Zips Split Doubleheader With Radford to Begin 2025 Season

Friday, February 14

Radford, VA

12:00 PM

University of Akron

1-0

Radford

0-1

Akron Zips

Radford

Zips Split Doubleheader With Radford to Begin 2025 Season

February 14 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

RADFORD, Va. - The Akron baseball team split a doubleheader with the Radford Highlanders to begin the 2025 season on Friday.

Going into extra innings in both games, the Zips (1-1) won the first game of the day 12-11 in 10 innings while falling 10-9 in the second game in 11 innings to conclude the twin bill.

GAME 1 | Akron 12, Radford 11
RADFORD, Va. - The Akron Zips broke through a 6-6 tie heading to the eighth inning to grab a 12-11 win against the Radford Highlanders in 10 innings Friday.

The Zips had three players record multiple hits, led by Sophomore Charlie Schebler's three hits which resulted in two RBI. Senior Andrew Horvath and redshirt freshman Blake Bowen each recorded a pair of hits each while senior Jack Poist hit a grand slam, drove in four RBI and walked three times.

Senior Sean Perkins (1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Akron (1-0). The right-hander went 0.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit, allowing no walks and striking out two. Senior Johnny Anservitz also made an impact on the mound for the Zips, throwing one shutout inning while allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts to earn the save.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Akron plated two runs off of Radford pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Horvath.

The Zips lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 4-2. The Akron offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Bowen, which brought the Zips lead to 6-4.

Radford clawed back to even the ballgame at six before Akron reclaimed an 11-6 advantage in the eighth inning. The Zips bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a grand slam off the bat of Poist.

The Highlanders then tied the game at 11 before Akron fought back to reclaim their advantage in the tenth inning. Sophomore Nicky Sackett crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Zips, bringing the score to 12-11 in favor of Akron. The score remained 12-11 for the rest of the game, as the Zips held on for the win.

GAME NOTES

» Schebler had three hits in the game for Akron.

» Junior Jared Schaeffer struck out five Highlanders hitters.

» Poist drove in four runs for Akron.

» The Akron pitching staff combined to strike out 14 Radford hitters.

» Akron's highest-scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed five runs across.

» Akron went 5-for-14 (.357) with runners in scoring position.

» Akron pitchers faced 52 Radford hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 14.

» The Zips drew eight walks from Radford pitching.

» Poist led the Zips at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBI.

GAME 2 | Radford 10, Akron 9
RADFORD, Va. - The Akron Zips fell 10-9 in an 11-inning matchup to the Radford Highlanders Friday.

In the batter's box, the Zips were led by sophomore Evan Bottone, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a double, a walk and an RBI. Bowen compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and two RBI. Poist also contributed for Akron, putting together two hits in six trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.

Sophomore Jett Slepak (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Akron (1-1).

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Horvath came across to score the lone run of the inning for Akron and get them on the board.

The Highlanders then rallied to score seven runs and take a 7-1 lead before the Zips got back on the board in the eighth. The Akron offense exploded for eight runs, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Bowen and a two-run single from Schebler, which brought the score to 9-7 in favor of the Zips. The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as Radford scored three times over the remaining three innings to grab the 10-9 win.

GAME NOTES

» Zips pitchers combined to strike out 13 Radford hitters.

» Akron's highest-scoring inning was the eighth when it pushed eight runs across.

» The Zips out-hit the Highlanders at a 9-8 clip.

» Akron pitchers faced 52 Radford hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out 13.

» The Zips drew five walks from Radford pitching.

» Bottone led the Zips at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips and Highlanders conclude the series on Sunday, February 16 at 10:30 a.m.