Akron splits second day of Blue Raider Classic

Saturday, February 28

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

3 PM

University of Akron

6-12

Middle Tennessee

8-10

Akron

Middle Tenn.

February 28 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee --The Akron Zips split a doubleheader with Middle Tennessee and UT Martin, defeating MTSU 8-7 after rallying from a 5-5 stalemate in the sixth inning to win 8-7. However Akron took a 1-0 lead late into the game against the Skyhawks who rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the win.

GAME 1 --Macy Walters (2-5) got the win for Akron (6-12). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up seven runs, all of them earned, on 11 hits, allowing three walks and striking out three.

In the batter's box, the Zips were paced by Sophia Wygast, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a double, a home run and four RBIs, while Lily Sullivan and Katie Cantrell went 3-for-4 as well.Sullivan registered two doubles and Cantrel had three singles. Kylie Bailey also assisted with the win, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a triple and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Zips were trailing 1-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Akron's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a three-run home run off the bat of Wygast.

After the Blue Raiders rallied to tie the ballgame at four, the Zips came back to retake the lead in the sixth inning. Sullivan came across to score the lone run of the inning for Akron, which brought the score to 5-4 in favor of the Zips.

Middle Tennessee fired back to tie the ballgame at five before Akron reclaimed an 8-5 advantage in the seventh inning. Middle Tennessee put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Akron still held on for the 8-7 win.

GAME NOTES

» Akron got three-hit games from three different hitters.
» The Zips had both Sullivan and Wygast smack multiple extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Wygast drove in four runs for Akron.
» Akron's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» Four Zips had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Zips out-hit the Blue Raiders at a 14-11 clip.
» Akron pitchers faced 35 Middle Tennessee hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» Wygast led the Zips at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double, a home run and four RBIs.

GAME 2 --The Akron Zips took a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning, but could not hold on and fell 2-1 to the UT Martin Skyhawks Saturday.

Ma. Lee (1-2) came out of the bullpen for Akron (6-13) and took the loss. S. Selker was a bright spot for the Zips, starting the ballgame and throwing four scoreless innings, allowing three hits, with four walks and two strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Zips got on the scoreboard first, starting in the sixth inning. S. Wygast came across to score the lone run of the inning for Akron and get them on the board. The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as UT Martin scored two times over the remaining one inning to grab the 2-1 win.

GAME NOTES

» Akron's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed one run across.
» Akron pitchers faced 30 UT Martin hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and four fly balls while striking out two.
» The Zips drew five walks from UT Martin pitching.
» Wygast led the Zips at the plate, going 1 for 1 with a double.

The Zips will play UT Martin for a third time this weekend on Sunday at noon.