The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Niagara
Akron Softball Sweeps Niagara 12-1 and 5-0
April 03 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – The Akron softball team closed out its eight-game home stand with a 12-1 (five innings) and 5-0 sweep of the Niagara Purple Eagles on Tuesday at Lee R. Jackson Field.
The Zips (13-18-1) allowed just one run on five hits in the twin bill while posting 17 runs and 21 hits against the Purple Eagles (4-18).
UA grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first in game two thanks to a bases-loaded groundout by Kellie Roudabush to score Brittany Maurer.
Thanks to an extra out in the bottom of the second, UA was able to add to its lead. Keelia Nester reached first with two outs on a strikeout and a passed ball. Back-to-back base hits loaded the pads before Alissa Birkhimer hit a double to right. Alex Helfrich, who reached on a single one batter earlier, was gunned down at the plate to end the inning with Akron up 3-0.
UA added to its lead on a two-out, two-run single by Crystal Hernandez in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-0 lead.
Kinsi Tellep (1-1) earned her first win of the season, striking out 10 and giving up just two hits and one walk in the seven-inning shutout.
Akron manufactured a run in the bottom of the first to grab an early 1-0 lead. Helfrich reached on an infield single to third and later scored on an Allison Dorr sacrifice fly after stealing second and third.
Niagara answered with a solo home run in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1, but the Zips would answer. Taryn Allmon launched a ball to center for her first home run of the season and a 2-1 Akron lead.
Birkhimer hit her fifth home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the third inning to extend Akron's lead to 3-1. Hernandez hit her first home run of the season five batters later, with two on, to give UA a 6-1 advantage.
Akron increased its lead to 12-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Rachael Ratcliffe hit a three-run homer, the fourth by the Zips on the day. UA added two more runs thanks to a Niagara error and wild pitch, both with the bases loaded.
Maurer (11-15) earned the win in game one, allowing one run on three hits and striking out three.
The Zips will continue MAC play on Friday, April 6, when they travel to Oxford, Ohio, to face the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.
