The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Baseball Shutout at UNCA, 5-0
February 29 | Baseball
On a cold and windy day, offense was not at a premium for
neither the Akron nor UNC Asheville baseball teams. However, the
home-standing Bulldogs got two timely hits to hand the Zips a 5-0
setback Friday afternoon at Greenwood Field.
Asheville (3-3), who only had eight hits, got a two-run home run
and a two-run single to secure the victory. The Zips (2-3) managed
just three hits and could not capitalize on a no-out, bases loaded
situation in the ninth, hitting into their third double play of the
game.
The Bulldogs took advantage of an Akron error to take a 1-0 lead in
the first. Leadoff hitter Kevin Weidenbacher started the home half
with a single to center and moved to third on a pair of groundouts.
Frank Turocy looked to end the inning unscathed
on a chopper back to the mound. However, an error at first allowed
Weidenbacher to score from third on the play.
UNCA added to its lead in the third, scoring twice. Weidenbacher
had a one-out hit and scored one batter later when Kevin Mattison
hit a two-run home run over the center field fence.
The ‘Dogs had their chances to blow the game open in the
fifth, loading the bases with no outs and the middle of the batting
order due up. But Turocy got a fielder's choice ground out and a
double play to keep the score at 3-0 in UNCA's favor.
In the bottom of the eighth, UNCA tacked on two insurance runs.
With one out, UNCA loaded the bases for Catlin Carter, who sealed
the outcome with a two-run single through the left side of the
infield.
Those runs proved key as the Zips opened the ninth with a single by
Kevin Haas, who had two of UA's three hits on the
day, and back-to-back walks to Kurt
Davidson and Doug McNulty to load the bases. Bulldog third
baseman/closer Justin Schumer rebounded to record a strikeout and a
double play to end the contest.
UNCA starter Alan DeRatt (2-0), who pitched seven innings of no-hit
baseball in his debut the previous weekend, once again threw seven
scoreless innings Friday. He allowed two hits and four walks with
three strikeouts. Turocy (1-1) had his second consecutive solid
outing as the Zips' starter, but suffered the loss. The junior
allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) over six complete with
two walks and three strikeouts. Zips' reliever Danny
Fawcett worked the seventh with a walk and a strikeout. Jared
Patterson closed out the game, allowing two hits, two runs and
two walks with two strikeouts in an inning's work.
Akron and UNC Asheville will play game two of the three-game set on
Saturday with first pitch once again set for 2 pm.
