The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ohio
Akron Softball Drops Rain-Soaked Game 9-7 to Ohio
April 14 | Softball
ATHENS, Ohio – Battling heavy rains for most of the final four innings, the Akron softball team dropped a 9-7 decision to the Ohio Bobcats in game one of a two-game Mid-American Conference series on Saturday.
The Zips (13-23-1, 0-9 MAC) and the Bobcats (16-20, 5-4 MAC) were unable to beat the rain, but scored 15 of the game's 16 runs in the poor weather conditions.
Rachael Ratcliffe led the Akron offense at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one home run, three RBIs and one run scored. Taryn Allmon and Brittany Maurer each went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Allmon added two runs scored. Maurer (11-18) was credited for the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and striking out three in 4.0 innings pitched.
Ohio got on the scoreboard first, scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 lead. After that, neither team would plate a run until the Bobcats scored one in the bottom of the fourth for a 2-0 advantage. That's when things got interesting.
The Zips tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the fifth thanks to an RBI single by Allmon. Maurer would drive in Allmon two batters later with an RBI double.
Ohio broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring five runs on four hits to take a 7-2 lead. Ratcliffe's solo shot in the top of the sixth would make the deficit 7-3 before the Bobcats added two insurance runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 9-3 lead.
Akron would rally in their final three outs, but would come up short with four runs in the seventh. Allmon and Keelia Nester led off the inning with singles. After a Maurer sac-bunt, Alex Helfrich's bunt single would load the bases with one out. Alissa Birkhimer would drive in a run when she was hit by a pitch and Ratcliffe would plate two more with an RBI double to cut the lead to 9-6.
Amanda Ricker, pinch running for Birkhimer, would score on a bases loaded balk by the Ohio pitcher, give the Zips runners on second and third and the go-ahead run at the plate. However, Kellie Roudabush would ground out and Crystal Hernandez would fly out to end the game.
The Zips and Bobcats will conclude the series tomorrow beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Fans unable to attend the games can follow all the action by visiting the softball schedule page on GoZips.com and clicking on the "Live Stats" link next to each game.
