The University of Akron Athletics
Softball Grabs 5-2 Victory Over Central Michigan
April 03 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – Despite a two-hour and 35
minute rain delay the University of Akron softball team (19-13, 2-3
MAC) picked up a 5-2 victory and head coach Julie Jones' grabbed
her 300th career win Friday afternoon against the Central Michigan
Chippewa's at Lee R. Jackson Field.
Freshman Andrea Arney (9-8) was in the circle for Akron
and gave up just one earned run on five hits while striking out
three. The victory was her first conference win thus far and lowers
her season earned run average to 2.00. Entering play Friday, Arney
boasted the fifth lowest ERA in the Mid-American Conference
(2.09).
The Zips struck first in the contest after senior Lisa
McLean (Canton, Ohio/Perry) led off the first inning with a
infield hit to the third baseman. After stealing second, her 27th
stolen base the year, McLean scored when senior Julie
Boyes (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake) hit a line drive to right center
field. Senior Jaci Brindus (Canton, Ohio/Glenoak) came in as a
pinch runner for Boyes and a throwing error by the CMU third
baseman allowed senior Cali Stratton (Liberty, Mo./Liberty) to
reach second advancing Brindus to third. Brindus would score after
sophomore Alex Feltes (Rocky River, Ohio/Magnificat) hit a
sacrifice fly to right field giving UA the 2-0 advantage.
Central Michigan scored its first run in the top of the second
inning after a walk put a runner at first. A passed ball advanced
her to third and she was driven home off a long single to right
center (2-1). Akron would rebound adding another in their half of
the inning after a dropped strike allowed freshman Felicia
Houtz (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) to reach first base. A
sacrifice bunt by fellow freshman Crystal
Hernandez (Sylmar, Calif./Sylmar) advanced her fairly to second
but a throwing error into left center field by the CMU first
baseman brought her home (3-1).
A lead off single in the top of the Central Michigan fourth got the
action started for the Chippewa's as a sacrifice bunt and double
scored the runner putting CMU back within one, however, with one
out that was their last run of the day as two fly outs to Stratton
in right field limited CMU to one run (3-2).
Akron would score its last two runs of the game in the bottom of
the fourth starting when Hernandez singled. With freshman Alex
Helfrich (Grafton, Ohio/Magnificat) coming in to pinch run she
quickly stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. With a
runner at third, sophomore Sarah
Earley (Venetia, Penn./Peters Township) drew a walk and stole
second. A double from McLean scored Helfrich, her seventh run of
the season as a pinch runner, to put UA up 4-2. The Zips scored
their final run when pinch hitter, freshman Allison
Dorr (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro), reached first on a
fielder's choice that got McLean out but scored Earley (5-2).
On the day McLean went 4-for-4 with one run, one RBI and one stolen
base.
The Zips will resume their home conference schedule Saturday
when they welcome the Eastern Michigan Eagles to Lee R. Jackson
Field. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. Live scoring will be
available here.
