straight singles together.
    Valpo took its largest lead with three runs in the eighth, two of which came on a double by Kyle Muhlsteff. Leon singled in Jeremy Banks in the ninth, and YSU had runners on first and second when pitch hitter Tom Clayton grounded out to end the game.
    Swenson went the distance for YSU, allowing 11 hits and walking three while striking out five. Gulbransen surrendered all four runs on eight hits, only two of which were earned.
    The Penguins and Crusaders will play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern.