The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Canisius
Baseball Drops Midweek Contest at Canisius, 3-2
April 01 | Baseball
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Box Score (PDF)
Buffalo, N.Y. – The University of Akron baseball team nearly recovered from a 3-0 deficit with a two-run sixth inning on Wednesday but could not push another run across as it fell to Canisius, 3-2, at Demske Sports Complex.
"Coming back in the sixth was good to see but we didn't finish as we let three golden opportunities to either tie or go ahead slip by us," said head coach Rick Rembielak.
Redshirt senior outfielder Joey Havrilak, who led Akron (12-14) after going 2-for-4 at the dish, knocked a two-out triple to right field in the sixth. Junior Kris Simonton followed with an RBI double to plate Havrilak before an RBI single from sophomore catcher Brian Lees scored Simonton to come within one of Canisius.
"We had a chance to score but shot ourselves in the foot in the seventh when the first two reached base. We got picked off at second base on a missed bunt attempt followed by a strike out and fly ball," Rembielak said.
Back-to-back RBI hits in the second inning put Canisius (13-15) on the board first with a 2-0 lead. The Golden Griffins extended their lead in the following frame on a two-out RBI single, enough to keep the game out of reach of the Zips.
Starter Josh Davis (2-2) threw 3.0 innings and fanned six of the 14 batters he faced in his second career start. The sophomore right-hander allowed five hits and three runs. He combined with relievers Josh Lapiana and Matt LaRocca to not deliver a walk in the affair.
Lapiana, a freshman, made his seventh appearance and posted 4.0 scoreless innings of relief where he allowed four hits after taking over on the mound for Davis. LaRocca then pitched the final inning and fanned one.
Six Canisius pitchers combined to hold Akron to six hits. Reliever Zachary Sloan tossed a pair of scoreless innings and struck out two Zips batters to pick up the win.
Overall, the Golden Griffins recorded nine hits to Akron's six, while each team posted one error. Sophomore Dom Iero and LaRocca each registered a stolen base for the Zips.
Akron is back in action when it travels to take on MAC foe Ball State in a three-game series set to begin on Friday, April 3, at 3 p.m.
