The University of Akron Athletics
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Akron Softball Drops Season Opener 11-10 to Northern Colorado
February 10 | Softball
HAMMOND, La. – A three-run seventh inning was the difference as the Akron Zips dropped their season opener 11-10 to Northern Colorado on Friday as part of the Southeast Louisiana Lion Classic.
Akron, leading 10-8 after the top of the sixth, allowed three runs in the bottom of the seventh to drop its first game of the tournament. Heavy rain in the area caused several delays, including the postponement of Akron's second game of the day against tournament-host Southeastern Louisiana.
Alissa Birkhimer led the way for the Zips (0-1), going 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. Alex Helfrich went 1-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored while Katie Gross added two RBI and a run scored in five plate appearances.
Brittany Maurer (0-1) was credited for the loss, allowing 11 runs on 13 hits in 6.2 innings.
UNC (2-0) took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of a three-run homer by the Bears' Lindsey Smith. The Zips would answer in the top of the second, posting five runs in the inning (5-3).
With the bases loaded and one out, Helfrich hit into a fielder's choice to score the first run of the inning. Gross, Maurer and Birkhimer would follow with RBI singles, including two on Birkheimer's single, before the ending of the frame.
Akron would add to its lead (8-3) in the top of the third with three more runs, including an RBI single by Cassie Gleisner with one out and Helfrich's second RBI single of the game. The inning would close with Gross' fielder's choice to score Helfrich.
An unearned run in the top of the fourth game Akron a 9-3 advantage before Northern Colorado scored four in the fourth and one in the fifth to cut the lead to 9-8.
Allison Dorr gave Akron some breathing room in the top of the sixth inning with and RBI fielder's choice as Akron would lead 10-8. However, Northern Colorado would score three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.
The Zips will return to action tomorrow with two games, facing tournament-host Southeastern Louisiana (11 a.m. ET) and Southern University (4 p.m. ET).
