The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Fall 13-9; Haas Becomes All-Time Career Hit Leader
May 07 | Baseball
Bowling Green rallied for five runs in the eighth inning to erase Akron's lead and overshadow a career day for Kevin Haas as Akron fell 13-9 at Warren E. Steller Field.
Haas finished 2-for-4 and became the UA all-time career hit leader today with 267 hits to move ahead of Steve Sada (266). Mid-American Conference hit leader Drew Turocy fueled the Akron offense on a 4-for-5 day and finished a triple shy of the cycle as he clubbed a pair of singles, a double and home run while driving in a team-high four RBI.
Akron led 9-8 heading into the home half of the eighth but a three-run homer and two-RBI double accounted for five unanswered runs--only two of them earned, and helped put the Falcons in front for good.
The Zips drop to 20-26 overall and 3-16 in MAC play while Bowling Green's record improves to 22-19-1 and 12-7 in the conference with its win. Nick Bruns (3-1) earned the win in four innings of impressive relief work while Benjamin Danziger (5-8) suffered the tough luck loss also tossing two innings of relief.
Akron wasted a golden opportunity in the first after it loaded the bases with no outs but could not push a run across. Facing a similar situation in the home half, starter Andrew Brown worked out of a two-out bases loaded jam but BG would work its way onto the scoreboard two innings later, to take an early 1-0 lead.
The Zips came roaring out in the fourth, plating six runs-five of which Akron drove in with two outs. Samuel Trecaso's one out RBI double scored John Turk who led off the frame with a base knock. Ivory Alexander launched a two-out RBI single to left center which Haas followed up with a single through the right side to put a pair on for Turocy. The sophomore stepped to the plate and delivered a RBI double to right field, moving a pair of runners into scoring position. Senior Jake Plata then wasted little time depositing his first offering over the wall in right for his team-leading, 11th home run-a three-run shot to put Akron in front, 6-1.
Bowling Green crept back into the contest, scoring three runs-two unearned due to a costly throwing error, in the fourth before adding another on a sacrifice fly RBI in the fifth to make it a much closer affair with Akron still ahead, 6-5.
Sensing the urgency for run production, Akron keyed in atop the sixth as Alexander notched a lead off single which Haas followed up with his historic base knock-his 267 career hit to become Akron's all-time career hit leader. With two on Turocy crushed a three-run homer-his sixth on the season, to push the lead back to four runs in Akron's favor(9-5). Bruns took over pitching duties for the Falcons and ended Akron's rally shortly thereafter as a walk preceded a double play ball and groundout.
The Falcons scored in the fourth consecutive frame, pushing three runs across. Back-to-back doubles followed by a two-RBI double brought the home club within two and ended Brown's day as Danziger took over and quickly retired a pair of batters. A RBI single plated another BG run and made it a one-run 9-8 affair in Akron's favor.
Deuces were wild today as five starters finished with two hits, including Alexander, Haas, Plata, Trecaso and Turk.
Akron returns to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. The game will be featured on Fox Sports 1350 AM in addition to the Akron ISP Network broadcast while live stats can be found on www.GoZips.com.
