Zips Launch Five Homeruns but Falls to CMU

Friday, March 21

Mount Pleasant, MI

3:00 PM

University of Akron

14-14, 1-3

Central Michigan

9-15, 2-2

Akron

Central Michigan

March 21 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI --Akron dropped a double header at Central Michigan as the Chippewas battled back to claim both games on Friday.

GAME 1 | Central Michigan 16, Akron 15

The Akron Zips held a 13-3 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when the CMU offense exploded for nine runs and outscored the Zips 13-2 for a 16-15 win.

Akron was led by Delaney Jenkinson with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate with a homerun, double, two RBI and two runs scored. Alexis Campbell (2-for-3), Katie Cantrell (2-for-3) and Sophia Wygast (1-for-3) added home runs and two RBIs each.

Sophomore Madie Jamrog (6-3) came out of the bullpen for Akron (14-14, 1-3) and took the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Zips got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning. Akron plated two runs when sophomore Sophia Wygast left the yard with freshman Sydney Selker aboard.

The Chippewas then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 2-1 until the Zips expanded their advantage in the third. The Akron offense exploded for six runs, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of sophomore Delaney Jenkinson, which brought the Zips lead to 8-1.

Central Michigan narrowed Akron's lead to 8-3 before the Zips stretched the advantage to 13-3 in the sixth inning. The Zips bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of junior Brooke Sivek and a two-run single from Selker.

The Chippewas gained ground, closing the gap to 13-12 until Akron added some insurance in the seventh. The Zips scored twice on back-to-back home runs from senior Alexis Campbell and sophomore Katie Cantrell, bringing the Akron advantage to 15-12. The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as Central Michigan scored four times in the bottom half of the seventh to grab the 16-15 win.

GAME NOTES

» Jenkinson led the Zips, amassing three hits in the ballgame.
» Akron's power output was led by Jenkinson, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Every Zips starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Akron's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed six runs across.
» Four Akron hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» The Zips took Central Michigan pitchers deep four times on Friday.
» Akron went 5-for-10 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Akron pitchers faced 43 Central Michigan hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out six.
» Jenkinson led the Zips at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI.

GAME 2 | Central Michigan 9, Akron 6

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI --An outstanding offensive output was not enough for Akron on Friday. The Zips tallied six runs, but could not hold the Central Michigan Chippewas at bay, and were bested 9-6.

Freshman Sydney Selker (0-1) got the ball to start for Akron (14-15, 1-4) and took the loss.

Offensively, the Zips were led by Selker, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, two walks and two RBI. Freshman Andrea Day furnished a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Junior Meagan Lee also helped out for Akron, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double, a walk and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 2-0, the Zips first put runs on the board in the third inning. Akron's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Day.

The Zips lost the lead they built in the third, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 5-4. Akron scored twice on Selker's two-run homer, which brought the score to 6-5 in favor of the Zips. The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as Central Michigan scored four times over the remaining two innings to grab the 9-6 win.

GAME NOTES

» Akron's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» Akron pitchers faced 35 Central Michigan hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out two.
» The Zips drew six walks from Central Michigan pitching.
» Selker led the Zips at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.

UP NEXT

The series finale is scheduled for Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m.