The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Northern Illinois
Akron Hosts Northern Illinois this Weekend
April 16 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron baseball team hosts the Northern Illinois Huskies for a three-game MAC series starting on Friday, April 17.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday: Video | Stats
Saturday: Video | Stats
Sunday: Video | Stats
COMMON OPPONENTS (NON-MAC SCHOOLS)
North Carolina A&T (CAA)
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron enters the series with a 16-21 overall record and a 6-12 record in the MAC. The Zips went 1-1 in mid-week action, winning 11-1 against Youngstown State while falling 13-2 at Pittsburgh.
Brady Bowen led the Zips at the plate with a 4-for-5 performance in mid-week action. He hit one double, drove in two runs, scored three times and stole one base. Tucker Biehl, Easton Amundson, Mitchel Szymczak and Brody Chrisman all recorded two hits. Szymczak hit. 667 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Amundson had a home run, an RBI and a run scored. Biehl scored one along with his two hits, while Chrisman had a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
John Allen threw four scoreless innings against Youngstown State while allowing just one hit to record the win. Taylor Bednar threw a scoreless and hitless inning of work while Parker Munday dealt a scoreless inning of relief that featured one hit and three strikeouts.
Chrisman leads the Zips in average (.372), runs scored (33), hits (51), doubles (12), home runs (8), RBI (34) and stolen bases (21). Four Zips have hit one triple each, while Blake Bowen leads the squad in walks (40).
On the mound, Brady Bowen leads the staff with a 3-2 record in 11 appearances and one start through 36.0 innings of work with a 1.50 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and a .183 average against. Floyd McKenna and Josiah Ross lead the way in appearances (15), while McKenna is tied with Brady Bowen for strikeouts (26) and holds the top mark in saves (3). Elijah Griffith holds the top mark in innings pitched (47.1).
As a team, Akron is hitting .272 with 244 runs scored on 324 hits. The Zips have 210 RBI, 72 doubles, five triples and 31 home runs. The Zips are 100-of-118 on stolen bases this season. The Blue and Gold's pitching staff has allowed 284 runs, 239 earned, while striking out 249 and walking 223.Â
SCOUTING REPORT
The Huskies enter the series with a 20-11 overall record and a 12-6 record in the MAC. NIU is 13-8 on the road this season while holding a 7-3 record at home.
NIU has gone 6-4 over its last 10, going 2-1 against Bowling Green, UMass and Kent State while falling to Eastern Illinois in a non-conference battle.
This will mark the final time Akron and Northern Illinois will battle as MAC foes, with the Huskies moving to the Horizon League next season for baseball.
Cole Smith leads the Huskies in average (.381), runs scored (30), hits (48), doubles (13) and triples (3). Caden Robertson leads the way in home runs (11) and RBI (39), while Ivan Dahlberg is the leader in walks (26) and Charlie Parcell leads the way in stolen bases (14).
On the mound, Max Vaisvila leads the way in ERA (2.70) through nine appearances and starts and holds a 6-0 record. Vaisvila has thrown two complete games and leads the staff with 56.2 innings of work and 59 strikeouts. Matt Tarr leads the Huskies in saves with three in 15 appearances and 22 strikeouts over 16.2 innings.
As a team, NIU is hitting .273 with 209 runs scored on 293 hits. The Zips have 200 RBI, 59 doubles, nine triples and 32 home runs. The Huskies are 45-of-50 on stolen bases this season. Northern Illinois' pitching staff has allowed 192 runs, 175 earned, while striking out 268 and walking 140.Â
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips head to Columbus, Ohio, to battle Ohio State on Tuesday, April 21, for a 6 p.m. start.
