The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Sweep Northern Illinois, 1-0 and 8-2
April 28 | Softball
April 28, 2006
Box Score- Game 1
Box Score- Game 2
AKRON, Ohio - Freshman pitcher Julie Boyes (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake) pitched all 14 innings en route to two victories as the Zips swept Northern Illinois, 1-0 and 8-2 Friday afternoon at Lee Jackson Field.
With the win, Akron improves to 23-18 overall, 12-4 in Mid-American Conference play. Northern Illinois falls to 18-12, 6-10 MAC. The Zips are currently in first in the East Division.
Akron jumped on NIU starter Taryn Hagemann for five runs in the bottom of the second inning. Jaclyn Spirtos (Medina, Ohio/Highland), who had reached on a singled, scored on an error by Hagemann. With the bases loaded and one out, Carrese Moody (Galloway, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) singled to score Amy Pedro (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont), and Deanna McCauley (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) came home on a fielding error by the right fielder.
A two-out single from Cali Stratton (Liberty, Mo./Liberty) brought home two more runs as Moody and Zilles both crossed home plate.
Akron took an 8-0 lead in the third inning as Lisa McLean
(Canton, Ohio/Perry) led off with a double and made it to third on
Spirtos' single before an error in left field allowed her to
score.
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Northern Illinois came back with two runs in the fourth with an RBI single to second by Ellen Stoddard, and a ground out from Michele Nendza that scored pinch runner Katie Colby.
In game one, Akron got all the offense it needed in the bottom of the fourth as McLean's double off the right center field wall scored pinch runner Paige Smith (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) from second base.
Boyes (10-6) would cruise to victory, matching her season high with nine strikeouts, including five in a row. She allowed just two hits in seven innings of work, along with two walks.
Akron continues Mid-American Conference play tomorrow as it plays host to Western Michigan. The two-game series kicks off with a single contest at 2 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field.
