The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Buffalo
Valek, Beaver Allow Three Total Hits in Baseball's 4-1 Victory over Buffalo
May 08 | Baseball
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Box Score (PDF)
AKRON, Ohio – Junior starting pitcher John Valek III starved Buffalo of a run until the seventh inning on Friday, allowing just three hits in 7.0 innings pitched to lead Akron to a 4-1 victory over the Bulls at Lee R. Jackson Field.
The win moves Akron to 23-24 overall and 11-11 in the MAC while Buffalo falls to 14-30 and 6-16 in conference play.
In addition to allowing just one run and three hits, all singles, Valek (6-5) walked one and struck out two. The lefty retired 13-straight batters between the end of the third inning and beginning of the seventh to keep the UB offense quiet. He threw 108 pitches, 73 for strikes.
Junior right-hander Zach Beaver took over on the mound after Valek's exit and struck out the side swinging in his first inning of work. Beaver earned his second save of the season and posted four strikeouts in 2.0 hitless innings of relief.
Beaver and Valek combined to allow three total hits, a season-best mark for the Zips' pitching staff.
Offensively, redshirt junior designated hitter Gerrad Rohan went 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a pair of RBI. Infielders Dom Iero and Matt Rembielak each registered one RBI on the day.
Akron's four runs were distributed throughout the first four innings.
The Zips got out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after sophomore catcher Brian Lees clubbed a two-out double. Rohan pushed him across with a single up the middle for the early advantage.
Rohan clubbed an RBI singled again in the third inning to initiate a two-run frame and score Joey Havrilak . Iero followed with another run-scoring single in the next at bat to plate Lees for a 3-0 lead.
Akron's final run was sent across when Rembielak ripped an RBI double down the right field line.
An RBI single from Mitchell Machi in the seventh inning gave the Bulls their lone run of the day and rounded out the scoring.
Overall, Akron out-hit UB, 9-3, and played errorless baseball. The Bulls posted one error. UA also recorded three stolen bases in the affair, coming from Havrilak, Iero and redshirt sophomore outfielder Mason Mamarella.
Akron's six graduating seniors, Andrew Fanning, Havrilak, Zak Knettel, Matt LaRocca, Rembielak, and Darius Washington were each recognized with a diploma presentation on the field before the game. UA provost Mike Sherman was on hand to present the student-athletes with their degrees.
The three-game series between the Zips and the Bulls continues on Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch at Lee Jackson Field.
