The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Canisius
Baseball Falls to Canisius, 5-3, in Final Midweek Game
May 12 | Baseball
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AKRON, Ohio – A strong start from freshman pitcher Josh Lapiana and a three-RBI day for redshirt senior outfielder Darius Washington was not enough to lift the University of Akron baseball team over Canisius on Tuesday as the Zips fell, 5-3, at Lee R. Jackson Field.
After the Zips (24-26) knotted the game at 3-all in the bottom of the fourth, both teams remained quiet for three innings until a two-run eighth from the Golden Griffins (26-27) doomed the Zips.
Lapiana tossed a career-high 7.0 innings and allowed just one earned run. The left-hander allowed nine hits and three total runs while walking one and striking out two. He left the game with the score tied at 3-all.
Offensively, Washington raked in all three of Akron's RBI and went 2-for-4 at the dish. Redshirt junior infielder Gerrad Rohan also issued a 2-for-4 performance.
Canisius plated an early run on a passed ball in the opening frame for a 1-0 lead.
Washington quickly put the Zips ahead, 2-1, with his two-run double with two outs in the second inning to plate Derek Carmichael and Dom Iero, who reached on walks.
The Golden Griffins jumped back in the lead with two runs off two hits and an Akron error in the top of the third for a 3-2 edge.
Washington then responded with a game-tying RBI single that pushed Billy Salem across the plate in the bottom of the fourth.
The Golden Griffins' go-ahead run in the eighth crossed on an Akron error and was followed by an RBI single for the insurance run.
Sophomore reliever Josh Davis (3-4) was tagged with the loss. Davis turned in 1.0 inning pitched, three hits and two runs, one earned.
The Golden Griffins' reliever, Zachary Sloan (4-1), got the win after tossing two scoreless innings.
Overall, Canisius out-hit the Zips, 13-8, while Akron committed two errors to the Golden Griffins' one.
The Zips will look ahead to the final regular-season Mid-American Conference series of the year against crosstown rival Kent State. The three-game set will begin on Thursday at Canal Park in downtown Akron for the annual Diamond Classic for the Kids game. Tickets are just $5 with all proceeds benefitting the Akron Children's Hospital. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., on Thursday. The series will continue with a 4 p.m. game on Friday and Saturday at Lee Jackson Field.
