YOUNGSTOWN (Interstat) — Jack Messmore drove in five runs with a home run and three hits and Braden Gebhardt pitched six strong innings as Youngstown State held off Milwaukee 13-11 in a Horizon League matchup Friday afternoon that stretched into the evening.

The Penguins improved to 11-37 overall, while the Panthers fell to 18-30.

Milwaukee took an early lead in the top of the first inning when Grant Ross walked, but the Panthers left him stranded. Youngstown State broke through in the bottom of the second when Misael Uriepero singled and scored on a single by Messmore. The Penguins erupted for four runs in the third inning, highlighted by Ryan Schummer’s two-run homer and a two-run single by Messmore, making it 5-0.

The Panthers struggled to solve Gebhardt, who allowed only four hits and one earned run while striking out eight over six innings. Meanwhile, Youngstown State added four more runs in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Schummer, an RBI single from Luke Ross and a two-run double by Uriepero, pushing the lead to 9-0.

Milwaukee answered in the fifth inning. Charlie Marion launched a three-run homer to right field, cutting the deficit to 9-3. But the Penguins responded immediately when Brady Shannon led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run, restoring a seven-run lead. After Dominic Kibler homered for the Panthers in the sixth, Youngstown State tacked on two more runs in the bottom half on a run-scoring groundout by Messmore and a sacrifice fly from James Carlson, making it 12-4.

The Panthers mounted a comeback in the ninth inning. Trailing 13-4 after Messmore’s solo homer in the eighth, Milwaukee sent 10 batters to the plate and scored seven runs. Marion doubled and later scored on a single by Brady Horn. A single by Joey Spence drove in Kibler. A walk to John Hadley forced in a run, and a walk to pinch-hitter Tate Schmidt drove in another. A wild pitch scored Connor Bozak, and Ross singled home two more to make it 13-11. But with the tying run at the plate, Marion grounded out to first base to end the game.

Messmore finished 3 for 4 with a home run and five RBIs. Schummer went 2 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs. Uriepero had three hits and two RBIs, and Shannon added a homer. For Milwaukee, Marion went 2 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs. Kibler homered, and Ross had two hits and two RBIs.

Gebhardt earned the win, scattering four hits and striking out eight. Aiden Fishnick took the loss for Milwaukee, allowing four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The teams continue their series Saturday and Sunday at Youngstown State.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Milwaukee 5, Youngstown State 3, and Interstat’s ELO system gave Milwaukee a 64.50 percent probability to win.