Zips Sweep On Day One of Panera Bread Classic

February 23 | Softball

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -

Playing outdoors for the first time this season, the Zips were victorious in both games on day one of the Panera Bread Classic at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, defeating St. Francis, 3-2, and Vermont, 5-4.

In game two vs. Vermont, the Zips got out to a quick start, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Carrese Moody (Galloway, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) led off with a walk and went to second on Kelsie Hanson's (Katy, Texas/Katy) single back to the pitcher. A fielder's choice from Julie Boyes (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake) and an error loaded the bases with no outs. Moody scored the first run on a wild pitch, and Hanson came home on a base hit from Cali Stratton (Liberty, Mo./Liberty). Jaclyn Spirtos' (Medina, Ohio/Highland) ground out scored pinch runner Jaci Brindus (Canton, Ohio/GlenOak) from third.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Vermont came back to tie things in the top of the third, tagging UA pitcher Sara Tervo (Manchester, Mich,/Clinton) for two hits and taking advantage of a Zips error.

Boyes gave Akron the win in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-run home run, her first of the season. Moody reached on a one-out bunt single, and Boyes' two-out shot proved to be the difference in the game. The Zips tallied six hits, with Moody going 1-for-2 with a pair of runs scored.

Tervo picked up her first win of the season, pitching all seven innings and allowing eight hits and four earned runs while striking ot a career-high 10 batters.

In the day's opener vs. St. Francis, the Zips struck first with a run in the top of third thanks to three errors from the Red Flash. With two outs, Stratton reached on an error and came around to score from third on the third miscue of the inning. St. Francis answered back with a run in the bottom of the fifth.

Akron took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning. Freshman Jessica Davidson (Akron, Ohio/Ellet) led things off with a single down the left side and advanced to third on Lisa McLean's (Canton, Ohio/Perry) one-out fielder's choice. An error by SFU pitcher Jerrica Smith allowed both Davidson and McLean to score the go-ahead runs. St. Francis added one more run in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot from Kelly Slingwine.

Boyes went the distance for Akron in the circle, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight and walking one. The Zips out-hit the Red Flash, 7-4, and were aided by five St. Francis errors. First baseman Katrina Moffett (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) led the Zips, going 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Zips are back in action with a pair of games on Saturday, beginning with the host Mocs at 2:30 p.m. That game will be followed by a matchup with Eastern Kentucky at 4:45 p.m.