The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Fall 6-1 in Series Opener Against Bobcats
May 14 | Baseball
The Ohio Bobcats were the first to break up a tied affair this afternoon, plating six runs across the last three frames to defeat Akron, 6-1 at Lee Jackson Field in the Mid-American Conference series opener.
Ohio (18-30, 11-11 MAC) got an outstanding pitching performance from junior Jason Moulton (3-3) who went the distance. Pitching the first complete game for OU, he gave up an unearned run on four scattered hits while striking out seven to record the win.
Akron (20-29, 3-19 MAC) also got a solid start from Andrew Brown (4-5) who struck out a career-high eight batters in 8.1 innings pitched but did give up six runs on 10 hits in today's loss.
Offense was sparse for the Zips today who were held to their lowest hit tally (five) in 15 games by Moulton. Brandon White led Akron with a single and a RBI while four others finished with a base knock, including Kevin Haas, John Turk, Samuel Trecaso and Ivory Alexander.
Ohio broke up the pitchers' duel in the seventh inning, scoring four runs to take a lead they would never relinquish. A one-out RBI single got the 'Cats rolling before a three-run homer off the bat of right fielder Jerod Yakubik to take the 4-0 lead.
Akron struck back in the home half though when Jake Plata struck out but reached first on a wild pitch. Kyle Hallett would also reach base on a Bobcat error but was erased at second on the ensuing double play as Plata moved to third. White's RBI single up the middle and off the pitcher's shin enabled Plata to score from third (unearned).
The Bobcats added two more runs in the ninth on a two-out RBI single and delayed steal to account for today's final, 6-1.
Akron and Ohio tangle tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field. Bill Morgan and former Akron standout Brett Savage will have the coverage on Fox Sports 1350 AM as well as the Akron ISP Network.
