The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ohio
Baseball Opens Three Game Series Against Ohio on Friday
April 12 | Baseball
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron baseball team will travel to Athens, Ohio for a three game Mid-American Conference series against Ohio University, set to begin at 6 p.m., on Friday at Bob Wren Stadium. The series will continue on Saturday with a 3 p.m., first pitch, while Sunday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Game Day Information
Friday – 6 p.m.
Akron: Fr., RHP JT Brubaker (0-6, 5.72 ERA)
Ohio: Fr., RHP Jake Miller (1-4, 5.47 ERA)
Saturday – 3 p.m.
Akron: Fr., LHP John Valek III (2-5, 4.10 ERA)
Ohio: Sr., LHP Marck Paliotto (2-6, 5.59 ERA)
Sunday – 1 p.m.
Akron: So., RHP Matt LaRocca (0-0, 1.35 ERA)
Ohio: Fr., RHP Connor Sitz (0-5, 8.54 ERA)
*Links to live stats and an audio stream will be available through the Akron baseball schedule page.
Series Overview
The Akron Zips come into the weekend MAC series with an overall record of 6-24 and 3-6 within the MAC. UA played one midweek game against Canisius on Wednesday, which resulted in an 8-5 loss for Akron in a weather-shortened game.
Akron's last MAC opponent was Miami University this past weekend. The Zips took one of three games from the RedHawks with a 10-9 walk-off victory on Sunday in 14 innings. The Zips fell to the RedHawks by a score of 7-2 on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday.
The Ohio Bobcats will open the three game series with a record of 7-24 and 3-6 in the MAC. OU played in one midweek contest on Wednesday against Eastern Kentucky, which resulted in a 10-3 win for Ohio.
Ohio's last conference opponent was Kent State University over this past weekend. The Bobcats won one out of three games against the Golden Flashes. The lone win was on Friday by a score of 6-3. Kent defeated Ohio on Friday by a score of 6-5 and on Sunday by a score of 10-3.
OU has the most wins in the all-time series against Akron, coming in at a record of 51-35. Akron played Ohio at home last season, resulting in a series sweep for the Bobcats by scores of 4-3, 9-8 and 3-2.
Leading Off
Devan Ahart has seen strong success over the past week's games. The sophomore from Orchard Lake, Mich., has registered a hit in seven consecutives games. In the seven-game span, Ahart has totaled 10 base hits, three RBI, five runs scored and five stolen bases.
Amongst his ten hits, he has registered five doubles. Ahart holds the team lead in hits (32), doubles (8), and stolen bases (9). The centerfielder is currently hitting .281 this season and getting on base at a .336 clip.
Earning His Slot
Sophomore Matt LaRocca – Sunday's starter – will be making his first start as an Akron Zip. LaRocca has been stellar working out of the Akron bullpen, compiling a 1.35 ERA over 20.0 innings pitched with 17 strikeouts and 11 hits allowed.
LaRocca's most recent appearance came in Sunday's 10-9 walk-off victory. The native of Stony Brook, N.Y., logged 6.1 innings pitched with zero earned runs allowed and five strikeouts out of the bullpen.
Along with performing well out of the bullpen, LaRocca has a .304 batting average with two home runs and 15 RBI this season. LaRocca leads the Akron squad with 15 RBI primarily hitting out of the cleanup spot in the lineup.
Big At-Bats, Big Hits
Senior Jared Turocy has solidified himself in the middle of the Akron Zips lineup. Along with his game-tying, two-RBI triple in the bottom of the 14th on Sunday, Turocy has registered eight base hits – including two multi hit games – with eight RBI, four runs scored, one homer and three walks over the past eight games.
In 16 games played this season, the native of Canfield, Ohio has registered a .318 batting average with nine RBI and six runs scored. Turocy's home run last week versus Youngstown State was the first of his career.
Young Floridian
A native of Parkland, Fla., John Valek III has become a staple in the Saturday role in the Zips rotation. Valek had his most successful outing this past weekend against the Miami RedHawks.
Despite incurring the loss, Valek pitched a complete game with one earned run allowed and three strikeouts. Valek's record fell to 2-5 in the loss.
The southpaw is currently ranked No. 5 in ERA within Mid-American Conference play. Valek has a 1.96 ERA through three MAC starts with 23.0 innings pitched and 10 strikeouts. He is the only freshman to be ranked in the top 10 in MAC individual pitching.
Akron Baseball Golf Outing
Zips baseball will be hosting its annual golf outing this summer on Monday, July 22 at Medina Country Club. If you're interested in participating in the outing, please contact Alexa Doutt by phone at 330-972-2695 or email at asd9@uakron.edu.
