CHICAGO (Interstat) — Brandon Bak struck out 10 over 6.1 innings to lead Illinois-Chicago to a 6-3 victory over Youngstown State on Saturday afternoon at Les Miller Field at Curtis Granderson Stadium. Bak allowed five hits and three earned runs. Jack Messmore took the loss for the Penguins, going 6.1 innings with no hits allowed but three earned runs and four strikeouts.

The Flames struck first in the third inning when Gavin Acosta doubled to left center, scoring Vidal Colon. Youngstown State answered in the fifth on a two-run homer by Garrett Cutting. The Penguins added a run in the seventh on a bases-loaded walk by Ryan Schummer.

Illinois-Chicago rallied in the bottom of the seventh. James Hackett singled in a run, and Karim Patterson followed with a two-run single. One run scored on an error by the right fielder. Ashton Kampa sealed the win with a solo homer in the eighth. Mark Eddie pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief for the Flames.

The victory improved Illinois-Chicago to 17-23, while Youngstown State dropped to 9-33.