The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Hosts Ohio Bobcats in MAC Match-Up
May 13 | Baseball
With two weeks left in the regular season, the Akron baseball team welcomes Ohio University for a three-game Mid-American Conference set this weekend, beginning Friday (May 14) through Sunday (May 16) at Lee Jackson Field. Friday's game is slated for a 3 p.m. start while Saturday and Sunday will each begin at 1 p.m. The entire series will be broadcast on the Akron ISP Network while Saturday's game will also be covered on Fox Sports 1350 AM. Live stats throughout the weekend will be available online at www.GoZips.com.
Zips Recap
Akron (20-28, 3-18 MAC) enters the game ranked 35 in the nation
with hits (555) and is batting .312 collectively, driving in 303
RBI. Sophomore Drew Turocy (.372, 86 hits,
53 RBI) leads the Zips in a number of offensive categories and is
sixth in the nation and first in the conference with 86 hits. As
well as his batting average, hits and runs scored tallies, Turocy
paces the squad in stolen bases (nine), multiple-hit (26) and
multiple-RBI (16) games. Seniors John Turk (.343, 60 hits, 22
RBI) and Kevin Haas (.333, 72 hits, 31
RBI) round out the top offensive threats for Akron while fellow
senior Jake Plata (.330, 65 hits, 54
RBI) represents the Zips' top slugger with a team-high 11 home runs
and 54 RBI.
Akron's pitching staff holds a 6.00 ERA and has given up 336 runs on 587 hits, holding opposing batters to a .320 average. UA will look for strong starts from sophomores Andrew Brown (4-4, 3.78 ERA, 55 Ks) and Alex Loftin (4-7, 4.54 ERA, 53 Ks) who rank first and second in strikeouts respectively.
Scouting Ohio
Ohio enters tied for third in the MAC East Division, boasting just
a 17-30 mark overall but a 10-11 record in MAC play. The Bobcats
are batting .301 as a team and have drivine in 315 runs on 510
hits. The team is led by junior outfielders Gauntle
Eldemire (.417, 68 hits, 52 RBI) and Robert Maddox
III (.384, 76 hits, 65 RBI). While Eldemire leads the
squad with 13 stolen bases in 18 attempts, he and Maddox III
account for nearly half of Ohio's home run production with 15 and
17 respective round-trippers. Senior infielder Jerod
Yakubik (.332, 67 hits, 35 RBI) will also be a Bobcat to
watch for as the team leader in doubles with 17.
The Bobcats hold a 6.66 ERA and have surrendered 358 runs on 547 hits. The 'Cats have struck out 287 but also walked 170 batters and have a .325 batting against average. Look for junior right handed pitcher Jason Moulton (2-3, 4.01 ERA, 39 Ks) to start against Akron on Friday. Freshman righty Seth Streich (2-4, 7.38 ERA, 26 Ks) is slated to go against the Zips on Saturday while Sunday's starter is yet to be determined.
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars! The fourth annual Diamond Classic For Kids
will take place next week on Thursday, May 20 at 6
p.m. in downtown Akron at Canal Park, home club of the
Akron Aeros. Tickets are priced at $5. The yearly event brings
conference rivals Akron and Kent State together for a notable cause
as the proceeds of the game are donated to the Akron Children's
Hospital. Akron holds a 2-1 series lead after thumping Kent State,
12-5 last season. This year's meeting will be a high stakes affair
as the game also serves as the Zips' and Flashes' series-opener.
The series will return to Lee Jackson Field for Senior
Day on Friday (May 21) at 3 pm and Saturday (May 22) at 1
pm for the series finale.
Follow MAC Baseball on Twitter!
Catch all the MAC baseball news, notes and team information leading
up to the 2010 MAC Tournament in Chillicothe. To follow along for
updates, quotes, scores, general information and more happenings
around the league visit www.twitter.com/2010MACBaseball.
