The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Eastern Michigan
Mosbarger Shines as Baseball Falls to Eastern Michigan, 3-1
March 21 | Baseball
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YPSILANTI, Mich. – A perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate from junior Daulton Mosbarger was not enough to lift the University of Akron baseball team over Eastern Michigan on Saturday as the Zips fell, 3-1, against the Eagles at Oestrike Stadium.
After UA held a 1-0 advantage in the top of the fifth inning, Eastern Michigan would score one run in each of the final three frames to edge Akron.
"We simply did not play well on both sides of the ball. Offensively, we had too many holes in each inning where we didn't string hits together to threaten more," said head coach Rick Rembielak.
Mosbarger issued strong performances for Akron (9-10, 1-1) as both a designated hitter and reliever. In addition to his perfect 4-for-4 showing, which accounted for half of Akron's eight hits, Mosbarger collected the Zips' lone RBI. Defensively, Mosbarger also contributed 1.2 innings of relief after taking over for junior starter JT Brubaker.
Brubaker (1-3) absorbed the loss after pitching 6.1 innings and holding the Eagles scoreless through five frames. He allowed ten hits and two runs while walking one and fanning two.
"It was not the most efficient performance by Brubaker, but he kept it close enough. Eastern took the lead with two outs on a pitch location mistake," Rembielak said. "The series is at stake tomorrow and a cleaner performance is needed by everyone."
While Brubaker kept Eastern Michigan (7-13, 1-1) quiet through five, redshirt freshman outfielder Mason Mamarella led off the fifth inning with a single to spark Akron's offense. Freshman infielder Alex Dirienzo used a sacrifice bunt to advance Mamarella into scoring position before Mosbarger's double sent him home for the 1-0 Akron lead.
Eastern Michigan broke through Brubaker in the bottom of the sixth when a pair of singles combined to plate a run and tie the game at 1-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Mosbarger stepped to the mound and inherited a bases-loaded, no-out jam. The left-hander held EMU to a two-out sacrifice fly as the Eagles led 2-1 with the run being pinned on Brubaker.
Mosbarger allowed one hit and one run in his outing, coming in the bottom of the eighth for the 3-1 result. The junior walked one and struck out one.
EMU posted 11 hits as Brubaker and Mosbarger starved the Eagles of an extra-base knock.
In addition to Mosbarger's four hits on offense, sophomore Dom Iero and Mamarella each posted a pair as the Akron offense was held to one run or less for just the second time this season.
The win went to Eastern Michigan starter Charlie Land (1-3) who pitched 7.1 innings, allowing seven hits and Akron's only run.
The series finale between the Zips and the Eagles is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Oestrike Stadium.
