The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ball State
Zips Travel to Ball State this Weekend
April 09 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron baseball team returns to Mid-American Conference action when it battles the Ball State Cardinals on the road starting on April 10.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Friday: Audio | Stats
Saturday: Audio | Stats
Sunday: Audio | Stats
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron enters the series with a 14-18 overall record and a 5-10 record in the MAC.
The Zips went 1-1 in mid-week action, with a win over West Virginia Wesleyan while falling to Kent State in a non-conference matchup.
Austin Lafferty hit .600 in mid-week action with three hits, one double, one home run, three RBI and three runs scored. Brody Chrisman hit .500 with three hits, one double, one home run, three RBI and three stolen bases. Prince DeBoskie compiled four hits, two doubles, one triple, three runs scored and one RBI.
Jeremiah Newman threw three scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three in the two mid-week games. John Allen and Parker Munday threw scoreless innings while Landon Vandegrift struck out five over three innings in the start against the Bobcats.
Chrisman leads the Zips in average (.373), runs scored (28), hits (44), doubles (10) and RBI (29), is tied with Easton Amundson for home runs (5) and leads the team in stolen bases (21). Four Zips have hit one triple each, while Blake Bowen leads the squad in walks (36).
On the mound, Brady Bowen leads the staff with a 3-1 record in 10 appearances and 27.1 innings of work with a 1.98 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and a .211 average against. Floyd McKenna leads the way in appearances (14), while being tied with Elijah Griffith for strikeouts (24) and Taylor Bednar for saves (2). Griffith holds the top mark in innings pitched (42.0).
As a team, Akron is hitting .268 with 214 runs scored on 277 hits. The Zips have 182 RBI, 65 doubles, five triples and 22 home runs. The Zips are 89-of-102 on stolen bases this season. The Blue and Gold's pitching staff has allowed 248 runs, 211 earned, while striking out 220 and walking 197.Â
SCOUTING REPORT
Ball State enters the series with a 16-16 overall record and a 10-5 record in the MAC. The Cardinals are 9-3 at home this season.
BSU is coming off an 18-5 victory over Manchester on Wednesday. The Cardinals jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first frame and didn't look back. They scored nine in the fourth and four more in the sixth, along with a run in the second, to earn a seven-inning victory.
Brayden Huebner leads the squad in average (.409), home runs (9) and is tied for the lead in walks (13). Gavin Balius is the leader in runs scored (35) and stolen bases (26). Jacob Gillis holds the top mark in hits (42) while Brett Griffiths is the leader in doubles (11) and triples (4). Ryan Muizelaar leads BSU in RBI (31) with Gillis.
Brendan Garza leads the pitching staff with a 4.40 ERA in eight starts, two complete games, two shutouts, 45.0 innings of work and 44 strikeouts. Jermey Jones has made 12 appearances and three starts while recording two saves and 16 strikeouts. Jeremy Jones has recorded two saves over 12 appearances as well, while striking out 16.'
As a team, Ball State is hitting .292 with 227 runs scored on 323 hits. The Cardinals have 207 RBI, 59 doubles, 10 triples and 40 home runs. The Cardinals are 51-of-61 on stolen bases this season. BSU's pitching staff has allowed 239 runs, 213 earned, while striking out 261 and walking 154.Â
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron returns to Skeeles Field on Tuesday, April 14, to host Youngstown State while traveling to Pittsburgh on April 15.
