The University of Akron Athletics
Baseball Set to Start 2010 Campaign against Minnesota
February 18 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio - The Zips embark on a trip south this week, venturing to Fort Myers, Fla. to face the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Akron and Minnesota will meet for the first time in program history. The three-game set will open with a 3:05 pm game on Friday (Feb. 19), followed by games on Saturday (Feb. 20) at 2:05 pm and Sunday (Feb. 21) at 1:05 pm. All games will be played at Hammond Stadium. The facility opened in 1991 and has served as the spring training home to the Minnesota Twins since 1990.
Akron vs. Minnesota Preview
Games #1-3
February 19-21, 2010
Akron Zips (0-0) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (0-0)
Hammond Stadium • Fort Myers, Fla.
Zips Recap
The UA baseball squad compiled a 19-33 record in 2009, finishing
fifth in the Mid-American Conference East division with a 12-15
record, giving the Zips their most conference wins since 2003.
Akron has continually upgraded its competition under skipper Pat
Bangtson, competing against several tough out-of-conference
opponents and also faced three top-25 teams last season, including
no. 25 Michigan, no. 21 Illinois and no. 26 Kent State. The Zips
defeated the then-ranked no. 26 Golden Flashes three times last
season, picking up the 12-5 victory in the third annual Diamond
Classic for Kids held at Canal Park before claiming the MAC series
at Kent with a pair of wins.
Akron played opposition extremely close last season, dropping nine one-run games on the season-two of which were extra-inning heartbreakers. Akron went 1-2 in extra-inning affairs as the Zips defeated Kent State 8-4 in an 11-inning affair but also suffered a grueling 18-inning 5-4 setback against North Carolina State at last year's Palm Beach Challenge. Additionally, Akron lost a 9-8 11-inning contest at Ohio University.
Senior Kevin Haas and then-senior Phil Bednar were both named to the second team CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV. The duo was also named to the Academic All-MAC team along with junior Benjamin Danziger upon conclusion of the season. Additional honors bestowed upon the Zips included three MAC Pitcher of the Week awards. Sophomore Alex Loftin was a two-time recipient while Danziger received the distinction once last season.
Akron's Mid-American Conference Tournament run came down to the very final game of the year last season with the Zips suffering a tough road loss to Bowling Green to close out the season, missing the final cut to Chillicothe, Ohio.
The Zips finished with a 12-15 mark in conference play with five losses decided by one run, including a 9-8 13-inning setback at Ohio. Akron swept Northern Illinois and claimed 2-1 series victories over Buffalo and then-no. 26 Kent State.
The Zips return 22 letterwinners including six returning position players and three starting pitchers. Akron welcomes nine newcomers to the squad and will look to its class of six seniors for leadership and guidance in the 2010 season.
With a young and healthy pitching staff which ranked second in Mid-American Conference competition in ERA, and third in opposing batting average returns to make a positive impact on a group of three new Zips' hurlers. With all the pieces in place, the Zips are poised to make significant strides in the conference and gain entrance to the MAC Tournament.
Scouting Minnesota
The Golden Gophers finished the 2009 campaign with a 40-19 record
overall and 17-6 mark in the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota finished
as the Big Ten Conference Championship runner-up, gaining entrance
to the NCAA tournament. The Gophers posted a 2-2 record in the
Baton Rouge Regional after registering wins over Southern
University (11-8) and Baylor University (15-12) as well as losses
against LSU (10-3) and Baylor (5-0).
Minnesota returns 20 letterwinners, 10 pitchers and six starters
five of whom were recognized as All-Big Ten Honorees. As a squad,
the Golden Gophers batted .314 on the year with 667 hits, including
55 home runs and 403 RBIs. Second-team All-Big Ten honoree and
second baseman AJ Pettersen (.353, 79 Hits, 45
RBI) and third-team All-Big Ten selection Mike
Kvasnicka (.341, 85 Hits, 65 RBI) will be offensive
threats to watch for this weekend.
On the mound Minnesota's staff compiled a 4.85 ERA in 523 innings
of work. The staff surrendered 576 hits, 282 runs and issued 192
walks while holding opposing batters to a .285 average. Reliever
Scott Matyas (2.22 ERA, 15 Saves, 45 Ks) and
starting pitcher Seth Rosin (4.21 ERA, 7-1, 65 Ks)
were both named to the second team All-Big Ten squad last season
and return to assist the staff in 2010.
Tuning In...
Gozips.com is your one stop shop for following Akron Baseball all
season long! Live statistics for each game will be available online
with radio broadcasts also airing once the Zips return to Lee
Jackson Field for the home opener. A web broadcast courtesy of
Minnesota Athletics will be available for this weekend's games and
can be found on the Golden Gophers website at www.gophersports.com.
