The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Toledo
Akron Softball Drops Doubleheader in MAC Opener
March 30 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – The Akron softball team opened Mid-American Conference play with 8-0 and 12-7 losses to the Toledo Rockets on Friday at Lee R. Jackson Softball Field.
Akron (11-16-1, 0-2 MAC) was led by Kellie Roudabush's 2-for-5 performance at the plate. She closed the day with two RBIs and a double. Alissa Birkhimer had a team-high four RBIs, going 1-for-4 with a home run.
Toledo (9-19, 2-0 MAC) scored 20 runs on the day, including 13 of those coming in the sixth inning or later.
Game one turned into a pitching duel through the first five innings, with neither team able to get on the scoreboard. Both pitchers combined to allow just three hits. Brittany Maurer (10-13) retired 12-straight after allowing a single to the second batter of the game.
The Rockets got on the scoreboard first, posting a walk to lead off the inning and strung together a pair of two-out hits in the top of the sixth to take a 2-0 lead.
Akron got its first hit of the game in the bottom of the sixth when Maurer pushed a two-out single through the left side. However, she would be stranded on first to end the inning.
Toledo broke the game open in the top of the seventh inning, posting six runs to take an 8-0 lead. The Rockets had eight-straight hits to open the inning, with six of those players crossing home plate.
Akron got on the board first in game two thanks to a sacrifice fly by Birkhimer to plate Maurer for the 1-0 lead after one inning.
The Rockets responded with seven runs in the top of the second inning to grab a 7-1 advantage. Akron committed three errors in the inning, including two throwing errors, leading to three of the seven runs being unearned.
UA answered with a run in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit to 7-2. Allison Dorr earned a walk to open the inning and was pinch run for by Iesha Mountain. Mountain stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Roudabush single.
Following a 30-minute delay due to lightning, Akron retired to end the second inning before sitting the Rockets down in order in the top of the third.
The Zips continued to chip away at the Toledo lead, scoring two in the bottom of the fourth to close within 7-4. Ratcliffe opened the inning with a single followed by a Dorr single. A Roudabush double would drive in Amanda Ricker, who pinch ran for Rachael Ratcliffe, while Dorr was thrown out at the plate. Roudabush advanced to third on the throw and would later score on a passed ball.
Akron had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth with runners on second and third with two outs, but was unable to push the runs across. Toledo came out in the top of the seventh to add to its lead with a three-run homer, a sacrifice fly and an Akron error to push its advantage to 12-4.
Birkhimer launched a three-run homer with two out in the bottom of the seventh but the Zips would eventually fall 12-7.
The Zips will continue MAC play on Saturday and Sunday when they play host to Bowling Green. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
