The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Presbyterian
Akron Baseball Opens 2026 Season with a Pair of Doubleheaders at Presbyterian
February 12 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron baseball team takes to the diamond for the first time in 2026 when it travels to Clinton, S.C., to battle Presbyterian College on February 13 and 14. Akron and Presbyterian will battle in a pair of double-headers on Friday and Saturday, with the first game of each day featuring a seven-inning game and the second game a nine-inning contest.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday | (GM1) Stats | (GM2) Video | Stats
Saturday | (GM1) Stats | (GM2) Stats
INSIDE THE SERIES
First Meeting | Faulds vs Presbyterian: 0-0
COMMON OPPONENTS
Northern Illinois (MAC), Western Carolina (SoCon)
SCOUTING REPORT
The Blue Hose concluded the 2025 season with a 17-35 overall record and a 9-15 record in the Big South. Presbyterian went 13-12 at home, 4-21 on the road and 0-2 on neutral ground.
This will be the second year in a row that Presbyterian will battle a team from the MAC, with the Blue Hose battling Bowling Green last season. Presbyterian will also face Northern Illinois this year, along with hosting the Zips.
Trey Fenderson led the Blue Hose in batting average (.374), hits (64), doubles (16), stolen bases (14) and was second in slugging (.571) in 2025. The Blue Hose had two players hit a team-high two triples, while Ryan Ouzts led the way with nine home runs. Amman Dewberry was the leader in RBI (42).
On the mound, Sean Hollister led the Blue Hose with a team-high four wins and 25 appearances. Tyrell Williams threw a team-leading 55.2 innings over 16 appearances and eight starts. Tristan McGregor struck out a team-high 42 batters for the Blue Hose last season.
The Blue Hose will travel to Elon for a mid-week contest on February 17 before returning home to battle NJIT (Feb.20), NIU (Feb. 21) and Valparaiso (Feb. 22).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips are coming off a 20-34 2025 season that included 12 wins at Skeeles Field. Akron went 9-21 in the MAC and concluded the 2025 campaign on a four-game winning streak. Akron took down Youngstown State while sweeping Mercyhurst to conclude the season.
The Blue and Gold will start the season with 12 games away from Skeeles Field. After battling Presbyterian, Akron will travel to Millington, Tenn., to battle Western Illinois while also traveling to Western Carolina, NC State and North Carolina A&T before hosting Dayton on March 4.
Andrew Horvath led the Zips in batting average (.350) and hits (70) in 2025 while ranking second in doubles (14) and third in RBI (29). Max Bowman hit a team-leading six home runs and shared the lead for RBI (35) with Jack Poist. Posit, along with his 35 RBI, led the Zips in stolen bases (20) and was tied for the most triples (2).
On the mound, Jack Kelley earned a team-leading four wins over 12 appearances and 11 starts. Johnny Anservitz recorded a team-leading 3.46 ERA over 20 appearances and collected a team-high six saves. Anservitz also recorded 32 strikeouts over 26 innings. Jared Schaeffer led the way in innings pitched (85.2), complete games (1) and strikeouts (79). Schaeffer appeared and started 14 games for Akron last season.
WHO RETURNS
Akron sees 14 players return from the 2025 squad. Those players include Parker Munday, Austin Lafferty, Kyle McConachie, Derek Occhipinti, Nathan Currah, Jack Fenton, Elijah Griffith, John Allen, Landon Vandegrift, Josiah Ross, Taylor Bednar, Blake Bowen, Henry Hayman and Will Heisler.
MEET THE NEWCOMERS
The Zips will be bolstered by 22 newcomers, which include 15 transfers and seven freshmen. Coach Bryan Faulds has brought in transfers Gio Melchione, Jeremiah Newman, Brody Chrisman, Kelton Phillips, Tucker Biehl, Ryan Jones, Adison Mattix, Samuel Guadamuz, Brennan Morgan, Easton Amundson, Prince DeBoskie, Mitchel Szymczak, Atticus Huffstutler, Floyd McKenna and Matt Brown. Coach Fauld's 2026 roster also includes freshmen Ben Winge, Garrett Groce, Cy Herchelroath, Brady Bowen, Gabe Mathison, Carter Beck and Trieg Matthews.
PRESEASON POLL
The Akron Zips were picked to finish 10th in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
Miami (OH) was picked to finish first and received six first-place votes. Kent State was tabbed to finish second and received four first-place votes, while Ball State rounded out the top three and earned the remaining two first-place votes.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron stays on the road as it travels to Millington, Tenn., to battle Western Illinois from February 20-22.
