The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Colorado St.
Softball Edged by Colorado State at Capital Classic, 3-2
March 18 | Softball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The University of Akron softball team could not overcome a late push by Colorado State and fell 3-2 to the Rams on Sunday in the final day of competition at the Capital Classic, being hosted by Sacramento State.
Akron (11-11) held to a 1-0 lead after the top of the second, until Colorado State (12-16) found home plate twice in the bottom of the fifth. The Zips evened the score in the top of the next frame, but the Rams scored the eventual gamewinner during their next time at bat, and held UA in the seventh.
Katie Gross and Rachael Ratcliffe led Akron with two hits apiece, accounting for four of the Zips' six hits for the day. Brittany Maurer dropped her record in the circle to 10-9, getting three strikeouts, one walk and allowing nine hits in 6.0 innings.
UA's first run of the day came in the top of the second when Keelia Nester grounded out to the short stop, but brought in Amanda Ricker who was on base to pinch run for Ratcliffe. Ricker had stole second and advanced to third after Allison Dorr bunted on.
The Zips controlled the 1-0 edge until with two outs in the bottom of the fifth CSU's Alysa Greckel singled to center to bring in Shae Rodriguez from third and move Emily Pohl from second base. The next batter, Danielle Wikre, singled up the middle and a throwing error aided Pohl in finding home to give the Rams a 2-1 advantage.
In the top of the next inning with two runners on base and no outs, Kellie Roudabush grounded out to second, but Ratcliffe was able to score from third and make the tally 2-all. The next two UA batters struck out.
In the bottom of that inning, CSU's Lyssa Roberts provided the go-ahead run when she scored from third on an Ashlie Ortega ground out to second. Roberts led off the inning for the Rams and reached on a throwing error. Haley David bunted on to advance Roberts to third.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Maurer singled to left field but both Gross and Alissa Birkhimer grounded out to end the game.
Akron was also scheduled to face off against Saramento State today, but a late change brought on by Friday's rain out of games for other teams canceled the meeting between the Zips and the Hornets. UA returns to the field on March 25 for a doubleheader at Dayton at 2 p.m. ET.
