The University of Akron Athletics
Illini Claim Series Opener; Edge Zips, 10-1
March 13 | Baseball
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.
– Despite registering nine hits on the day, Akron
(2-12) fell in game one of four against no. 21 Illinois (8-2). With
a tied ballgame through four and a half innings, the Fighting
Illini posted two runs in the bottom portion of the fourth to claim
a lead they would not relinquish in the team's home opener at
Illinois Field. Illinois added three runs in the bottom half of the
fifth and sixth innings before adding one more in the home half of
the eighth to account for the final, 10-1. With the loss, senior Frank
Turocy falls to 0-3 this season while Illinois southpaw Phil
Haig improves to 3-0.
The Zips registered nine hits compared to U of I's 12, in today's contest but were plagued by four costly errors which Illinois capitalized on, scoring three unearned runs. Offensively, sophomore Brandon White led the UA lineup with a 3-for-4 day, knocking the lone RBI for the Zips. Juniors Jake Plata and Brian Kordal aided Akron's efforts as each registered two hits in four at-bats apiece.
Illinois got things underway early, scoring in the home half of the first inning. Designated hitter Casey McMurray singled to left center, driving in Joe Bonadonna who led off the inning with a walk. The next at-bat saw McMurray retired at second as Brandon Wikoff reached on a fielder's choice before advancing on a failed pick off attempt by Turocy. Despite a seemingly rocky start, Turocy settled down, getting the next two batters to fly and ground out, ending the inning and Illinois threat.
Akron attempted a response in the top half of the second as Plata led off with a double down the right field line and designated hitter Kyle Hallett reached on a fielder's choice before White knocked a base hit to left center. However back-to-back strikeouts from Haig silenced the Akron offense.
The Zips got on board with a run atop the fourth as Plata led off with a single to right. Following a sacrifice bunt by Hallett, Plata moved to third on a wild pitch issued by Haig before being driven in on a White single to right, tying the game, 1-1. With one gone, White recorded the second out of the inning as the leftfielder was caught stealing second base. Despite a Kordal single to right, the first baseman would be thrown out on a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Illinois responded quickly in the home half of the fourth, extending the lead, 3-1. The Illini would score six runs on five hits and one error in the next two frames to take a 9-1 advantage through six complete.
In the top half of the seventh, Akron almost took advantage of an Illinois pitching change as John Anderson took the mound in relief of Haig but failed to capitalize. With one down, Kevin Haas drew a walk and John Turk put runners on first and second after being hit by a pitch. Anderson would eventually calm down, getting the next two batters to ground out and fly out to end the inning.
Danny Fawcett came on in relief of Scott Foster in the bottom half of the seventh and held the Illini scoreless. Fawcett surrendered three hits and one earned run in 2.0 innings of work while fanning two batters while Foster allowed one hit and none earned in an inning pitched. Turocy who suffered the loss, surrendered eight hits and six earned runs while striking out one.
Akron returns to action tomorrow taking on Illinois in a double header set to start at 12:05 pm CST. Live stats will be available at www.GoZips.com with recaps and statistics available at the conclusion of game two.
