The University of Akron Athletics
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Ball State
Akron Drops 12 Inning Series Finale to Ball State
March 25 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio – The Ball State Cardinals squeezed home a run in the top of the 12th inning and hung on to defeat The University of Akron baseball team, 2-1, on Sunday at Canal Park.
A TJ Weir triple down the right field line with one out put the Cardinals in business in the 12th. Weir then scored on a Cody Campbell bunt back to reliever Scott Foster, who was unable to make a play.
Akron would have a chance to respond in its half of the 12th. Samuel Trecaso lined a two-out single to center that got past BSU center fielder Wes Winkle, allowing Trecaso to reach third. Miles Moeller then induced a game-ending pop fly from Kurt Gamby.
The UA (8-14, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) loss came despite a strong combined effort on the mound from Foster and starter Alex Loftin. Loftin went seven innings and allowed just one run on five hits, while striking out four. Foster (1-3) had a strong relief effort, going five innings and allowing just the triple to Weir. He had retired the first 13 batters he faced before Weir's three-bagger.
Brady Stewart led the Akron effort at the plate with a pair of hits. Freshman Matt Rembielak drove in the lone UA run, squeezing home pinch runner Jared Turocy in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings.
Moeller (1-1) snagged the win in relief for BSU (4-14, 1-2). Blake Beemer and Campbell each drove in runs.
The Cardinals plated one in the third, also thanks to a well-executed squeeze. Sean Godfrey singled to lead off the frame and moved to third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt. Beemer then laid down a bunt single to third to bring in Godfrey.
Akron had numerous opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Stewart was stranded on third in the fifth and the Zips had the first two aboard in the seventh but were once again shut out. UA would leave a total of 13 runners on base in the game.
BSU threatened to extend its lead in the seventh when Winkle singled to left with Kirby Campbell on second. Gamby gunned down Campbell at the plate, however, to save a run. Stewart applied an excellent swipe tag as Campbell slide in to keep the Cardinal lead at one.
Stewart led off the ninth with a double down the right field line. Turocy then pinch ran and moved to third by beating out Weir's throw on a Darius Washington fielder's choice. Rembielak then dropped a perfect bunt that stalled right on the first-base line allowing Turocy to score and tie the game. Akron was one deep fly ball from a walk-off win, but Cardinal lefty Devin Wilburn struck out Devan Ahart and Tyler Begun to end the threat.
UA was once again in position to win in the bottom of the eleventh with Brandon Winter and Darius Washington on first and second with nobody out. With the hit and run on, Rembielak then lined into double play to center and Washington was erased one batter later on a fielder's choice.
Akron will play a home-and-home midweek series with Youngstown State on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Zips will travel to Eastwood Field on Tuesday before the two teams will play at Canal Park on Wednesday. Both games begin at 3 p.m.
