The University of Akron Athletics
Duquesne Outlasts Zips 8-7
April 11 | Baseball
Box Score
AKRON - Back-to-back home runs in the top of the ninth ended a back-and-forth contest and lifted Duquesne to an 8-7 win over Akron at the Zips' Lee Jackson Field this afternoon. Akron loses its fourth straight and falls to 5-19 on the season, while Duquesne improves to 11-16.
After Jason Startari and Adam Brooks gave the Dukes the lead in the top half of the inning, the Zips had a chance at the comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Brady Steineck led off the inning with a double, and when Ty Moorhead singled to center, it looked like the game would be knotted at eight. However, Steineck was cut down at the plate on a strong throw from centerfielder Mark Lyons and relief pitcher Brian Lowder got Jim Gemler to ground out to short to end the game.
Lowder (2-2) pitched a pair of scoreless innings to pick up the win, while Aaron Gangi (0-4) suffered the loss for Akron.
Coming off a late loss to Youngstown State last night, the Zips
opened strong, taking advantage of a Duquesne error and some timely
hitting from Brady Steineck and Steve Bowers to take a 2-0 lead in
the first inning. The Zips extended that lead to 5-0 in the second
when doubles by Steineck and Jim Gemler pushed three runs across
the plate and chased Dukes' starter Matt O'Neill.
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Behind starter Ryan Rankin, Akron held that lead until the fifth inning. Getting to Rankin for the first time all afternoon, the Dukes used a wild pitch and four walks as a catalyst for a six-run frame that vaulted them ahead 6-5.
However, Gemler was the equalizer the next inning, driving out his third homer of the season to knot the score at 6-6. Akron regained the lead in the sixth when Dan Swallie singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a fielder's choice and then scored on a double-play. The Zips held that 7-6 lead until the top of the ninth.
Steineck went 3-4 with two runs and an RBI on the day, while Gemler was 2-4 with three RBI and Bowers was 2-3 with one ribbie. Ben McCauley pitched a pair of scoreless, hitless ininngs.
Akron welcomes Ohio to Lee Jackson Field this weekend for a MAC series. The Zips and Bobcats square off at 3 p.m. on Fri., April 13, meet in a doubleheader on Sat., April 14, at 1 p.m. and close out the series on Sun., April 15, at 1 p.m.
