Youngstown, Ohio – Following a stretch of five consecutive non-conference games, Oakland Baseball will return to Horizon League action Friday, April 22 by traveling to Youngstown State for a doubleheader with the Penguins.
The first game will begin at 1 p.m. and the second will take place at approximately 4 p.m.
Oakland will enter play at 17-18 (7-5), while Youngstown State is 12-24 (5-7).
All-time record against Youngstown State
Dating to April 1, 2000, the Golden Grizzlies and Penguins have clashed 38 times, with Youngstown State holding a narrow 20-18 edge.
If Oakland can sweep Friday's twinbill, they will even the all-time series at 20 wins apiece.
In the first series between the two programs earlier this season, the Golden Grizzlies took two of three in Rochester from April 1-3.
Probable starting pitchers
Game 1
Oakland
Redshirt junior right-hander
Brett Hagen: 9 games (6 starts), 1 complete game, 3-1, 5.48 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .253 OBA, 46 IP, 13 BB, 28 SO
Youngstown State
Junior right-hander Matt Brosky: 9 games (all starts), 1 complete game, 3-5, 3.42 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .232 OBA, 55.1 IP, 13 BB, 57 SO
Game 2
Oakland
Junior left-hander
Travis Densmore: 9 games (5 starts), 3-1, 6.89 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, .354 OBA, 31.1 IP, 11 BB, 29 SO
Youngstown State
Senior right-hander Travis Perry: 9 games (8 starts), 1 complete game, 1-1, 7.04 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, .299 OBA, 38.1 IP, 15 BB, 29 SO
About the Penguins
Youngstown State's top starting pitcher, Brosky previously faced the Golden Grizzlies this season, taking the loss and allowing six earned runs on five hits over 4.1 innings with two walks and six strikeouts on April 3.
Perry also started in the previous series between the two teams, receiving a no-decision after giving up two runs on three hits over five innings in the April 2 tilt.
One of two Penguins to start all 36 games, junior second baseman Braeden O'Shaughnessy has been their top hitter, slashing .355/.435/.574 with eight doubles, seven home runs, 32 RBI, and four stolen bases.
Starting 32 games, senior third baseman Steven D'Eusanio is the only other Penguin hitting above .300 at .310 with five doubles, four home runs, 13 RBI, and two stolen bases.
Densmore looks to continue pitching well
Winning two of his last three starts, Densmore has tossed 14.1 innings over that span, allowing nine earned runs on 15 hits with five walks and 13 strikeouts, lowering his season ERA by over a run from 7.94 to 6.89 in the process.
