Box Score NOTE: Saturday's game time is now 2:00 p.m. due to weather
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont Baseball dropped its season opener to Youngstown State on a cold Friday night at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins got out ahead early, but were hindered by a big Penguin inning, falling 8-4.
Belmont struck early in the game, making the first move in the second inning. Senior Ben Kocher (Zionsville, Ind.) tallied the Bruins first run off a big hit from senior Cully Day (Mahomet, Ill.). BU seemed to be carrying the momentum, holding the Penguins scoreless through three innings behind OVC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, junior Dylan King (Murfreesboro, Tenn.).
Things took a turn in the fourth inning. After two quick outs, Youngstown State put together two base hits with the help of two walks to take the 4-1 lead. This forced Head Coach Dave Jarvis to call on freshman right-handed pitcher Chandler Schultz (Nashville, Tenn.) to take over the mound for his collegiate debut.
Belmont's struggles continued in the fifth inning as BU gave up two more runs before making another change on the mound. Sophomore Jack Rettig (Mahomet, Ill.) made his debut in a Belmont uniform and tossed just over four innings.
Belmont was able to hold the Penguins scoreless through the sixth and seventh innings. One of BU's best defensive plays came on the final out of the seventh inning with a ground out double play.
Kocher was the first at-bat for the Bruins in the bottom of the seventh. He was able to get on base with a walk that seemingly changed the momentum of the game. Kocher made his way to third base before scoring Belmont's second run of the night after a sacrifice fly from senior Kyle Conger (Brentwood, Tenn.). Later in the inning, Jordan Henshaw took advantage of a Youngstown passed ball and made his way cross the plate for another Bruin Run. Belmont ended the inning by cutting the lead to 6-3.
After walking the first batter of the eighth inning, Belmont put together three-straight outs to keep the Penguins from extending the lead.
Belmont took advantage of a Youngstown pitching switch in the bottom of the eighth. Day registered his second hit of the night to advance Kocher to third before Henshaw rocketed a double to send Kocher across the plate yet again to cut the Penguin's lead to 6-4.
Youngstown State sealed their fate in the ninth inning. Despite Rettig striking out two batters, the Penguins put two more runs on the board after a two-run homerun off the bat of Blaze Glenn which extended the lead to 8-4. Belmont looked to make things happen in the bottom of the ninth, but were unable to get anything going with a three up, three down inning.
UP NEXT
Belmont and Youngstown state face off for game two on Saturday, February 17th at E.S. Rose Park. The game has been pushed back to 2:00 p.m. due to weather.
