The University of Akron Athletics
Baseball Opens MAC Schedule at Western Michigan
March 25 | Baseball
Games #20-23
March 26-28, 2010
Akron Zips (11-8) at
Western Michigan (3-15)
Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field • Kalamazoo, Mich.
AKRON, Ohio - The Zips travel to Kalamazoo, Mich. this weekend to open Mid-American Conference play at Western Michigan this weekend. The three-game set is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 26 with a 3 p.m. matchup while 1 p.m. games on Saturday (March 27) and Sunday (March 28) will follow.
Zips Recap
The Zips are off to a great start in 2010 campaign, entering this weekend series with an 11-8 mark overall. The Zips have won eight of their last 10 games and also registered a seven-game win streak in that timespan. Akron opened play at home, hosting Duquesne at Lee Jackson Field Wednesday, and defeated the Dukes, 7-4. The UA victory was highlighted by sophomore Sam Watkins' performance, which included a pair of solo home runs.
Akron's Spring Break trip at the RussMatt Invitational last week was extremely eventful as the Zips ended the week with a 5-2 record. Sophomore Drew Turocy led the squad with a .472 clip, on 17 hits while driving in nine RBIs. Senior Jake Plata did a fair share of work, notching 11 hits, including five homers while driving in a team-high 15 RBIs. On the mound, Akron got strong starts from sophomores Alex Loftin and Scott Foster. Loftin finished the week 1-1, surrendering just four earned runs in 15 innings pitched while tallying 13 strikeouts.
A pair of Zips received MAC and National Player of the Week accolades following the weekend with Foster earning the MAC East Pitcher of the Week award following a quality start for the Zips in Florida against Eastern Illinois throwing his first career complete game victory. Foster was instrumental in Akron's 6-1 win over the Panthers, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out three EIU batters. Foster retired the first nine batters he faced and proceeded to hold the opposition to a .100 batting average in the contest.
Plata's performance at the plate earned him the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week accolade. Plata was a dominant force in the UA lineup throughout Akron's spring break trip at the RussMatt Invitational which saw the Zips finish 5-2. The senior hit five home runs, including his first career grand slam, while driving in a team-high 15 runs during the week. He also scored 10 runs as he went 11-for-32 at the plate, leading the Zips with a .844 slugging percentage.
Scouting Western Michigan
Western Michigan enters the series with a 3-15 mark overall. The Broncos are fresh off a 14-2 victory over NAIA Concordia (Mich.). The Broncos return five starters from last season and a total of 16 letterwinners.
In 2010, the Broncos are hitting .264 as a squad with 164 hits on the year and 89 RBIs. Catcher Chris Lewis (.352, 25 hits, 14 RBI), infielder Ryan McMillin (.339, 20 Hits, 12 RBI) and outfielder Jamie Simpson (.219, 14 hits, 14 RBI) pace the squad offensively on the year. Western Michigan's pitching staff boasts a 9.00 ERA after surrendering 224 hits and 151 earned runs in 151.0 innings pitched. Starters Casey Hall (1-2) and Billy Morrison (1-1) each have wins on the year for the Broncos staff. Casey Webber and Eric Heckaman are slated to start against the Zips along with Morrison this weekend.
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 this weekend for SATURDAY and SUNDAY'S games with Bill Morgan's call.
