The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Bowling Green
Watkins Produces Second Straight Walk-off Hit
April 08 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio – For the second day in a row, senior Sam Watkins sent The University of Akron baseball team to a thrilling win over Bowling Green with a ninth-inning, walk-off hit at Canal Park.
The 2-1 win gives UA (13-17, 6-3 Mid-American Conference) the series sweep over the Falcons (11-20, 2-7). It is the first Akron sweep since the Zips took three from Northern Illinois in 2009.
Senior Alex Loftin produced his best start of the season, going the distance and allowing one unearned run. Loftin scattered seven hits and struck out six. Watkins drove in both Akron runs.
Akron took a 1-0 lead into the top of the ninth when TJ Losby led off the frame with a single up the middle. Losby advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and then moved to third on a passed ball. Loftin would strike out Jeremy Shay for the second out of the inning and then got Brian Bien to strike out with a pitch in the dirt. However, the pitch bounced away from catcher Brady Stewart, and Losby scored from third to tie the game.
Watkins heroics were made possible by a two-out single up the middle by Devan Ahart. BGSU closer Nick Bruns (1-2) then made a crucial error, throwing a pickoff attempt into foul territory and allowing Ahart to motor around to third. After fouling off a number of two-strike offerings, Watkins lined a 1-2 pitch into left field to clinch the sweep.
Losby picked up a pair of hits for Bowling Green. Starter Patrick Martin allowed one run in four-plus innings of work.
Loftin was outstanding all game long, getting groundout after groundout and walking just one. The senior righty also pitched out of jams in the first and second innings.
The Zips opened the scoring in the fifth, despite not recording a hit in the inning. Sam Trecaso and Matt Rembielak drew back-to-back walks to start the frame. Ahart bunted the pair over and Watkins hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring home Trecaso.
Akron returns to Canal Park on Tuesday for a midweek game against Pittsburgh. First pitch is at 3 p.m. UA then travels to Ohio State on Wednesday before heading to Buffalo next weekend.
