The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Robert Morris
Akron Softball Splits Doubleheader at Robert Morris
April 17 | Softball
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Akron softball team split a non-conference doubleheader at Robert Morris on Tuesday, winning game one 6-0 and falling 8-2 in game two.
Brittany Maurer (13-18) pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout in Akron's 6-0 game one win. Maurer walked one and struck out seven as just three RMU players reached base.
Alissa Birkhimer went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs while Crystal Hernandez also had two RBIs thanks to a 1-for-3 performance.
The Zips (15-24-1) took an early 1-0 lead in game one courtesy of an RBI groundout by Taryn Allmon with one out in the top of the second.
Akron threatened to add to its lead in the top of the fourth, but failed to plate a run. Alex Helfrich reached on a bunt single to open the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. A couple pitches later, she stole third base, but was stranded.
Maurer retired nine of the first 10 batters before giving up her first hit of the game, a double, in the bottom of the fourth inning.
RMU (26-18) looked to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth, advancing a runner to third base with two outs, but Maurer forced the groundout to end the inning.
Hernandez gave the Zips with 3-0 lead with no outs in the top of the fifth on a two-RBI single. Three batters later and with the bases loaded, Birkhimer hit a two-RBI single to increase the Akron advantage to 5-0. UA added a run in the seventh for the 6-0 win.
Robert Morris grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, its first run of the day against the Akron pitching staff. The Colonials would add three more runs in the inning to take a 4-0 advantage. RMU added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to increase its lead to 7-0.
Hernandez got the Zips on the board in the top of the fifth with a one-out homer to center field, her second of the season, to cut the RMU lead to 7-1 but the Colonials would get the run back in the bottom of the sixth (8-1).
Akron would try to rally in the top of the seventh, putting the first two runners on base. But, with runners on first and third, Cassie Gleisner would fly out and Kellie Roudabush would get caught in a rundown for the second out of the inning. Amanda Ricker would later score on an error, but the Zips would fall 8-2.
The Zips will return home for four games beginning with a doubleheader against defending Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan on Friday, April 20. First pitch for the twin bill is set for 1 p.m.
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