The University of Akron Athletics
Spring Break Trip Ahead for Akron Baseball
March 10 | Baseball
Akron vs. Xavier
March 11, 2011 - 9:30 a.m.
Akron vs. Michigan State
March 12, 2011 - 4:30 p.m.
Akron vs. Indiana
March 13, 2011 - 5:00 p.m.
Akron vs. Butler
March 14, 2011 - 3:00 p.m.
Akron vs. North Dakota State
March 16, 2011 - 11:00 a.m.
Akron vs. Dartmouth
March 17, 2011 - 2:00 p.m.
Akron vs. Bradley
March 18, 2011 - 10:00 a.m.
Akron vs. Chicago State
March 19, 2011 - 10:30 a.m.
Live Stats: Available at GoZips.com
when internet at game sites is available. Live Stats will be free
of charge.
Spring Break Notes...
• Akron will head to the Sunshine State to participate in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Zips are scheduled to play eight games in nine days in and around Winter Haven, Fla. This is the second straight year Akron has participated in the Winter Haven based tournament and the fifth straight year the Zips have headed to Florida for spring break.
• The Zips have fared well in their recent spring trips, racking up a record of 18-8 in the last four seasons.
• Akron won the first five games of their 2010 trip, before dropping the final two contests. Included in the five wins were victories over 2011 opponents Dartmouth and North Dakota State.
• Akron leads the series against three of the eight scheduled Florida opponents - Dartmouth (2-0), North Dakota St. (1-0), and Xavier (11-8). Akron and Chicago St. have split six all-time meetings and UA and Butler have each beaten each other once. The Zips trail the all-time series with Bradley (0-1) and Indiana (1-5). Akron and Michigan State have never met.
The Schedule...
• The Zips first three games of the week (vs. XU, vs. MSU, vs. IU will be in Winter Haven at Chain of Lakes Park. Akron will then play a pair of games at Lakeland's Henley Field (vs. BU, vs. NDSU) before finishing action with games at Webber International in Babson Park (vs. DU), Chain of Lakes (vs. BU), and Auburndale's Lake Myrtle Park (vs. CSU).
Lockdown Loftin...
• Junior Alex Loftin thoroughly dominated on the mound against Army on 3/4 to pick up his first win of the year.
• Loftinallowed just one run over seven innings, limiting the Black Knights to just four hits. He struck out a season-high seven in the game.
• The Stow, Ohio native also stranded runners in scoring position on three occasions and struck out the side in the second.
Slamming Sammy Watkins...
• Junior Sam Watkins found his stroke at the plate during the two games in Forest City, N.C. last weekend.
• Watkins batted .500 (3-for-6), with home runs in both contests and five total RBIs. Watkins also scored four times and held an on base percentage of .700 (three walks & one hit by pitch).
• The Johnstown, Pa. product has hit safely in four straight contests.
Marvelous McVeigh...
• Freshman Myles McVeigh has dominated on the mound this season, most recently hurling 3.1 innings of scoreless relief in the 2.26 loss to Texas State. McVeigh allowed just one hit in the outing and struck out two.
• McViegh's projected start against Ohio State last weekend was a victim of heavy rains in the western North Carolina region.
• McVeigh started his Akron career out right, pitching 8.1 innings of one-hit ball - taking a no-decision in the 2/20 loss to Lamar.
• The Cheyenne, Wyo. held a no-hitter through 5.2 innings and struck out six in the Lamar contest and earned the InsidePitching.com Great Lakes Performance of the Week for his efforts.
• McVeigh has now pitched 11.2 innings in 2011 and allowed just two hits. Batters are hitting just .057 against the rookie this season.
Turocy Slugs Away...
• After having a 10-game hitting streak snapped on 2/25 at Texas State, junior centerfielder Drew Turocy has been on a tear.
• Turocy has batted .500 (9-of-18) over the last four games, scored four runs, drove in five, and recorded two doubles, two triples and two home runs. His slugging percentage during that span is 1.166.
• Last season,Turocy set single season records for hits (95), at-bats (265), and singles (69).
• The Canfield, Ohio native leads the Zips with a .371 batting average and a .714 slugging percentage.
Let's Go Streaking...
• Sophomore Samuel Trecaso holds the team's current longest hitting streak at five games after recording four hits in the series at Texas State and a hit in both games last weekend in Forest City.
• Drew Turocy had his 10-game hitting streak snapped in Friday's loss to Texas State, but has hit safely in the last four Akron games. Additionally, Turocy has reached safely in 15 straight games dating back to last season.
• Sam Watkins has also hit safely in the last four games.
Looking Ahead...
• Akron's 19-game road trip to begin the 2011 season will come to an end on Tuesday, March 22, with a match-up at Pittsburgh.
• It is the first of two meetings between the Zips and the Panthers this season.
• Akron will then begin Mid-American Conference play with a 3-game series with Western Michigan at Canal Park.
