The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Western Illinois
Akron Battles Western Illinois This Weekend
February 19 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron baseball team returns to the road for a three-game series against Western Illinois in Millington, Tenn., at USA Stadium starting on Friday, February 20.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday: Stats
Saturday: Stats
Sunday: Stats
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron Leads 5-1 | Faulds vs WIU: 0-0
First Met: May. 10, 1991 (Akron 4, WIU 0)
Last Met: May, 1991 (Akron 8, WIU 7)
COMMON OPPONENTS
None
SCOUTING REPORT
The Leathernecks enter the series with the Zips 0-3 overall after falling to San Francisco to open the 2026 season. After dropping the season opener 2-0, Western Illinois fell 5-4 and 10-6 in a doubleheader to conclude the series.
Wandel Campana leads the offense with a .375 average and is one of three players with three hits. He is also tied for the lead in runs with two. Two Leathernecks are tied with one double, while Isaiah Monge has hit the lone home run of the season and leads the way in RBI (3). Joe Connolly is the leader in stolen bases (1).
On the mound, two Leathernecks have a team-high three innings of work, while Max Tripure holds the high mark in strikeouts (6). Two pitchers hold an ERA of 0.00 with two innings of work.
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron enters the series with Western Illinois, sporting a 2-2 record. Akron split a pair of doubleheaders with Presbyterian, falling in both games on the first day while sweeping the final day of competition.
Brennan Morgan leads Akron in average (.571) and hits (8). Henry Hayman holds the lead for doubles (3), while Brody Chrisman has the team-high in home runs (3) and RBI (7). Easton Amundson has the lone triple of the season, while Kelton Phillips leads the way in stolen bases (7)
On the mound, Cy Herchelroath leads the staff in ERA (1.80) and innings pitched (5), while tied for wins (1). Taylor Bednar leads the way in saves (1) and is tied with Josiah Ross for total appearances (2). Carter Beck leads the way in strikeouts (4).
As a team, Akron is hitting .293 with 29 runs scored on 39 hits. The Zips have 24 RBI, 11 doubles, one triple and four home runs. The Zips are 14-of-15 on stolen bases this season. The Blue and Gold's pitching staff has allowed 25 runs, 18 earned, while striking out 27 and walking 18.
HOT START TO THE SEASON
A plethora of Zips made an impact in the season-opening series at Presbyterian. Brennan Morgan led the offense with a .571 batting average while collecting four runs, eight hits, two doubles and four RBI. Henry Hayman hit .444 with four hits, three doubles and two RBI. Brody Chrisman compiled three home runs as part of a seven-hit series, while hitting .438 and adding two doubles and seven RBI. Kelton Phillips had six hits, a .375 average, one RBI, five runs and seven stolen bases.
On the Mound, Cy Herchelroath earned his first win as a Zip after dealing five innings in the final game of the series with one hit and one run allowed while striking out five.
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 down south as it ventures to battle Western Carolina (Feb.24) and NC State (Feb. 25) before battling North Carolina A&T for a three-game series from Feb. 27-Mar. 1.
