The University of Akron Athletics
Kent State Victory Spoils Senior Day
May 21 | Baseball
Akron scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth but an early Kent State lead was too great to overcome as the Golden Flashes hung on to defeat the Zips, 13-6 and spoil Senior Day at Lee Jackson Field.
Akron (21-33, 3-23 MAC) honored its six seniors in Kevin Haas, Kyle Hallett, Brian Kordal, Jake Plata, Nick Solitario and John Turk as well as junior graduate James Podgorney prior to first pitch, recognizing each of the young men's contributions to the program.
Kent State (33-22, 17-9 MAC) had its offense working overtime, pounding out 16 hits in comparison with Akron's nine to blast its way to victory and a 2-0 series lead.
Sophomore Alex Loftin (4-8) gave up eight runs on 11 hits to take today's loss while KSU starter Robert Sabo (5-4) earned the win in seven frames, surrendering just two runs (one earned) on four hits.
As it did yesterday, Akron scored first but would only enjoy a short lived lead. Haas-who paced the Zips with two hits today, reached on a Kent State error to get the Zips going. Drew Turocy singled to center, tying the UA single season hit mark with 94 on the year before Haas scored on a double play groundout to give Akron the initial 1-0 lead.
Akron's efforts were unraveled in the third as the Golden Flashes pushed four runs across to take a 4-1 lead. Kent State delivered a RBI single and three-run Anthony Gallas bomb to jump in front.
In the fourth, Turk was hit by a pitch with two outs to start an Akron rally which Brandon White followed with a base knock to right before Samuel Trecaso's RBI single deposited in right pulled the Zips within two, 4-2.
Kent State wasted little time recovering the run however, with a single tally atop the fifth. A leadoff double and RBI single were sandwiched around a pop up to extend the lead back to three, 5-2.
A four-run seventh inning began to put the game out of reach for the Zips as Gallas' second three home run and a run scored on a balk highlighted the KSU inning.
Kent would add two runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to take a 13-2 lead before the Zips attempted a comeback.
Facing reliever Brett Weibley in his second inning of work, Turk led off with a single and advanced to second on pinch hitter Jared Turocy's groundout. Pinch hitter Jason Corzine notched a one-out single for the Zips to put runners at the corners before two miscues on Kent's first baseman resulted in Sam Watkins reaching second base and two runs scoring. Haas' second single on the day followed and pushed Watkins over to third where he would score on Turocy's sacrifice fly RBI to left for Akron's fourth run of the frame. The rally would end there though as Weibley induced a fly out to end the game 13-6 in Kent State's favor.
Akron closes out the 2010 campaign against Kent State tomorrow at 1 p.m. Fox Sports 1350 AM and the Akron ISP Network will cover the game with Bill Morgan's call. Live stats will be also be available on www.GoZips.com.
