The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Eastern Michigan
Valek Twirls Complete Game in 6-2 Victory over Eastern Michigan
March 20 | Baseball
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Box Score (PDF)
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Junior starting pitcher John Valek III tossed a complete game, allowing just eight hits and two runs as the University of Akron baseball team opened Mid-American Conference play on Friday with a 6-2 victory over Eastern Michigan at Oestrike Stadium.
In his sixth start of the season, Valek (3-1) walked one and struck out four after facing 32 batters en route to recording the fourth complete game of his collegiate career. Of his 100 total pitches, 67 were strikes.
"We couldn't have asked for more out of Valek than giving us a complete game in the series opener to save our bullpen," head coach Rick Rembielak said.
While the left-hander shined on the mound, sophomore infielder Dom Iero went 3-for-5 at the plate and drove in three Akron runs. Redshirt senior Joey Havrilak matched Iero with three hits in four at-bats to go with one RBI and a walk.
Iero knotted the game at 1-1 in the top of the second inning after knocking an RBI single up the middle to score junior Kris Simonton.
The Zips (9-9, 1-0) then posted a four-run third inning to put the game out of reach of the Eagles (6-13, 0-1). With runners on the corners, Havrilak singled to push junior Daulton Mosbarger across for the go-ahead run. A pair of run-scoring singles from Iero and redshirt junior Gerrad Rohan followed as the Zips clinched a 5-1 advantage.
EMU posed a scoring threat in the bottom of the sixth inning after leading off with three-straight hits. The offensive attack resulted in one run for the Eagles. Sophomore catcher Brian Lees helped to put an end to the scoring threat by tagging a runner out at home before Valek picked off an EMU baserunner to end the inning.
Redshirt freshman Mason Mamarella then hit into a fielder's choice and forced an EMU error, allowing Akron to tack on the final run of the game as Valek held the Eagles to one hit through the final three innings to secure the 6-2 win.
Akron posted its sixth errorless game of the season and out-hit the Eagles, 11-8. EMU posted two errors on the night.
"It's a huge boost to win the first game, but it won't mean anything if we arent successful in the next games," Rembielak added.
The Zips return to Oestrike Stadium on Saturday for game two against Eastern Michigan, set to begin at 3 p.m.
