The University of Akron Athletics
Big Ninth-Inning Propels Zips to 9-2 Win Over YSU
May 18 | Baseball
NILES, Ohio - The University of Akron baseball team scored six runs in the top of the ninth-inning to break open a close game and take a 9-2 victory over Youngstown State on Wednesday afternoon at Eastwood Field. The game was eventually called prior to completion in the bottom of the ninth when rain and lightning moved into the area.
Akron (15-35) belted out 14 hits in the contest - including six in the final inning - and had six players record multiple base knocks. Sam Watkins and Kurt Gamby keyed the big final frame, as both sent home runs over the left field fence. Watkins blast - a three-run shot - was his third home run in four games, while Gamby's solo home run two batters later was his second in four contests.
Freshman Jon Pusateri picked up the win on the mound after allowing two runs in 5.0 innings of work. Senior relievers Bobby Simone and Kevin Kumazec each produced shutout relief efforts with Kumazec recording the first save of his career after pitching a shutout eighth inning.
Akron got on the board in the top of the first when Matt Corpora doubled down the right field line with one away. Corpora moved to third on a Watkins single and scored when YSU starter Blake Aquadro's pick-off attempt to first sailed wide and skipped away from first baseman Jeremy Banks.
The Penguins (12-36) tied the game in the fourth by taking advantage of a walk and a hit batter to load the bases with one out. After a failed squeeze attempt, Pusateri issued a bases loaded walk to make the score 1-1.
The club's would then trade runs in the fifth. Corpora drove in Dan Burant with a sacrifice fly in the top of the frame, before Bank's RBI double to right center tied the game at 2-2.
James Sheltrown then singled in Gamby in the top of the sixth to give the Zips the lead once again.
Sheltrown started the big Akron ninth when he smoked a lead-off double off the wall in left center. Jared Turocy then reached on an infield single that advanced Sheltrown to third. After a wild pitch scored Sheltrown, Tyler Begun singled in Turocy and Corpora singled to place a pair on base for Watkins. The junior second baseman fouled off consecutive pitches and then launched a drive into the Akron bullpen in left field for his fifth home run of the season. Two batters later Gamby completed the rally by sending the first pitch he saw into the trees beyond the left field fence for his third longball of the season.
The Zips will take on rival Kent State in their final series of the 2011 season beginning with tomorrow's game at 6:35 p.m. at Canal Park. The game is the 5th annual Diamond Classic for the Kids. The series continues Friday at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at KSU.
