AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth midweek affair defined by explosive innings and a dramatic finish, Akron rallied from an early seven-run deficit to walk off with an 11-10 victory over Youngstown State on Tuesday evening at InfoCision Stadium.

The game, which defied a Interstat projection of a 5-1 Akron win, saw the Zips erase a 10-3 hole, tie the game in the seventh, and win it in the bottom of the ninth. Brennan Morgan delivered the final blow, lacing a bases-loaded single up the middle to score Gabe Mathison and complete the comeback.

The most critical sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the third inning, transforming the contest from a potential blowout into a nail-biter. Youngstown State had stormed ahead, scoring two runs in the first and erupting for seven more in the third, highlighted by a two-run double from Brayden Kuriger and a two-run single from Alex Jang, to take a commanding 10-3 lead.

Akron responded immediately and decisively in its half of the third. After loading the bases with one out, catcher Atticus Huffstutler, the Zips’ top star, stepped in. Huffstutler, who had been hitless in his last two appearances, crushed a grand slam down the right-field line, clearing the bases and slashing the Penguins’ lead to 10-7. The inning continued as Akron capitalized on Youngstown State errors, adding another run on an RBI bunt single by Gabe Mathison that scored Tucker Biehl, who had walked and stolen second. The five-run frame brought Akron within two runs and completely shifted the game’s momentum.

From there, the bullpens took over. Youngstown State relievers Kale Wemer and Griffin Almond combined for four hitless innings from the third through the sixth, keeping the Zips at bay. Akron received key scoreless outings from Garrett Groce and Nathan Currah, with Currah striking out two over two perfect frames.

Akron finally drew even in the seventh against Penguins reliever Lane Rhodes. Brody Chrisman and Blake Bowen singled, and with two outs, Morgan came through with a two-run single up the middle, tying the game at 10.

Youngstown State reclaimed the lead in the top of the ninth. Misael Uriepero walked, advanced to second on a groundout, and scored on Brady Shannon’s RBI groundout to make it 11-10.

In the bottom of the ninth, Akron mounted its winning rally against Mikey Rodriques. Mathison walked and advanced to third on Chrisman’s single. After an intentional walk to Bowen loaded the bases, Morgan lined a 1-1 pitch into center field, securing the victory.

Morgan finished 4-for-5 with three RBIs for Akron, while Huffstutler’s grand slam accounted for his four RBIs. Kuriger went 2-for-5 with two RBIs for Youngstown State, and Jang added two RBIs.

Akron improved to 13-14 with the win. Youngstown State fell to 3-23, extending a difficult start to the season that has included several narrow losses.

The Zips next travel to face Bowling Green for a three-game series starting Thursday. The Penguins open a series at Milwaukee on Thursday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Youngstown on April 14.