The University of Akron Athletics
Blue Mounts Comeback, Takes 2-0 Advantage in Series
October 06 | Baseball
The Gold squad jumped out to an early 1-0 lead but could not hang on as the Blue team rattled off a four-run fourth inning, to take game two of the Fall World Series, 5-1 at Lee Jackson Field this afternoon. The win improves Blue to 2-0 in the best-of-five series.
Sophomore Andrew Brown was solid for the Blue squad, earning today's win. In six innings of work Brown surrendered just one earned run on five hits and struck out two.
Sophomore Alex Loftin was saddled with today's loss for the Gold. In five complete innings, Loftin allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits while tallying five strikeouts.
After a scoreless first, Gold struck, plating a run atop the second inning to claim the early, 1-0 advantage. Freshman Tyler Begun doubled to the gap in left center, plating junior Brandon White who singled then moved to second on a passed ball for the lone score of the frame.
Blue retaliated in the home half of the fourth with four runs to take the 4-1 lead. Junior Jake Plata led off the inning with a walk then moved to second on a passed ball. Plata scored on the ensuing play as freshman Bryan White doubled to the gap in left center to tie the game at 1-1. With one away and two on, freshman Jared Turocy singled through the right side to plate White as the Blue team moved ahead, 2-1. A throwing error by Loftin enabled redshirt freshman Ivory Alexander to reach on a fielder's choice while freshman James Sheltrown scored, advancing Turocy to third as the Blue squad claimed a 3-1 advantage. The scoring was capped off by a sacrifice-fly RBI courtesy of senior Kevin Haas who drove a ball deep to the wall in center, allowing Turocy to trot home with Blue safely ahead, 4-1.
The Blue team added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. With redshirt junior reliever Kevin Kumazec on the mound, sophomore transfer Sam Watkins delivered a key two-out RBI-single to plate freshman pinch hitter Matt Denke, accounting for today's final, 5-1.
Redshirt sophomore Danny Fawcett closed out the top of the seventh, holding the Gold squad hitless, he picked up a pair of strikeouts.
Steaks and hot dogs are on the line Thursday, Oct. 8 when the best-of-five Fall World Series resumes at Lee Jackson Field (both teams will have Wednesday off), first pitch is slated for approximately 2:15 pm. It should be noted that the series is far from over as last year's Blue squad overcame a two-game deficit to take the series, 3-2. All are welcome and attendance is free!
