Zips Fall to Western Michigan 4-3 and 4-1 for First MAC Series Loss

Saturday, March 28

Kalamazoo, MI

2 PM

University of Akron

14-18, 6-2

Western Michigan

15-14, 4-4

Akron Zips

Western Michigan

Zips Fall to Western Michigan 4-3 and 4-1 for First MAC Series Loss

March 28 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- It was a tough day for the Akron Zips softball team as they held the lead in a pair of setbacks to the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday afternoon by scores of 4-3 and 4-1 leading to their first Mid-American Conference series loss of the season. Despite scoring the first run in both contests, the Zips battled to the final inning in both games as WMU was able to secure two walk-off victories at their home field.

GAME 1 | Western Michigan 4, Akron 3

Akron scored one run in the first inning and two runs in the top of the seventh inning for a 3-1 lead with three outs remaining. The Broncos scored the trio of runs in the bottom half of the inning to secure the game one win.

The Akron offense was led by Meagan Lee and Lily Sullivan with a pair of 2 for 4 performances at the plate. Lee scored twice for Akron, while Sullivan collected two RBI. Kenzie Gatti and Katie Cantrell added a hit each to the Zips six total hits in the game.

Macy Walters (7-9) got the ball to start for Akron (14-18, 6-2) and took the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Zips got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Akron got an RBI single from junior Lily Sullivan, scoring senior Meagan Lee from third base.

After the Broncos rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Zips came back to retake the lead in the seventh inning. Akron brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Sullivan's single, which brought the Zips lead to 3-1. The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as Western Michigan scored three times in the bottom half of the seventh to grab the 4-3 win.

GAME NOTES

» Akron's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Zips got two hits in five at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Akron pitchers faced 33 Tufts hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
» The Zips drew five walks from Tufts pitching.
» Sullivan led the Zips at the plate, going 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

GAME 2 | Western Michigan 4, Akron 1

Again the Zips started the game with a 1-0 advantage after the first inning as the Broncos needed late game heroics by Jordan Smith in extra-innings to complete the doublheader sweep. With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Smith blasted a three-run homer for a 4-1 win. The Zips managed six hits in game two by six different players. Lee went 1 for 3 with a run scored and Sophia Wygast had a hit with an RBI in five trips to the plate.

Madie Jamrog (4-5) started and took the loss in the circle for Akron (14-19, 6-3). The right-hander went 8.1 innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on nine hits, allowing four walks and striking out three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Zips got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Akron got an RBI single from junior Sophia Wygast, scoring senior Meagan Lee from second base. The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as Western Michigan scored four times over the remaining eight innings to grab the 4-1 win.

GAME NOTES

» Akron's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed one run across.
» Akron left 12 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Akron pitchers limited Western Michigan to just 3-for-15 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Akron pitchers faced 40 Western Michigan hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out three.
» The Zips drew seven walks from Western Michigan pitching.
» Lee led the Zips at the plate, going 1 for 3.

UP NEXT

Akron will be back in action on Friday and Saturday, April 3-4 as they host the Toledo Rockets for a three-game MAC series at Lee R. Jackson Field.