The University of Akron Athletics
Softball Picks Up Split Against Bowling Green
April 30 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio - Junior Alex Riedeman picked up her third shutout Friday afternoon in Akron's 2-0 win over Bowling Green to open the day before UA fell 9-7 in the second contest at Lee R. Jackson Field.
In the victory, Riedeman gave up five hits striking out five in her sixth complete game of the season.
In the third inning, Akron got its first hit of the day which came from junior Alex Feltes who pounded out a double. Freshman Alissa Birkhimer would drive her in with a hard hit single to center field to put the Zips up 1-0.
Akron's second run came when junior Heather Bauer led off the Zips fifth with a line drive to right center field. Bauer would steal her way home taking all three bases to cross the plate. Once on third, Birkhimer would reach after she was hit by a pitch and with pinch runner freshman Mary Hyland coming in to run, a double steal would allow Bauer to score for the 2-0 lead which was all the Zips would need for the victory.
The second game was a much different affair with Bowling Green coming out strong offensively scoring four runs off four hits in the first inning (0-4).
Slowly taking runs back, Akron put two on the board in the second inning. With no outs on the board, Akron placed runners at first and second with both advancing into scoring position off a sacrifice bunt from freshman Cassie Gleisner. Junior Sarah Stromack would drive in the first Zips run with a hit down the left field line (1-4) to score Feltes and sophomore Crystal Hernandez would load the bases when she reached on an error. Junior Sarah Earley drove in the Zips second run when she drew a four pitch walk (2-4).
In the third, Hansen put run three on the board with her fourth home run of the season (3-6) and in the fourth Hernandez scored run four for UA beginning when she reached second off a double coming home when Earley tripled to left center (4-6). Helfrich would reach on a base hit and another Zips double steal would score Earley from third to bring UA within one (5-6).
In the sixth, Akron added its final two beginning when Earley reached on a base hit followed by a steal of second. Sophomore Alex Helfrich would drive her home (6-8) on a base hit which allowed her to go to second off a BG throwing error. Runners reached the corners when Helfrich stole third and Bauer drew her third walk of the game. Hansen would drive in Helfrich from third to put UA within one (7-8) but to no avail as Bowling Green picked up its ninth run in the top of the seventh and held the Zips scoreless in their portion of the inning.
On the day Akron had 12 stolen bases and were led on the bags by Bauer who grabbed five.
Taking into account predicted weather in the forecast for Sunday, Akron will play Toledo in a doubleheader on Saturday set to start at 2:00 p.m. The day will mark the conclusion of UA's home schedule as well as senior day and Strikeout Cancer Day.
