The University of Akron Athletics
Five-Run Seventh Lifts Falcons Past Zips, 14-9
May 14 | Baseball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Zips played the Mid-American Conference East Division leading Bowling Green close in the series opener this afternoon but could not overcome a five-run seventh inning, as the Falcons claimed the 14-9 advantage over Akron at Steller Field this afternoon.
The Zips fall to 18-32
overall and 11-14 in the MAC with the loss while today's win
improves Bowling Green to 27-19 overall and 17-7 in the
conference.
Freshman Andrew Brown (2-5) suffered the loss on the hill
this afternoon after allowing eight earned runs on 12 hits while
tossing a career-high-tying seven strikeouts in five innings of
work. Bowling Green reliever Charles Wooten (4-2) picked up the win
out of the bullpen in two innings and a third of work, allowing
three earned runs on four hits with six Ks today.
Senior Brett Savage led the UA lineup with a 3-for-5 day, including his 14th double on the year also driving in a team-high four RBIs this afternoon. Junior Brian Kordal was the lone Zip to homer this afternoon, tallying three RBI, with a walk and pair of runs scored.
The Zips struck first this afternoon with Savage coming in clutch with a key two out three-RBI bases clearing double in the top half of the first to give Akron the 3-0 lead. Junior Kevin Haas opened the frame with a one out base knock down the left field line as junior Jake Plata followed with a single into right field. Kordal drew a walk to load the bases before Savage doubled to right center to drive in three.
Bowling Green drew within one after a two-run two-out home run plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning, closing in on the 3-2 UA lead.
With one away, Plata, who ended the day, 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and three runs scored, drew his first walk of the day to put one on base for the Zips in the third. Kordal followed by launching his fifth homer, a two-run shot off the BG scoreboard, adding two runs for the 5-2 lead in Akron's favor.
BG manufactured four runs on five hits and a UA error to take a 6-5 lead in the home half of the third. The inning began with a single and was followed with a double, however the runner reached third following a UA throwing error as the first runner crossed home plate. A RBI-single provided the second run of the frame. A double followed by a two-RBI single would score the go ahead run for the Falcons before Brown struck out the next three batters to retire the side.
The Zips knotted things up at six runs apiece in the top of the fifth when junior catcher John Turk came up clutch with a big two-out RBI-single, driving in Plata who led off the frame with a walk. With one away, sophomore Brandon White managed his first base knock on the afternoon with a shot to left field. Turk's RBI-single to left followed before Bowling Green made the call to the bullpen with Wooten taking the mound in relief of starter Brennan Smith. Smith allowed six earned runs on eight hits and issued three walks in four innings and two thirds today also fanning three. Wooten would settle in immediately, retiring the side with a strikeout.
The Falcons battled right back in the bottom of the fifth, adding a pair of runs on four hits in the frame to take the 8-6 lead. A solo home run to left center opened the inning to put the home team ahead, 7-6. An impressive diving stop from Savage retired the next batter who flew out to right before Brown surrendered a single up the middle and then retired the next batter on strikes. A single through the left side put runners on first and second and a double to left allowed the runner to score before Brown picked up another strikeout to end the inning with Bowling Green ahead, 8-6.
In the top of the sixth, senior Phil Bednar reached on a throwing error by the shortstop to lead of the inning before senior Matt Roberts reached on a walk. With two on and no outs, a questionable strikeout call sent Haas back to the UA dugout. Wooton got the next batter to groundout and then went on to retire the side with another strikeout as Akron stranded a pair of runners for the second straight inning.
Senior Frank Turocy entered the game for the Zips in the bottom half of the sixth and retired the first two batters faced before an Akron error enabled the next batter to reach base. Nothing would come of the situation as a fielder's choice erased the runner at second and ended the Falcons' inning.
After holding Akron scoreless atop the seventh, the Falcons added five runs on five hits to bust the game open in the bottom of the seventh. A solo shot to left center put the Falcons ahead, 9-6 but Turocy battled back, quickly picking up a pair of groundouts. With two gone, a two-RBI single, RBI-double and RBI-single provided the final four runs of the frame, giving Bowling Green the 13-6 advantage.
Akron retaliated to narrow the gap in the eighth, plating three runs to cut the deficit to 13-9. Junior pinch hitter Kyle Hallett, who is now 3-for-3 in his past three pinch hitting plate appearances, tripled to right to lead off in the eighth. Roberts followed with a RBI-single to left center, scoring Hallett for the first UA run of the inning. Haas' second base hit of the game came next as the junior drove a single through the left side. Plata would smash a single to left center, loading the bases for Akron and inducing the final BG pitching change of the game with Kacy Dwornik taking the hill for the Falcons. Kordal would reach on a RBI-fielder's choice as Plata was thrown out at second and Haas moved to third to keep runners at the corners for Akron with one away. After a UA strikeout, Savage singled to left for the final UA run of the frame before a pop up ended the Akron half inning with BG still ahead, 13-9.
Redshirt sophomore Todd Fleming took the mound for UA in the bottom of the eighth, closing the books on Turocy who allowed five earned on five hits in two innings while registering a strikeout. Fleming struck out the first batter he faced before walking the next and allowing a double to put both runners in scoring position. A double to center field would account for the final BG run of the game, putting the Falcons ahead, 14-9. Fleming allowed just the one earned run on a pair of hits while striking out one in an inning of work in the frame.
The playing conditions at Steller Field have been reputably kind to the long ball as indicated by the Falcons' season. Today, with winds gusting out to straightaway center at 16 miles per hour Akron went yard once while the home squad ripped three dingers in this afternoon's contest. An all-out slugfest, BG out-hit the Zips 19-13 while the Zips registered a pair of errors to BG's one mishap as the teams combined for 23 runs on the afternoon.
The Zips and Falcons return to action tomorrow, Friday, May 15 with first pitch slated for 1 pm at Steller Field. The game will be broadcast on Sports Radio 1350 AM with live stats available online at www.GoZips.com.
