The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-16
Ball State
11-8
Akron Offensive Outburst Leads to 18-6 Win in MAC Opener against Ball State
March 13 | Softball
MUNCIE, IN -- The Akron offense exploded for 15 hits to open Mid-American Conference play, defeating Ball State 18-6 on Friday afternoon.
The Zips offense was fueled by five players with multiple hit performances, including Sophia Wygast who went 3-for-6 with a homerun, a double and four RBI. Lily Sullivan followed with a 3-for-4 effort which included a double, RBI and three runs scored, while Sydney Selker registered a homerun and five RBI in a 2-for-5 effort. Meagan Lee (2-for-4) and Delaney Jenkinson (2-for-4) added a pair of hits each, while Kenzie Gatti and Jenkinson both belted homeruns. Haley Glass added a double.Â
Macy Walters (6-7) got the win for Akron (9-16). The right-hander went 4.2 innings, giving up six runs, all of them earned, on nine hits, allowing four walks and striking out two. Madie Jamrog also pitched well, going 2.1 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking none and striking out two.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips got the scoring started early, putting three runs on the board in the top of the first inning. Akron's offense started clicking and put up five runs, including a three-run groundout off the bat of Wygast and a two-run groundout from Selker.
The Zips then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the third inning after the Cardinals cut it to 5-3. Delaney Jenkinson came across to score the lone run of the inning for Akron, which brought the score to 6-3 in favor of the Zips.
Ball State fired back to tie the ballgame at six before Akron reclaimed an 11-6 advantage in the fourth inning. The Zips bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a grand slam off the bat of Gatti.
Akron held the Cardinals scoreless before building on their lead in the sixth inning. Brooke Sivek crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Zips, bringing the score to 12-6 in favor of Akron.
The Zips held Ball State off the scoreboard before expanding their lead to 18-6 the following inning. The Akron offense piled up six runs, highlighted by a two-run groundout off the bat of Selker and a two-run groundout from Haley Glass. The score remained 18-6 for the rest of the game, as the Zips coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Akron got three-hit games from both Wygast and Lily Sullivan.
» The Zips power output was led by Wygast, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Three different Akron hitters drove in at least four runs.
» Every Akron starter reached base safely in the win.
» Akron's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed six runs across.
» Akron took a 5-2 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Five Zips had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Akron hitters hit four dingers in the ballgame.
» The Zips had a total of 15 hits.
» The Zips out-hit the Cardinals at a 15-10 clip.
» Akron went 7-for-21 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» The Zips got two hits in four at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Akron pitchers faced 35 Ball State hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out four.
» The Zips drew 11 walks from Ball State pitching.
» Wygast led the Zips at the plate, going 3 for 6 with a double, a home run and four RBIs.
UP NEXT
Akron will be back in action against Ball State in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 14, starting at 1 p.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Walters, Macy (6-7)
L: Kita, Brinkley (3-1)
Batting:
2B: Wygast, Sophia 1 ; Sullivan, Lily 1 ; Glass, Haley 1
HR: Wygast, Sophia 1 ; Selker, Sydney 1 ; Jenkinson, Delaney 1 ; Gatti, Kenzie 1
RBI: Wygast, Sophia 4 ; Sullivan, Lily 1 ; Lee, Meagan 1 ; Selker, Sydney 5 ; Glass, Haley 2 ; Jenkinson, Delaney 1 ; Gatti, Kenzie 4
SF: Sullivan, Lily 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sivek, Brooke 3 ; Wygast, Sophia 1 ; Sullivan, Lily 3 ; Lee, Meagan 1 ; Cantrell, Katie 1 ; Selker, Sydney 2 ; Glass, Haley 1 ; Jenkinson, Delaney 3 ; Day, Andrea 1 ; Gatti, Kenzie 1 ; Lehnherr, Sammy 1
SB: Sivek, Brooke 1 ; Jenkinson, Delaney 1
HBP: Sullivan, Lily 1
Batting:
2B: Pietrzak, Maia 1 ; DeRoeck, Lindsey 1
RBI: Pietrzak, Maia 3 ; Whitney, Ella 1 ; Pogue, Skylinn 1 ; Lovett, Ashlee 1
SF: Lovett, Ashlee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lauth, Mandy 1 ; Pietrzak, Maia 2 ; Kelley, Paige 1 ; Thurman, Jordyn 1 ; Pogue, Skylinn 1
SB: Pietrzak, Maia 1
HBP: Kelley, Paige 1
