The University of Akron Athletics
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Akron Loses MAC Opener to WMU
March 25 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron baseball team fell to visiting Western Michigan, 9-0, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams at Canal Park Friday afternoon.
Drew Turocy led the Zips (4-15, 0-1) with two singles and a double. Andrew Brown received the loss on the mound, allowing six runs over six innings. Brian Stroud pitched a complete game shutout for WMU (11-11, 1-0).
The Broncos opened the scoring in the second when Brooks Beilke and Jimmy Martinez each had RBI singles. WMU put three on the board in the third with a pair of walks costing Brown. Grant Simotes and Jack Scanlon each drew free passes and then scored. Simotes came across on a single by Troy Forton and Scanlon and Forton both scored when Beilke's one-hopper to third was deflected into foul territory by a diving Jason Corzine.
Western Michigan would add a single run in the sixth and then score three more in the seventh off reliever Kevin Kumazec. Ryan McMillan led off the seventh with a solo home run to right. Beilke then drove in Forton with a single to right and Brad Wehrmeyer produced a sacrifice fly to drive in Troy Duncan. Wehrmeyer's drive to center was hauled in by Turocy as the junior outfielder made a running over the shoulder catch to rob the Bronco of extra bases.
The Zips had runners in scoring position in the second, sixth, eighth, and ninth but were unable to push a run across. Akron stranded seven runners in the contest.
Akron and Western Michigan continue the series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at Canal Park.
