The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Central Michigan
Baseball Opens MAC Tournament with 5-4 Upset Win against Top-Seeded CMU
May 20 | Baseball
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AVON, Ohio – A two-run eighth inning lifted the No. 8 seeded University of Akron baseball team to a 5-4 comeback upset victory over No. 1 Central Michigan in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament Wednesday evening at All Pro Freight Stadium.
After entering the eighth frame trailing by one run, redshirt freshman outfielder Mason Mamarella forced a one-out CMU error. A Brian Lees single set Mamarella up to score the tying run on a ground out. Sophomore infielder Dom Iero followed with an RBI single to plate the go-ahead run for the 5-4 result.
In addition to batting in the game-winner, Iero led the Zips at the plate with a 3-for-4 showing.
Redshirt senior outfielder Joey Havrilak contributed a 2-for-5, one RBI performance while Rohan extended his hit streak to 13 games.
Left-handed senior reliever Pat Dyer (5-2) picked up the win after tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. He held the Chippewas to two hits. Dyer took over for junior starter John Valek III who turned in 6.0 innings, seven hits and four runs. He walked one and fanned five.
Redshirt senior reliever Matt LaRocca was awarded his tenth save of the season after picking up the final out.
The Zips got on the board first when a pair of extra-base hits in the top of the third handed them a 2-0 lead. Havrilak sent an RBI double to right-center to score the game's first run. Mamarella then clubbed his first career triple to plate UA's second run.
CMU was quick to counter, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the inning with the help of a two-run homer from Central Michigan's Alex Borglin. The Chippewas led, 3-2, through three.
Each team tacked on a run in the fourth with Akron's coming on a ground out off the bat of junior designated hitter Daulton Mosbarger for another brief one-run advantage.
The Chippewas reassumed the lead at 4-3 off two hits in the bottom of the fourth before being shut down by UA pitchers. Both teams remained scoreless until Akron's two-run eighth.
UA and Central Michigan ended the game tied at nine hits apiece.
The victory marks the second-straight year that Akron has defeated CMU to open MAC Tournament play.
With the win, Akron will take on No. 5 Ball State on Thursday at 8 p.m. at All Pro Freight Stadium.
