MILWAUKEE (Interstat) — In a matchup of teams desperate to reverse early-season struggles, Youngstown State found a way to hold on.

The Penguins built a large early lead and withstood a relentless Milwaukee lineup to secure a 7-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday at Henry Aaron Field.

Both teams entered the day with identical 4-23 records, but it was Youngstown State that capitalized first, plating all seven of its runs in the opening innings before relying on its bullpen to seal the win.

The game’s most critical sequence came in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Youngstown State clinging to its 7-4 lead. Milwaukee, which outhit the Penguins 10-9, loaded the bases with only one out against reliever Banks Cox. Panthers designated hitter Bradyn Horn, who had delivered a two-run double in the first inning, stepped to the plate as the potential go-ahead run.

Youngstown State manager Dan Roszel then made a pivotal pitching change, bringing in Spencer Ulrich. Horn hit Ulrich’s first pitch sharply to shortstop, where Youngstown State’s Christian Holmes initiated a fielder’s choice, forcing out the runner at second to end the inning and extinguish Milwaukee’s last serious threat. Ulrich and Brevin Smith combined for 2 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief to close the game.

Youngstown State starter Jack Messmore earned the win despite a turbulent outing. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing all four Milwaukee runs on 10 hits while striking out three. The Panthers scored three times in the first inning and added another in the second, primarily on run-scoring hits from Horn and Charlie Marion.

The Penguins’ offense, however, provided ample support from the start. They scored three runs in the first inning off Milwaukee starter Aric Ehmke, though the specific plays for those runs were not detailed in the available sequence. They added single runs in the second, third, fourth, sixth and eighth innings, demonstrating consistent pressure. Brendan Shannon homered to left-center field in the fourth inning, while Nate Beckley and A.J. Jang contributed run-scoring hits.

Milwaukee’s Ehmke took the loss, surrendering four runs on five hits over five innings of work. Reliever Mason Weckler allowed three runs over three innings before Cullen Riel pitched a scoreless ninth.

With the victory, Youngstown State improved to 5-23 on the season, while Milwaukee fell to 4-24. The teams were scheduled to conclude their doubleheader later Friday evening.