The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Pittsburgh
Baseball Suffers 8-2 Loss at Pittsburgh
May 08 | Baseball
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Akron Zips baseball team suffered an 8-2 loss at Pittsburgh in midweek action at Cost Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Akron led early thanks to two runs in the first, but was unable to overcome a five-run second inning by the host Panthers.
Senior Sam Watkins and sophomore Brandon Winter each collected two hits for Akron (17-31), while sophomore Brady Stewart drove in both Akron runs.
Starter Tyler Smith (0-4) lasted three innings and gave up six runs, with four being earned. Senior Scott Foster and freshman Jason McPeek both produced scoreless outings out of the Akron bullpen.
Sam Parente drove in three runs for Pittsburgh (25-22) with Rick Devereaux and Elvin Soto recording three hits each. Pitt starter Alex Caravella (3-5) tossed six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits.
The Zips wasted little time taking the lead with Stewart plugging the gap in right center to drive in two in the first. Devan Ahart bunted his way on to start the game and Matt Rembielak singled up the middle to set the table for Stewart's run-scoring double.
Pitt got an RBI double from Parente in the first and then sent across five runs in the second to take a 6-2 lead. Smith didn't help his cause when he overthrew Dan Burant at home on Anthony DeFabio's bases-loaded grounder back to the mound. Deveraux then drove in a pair with a single to right. The Panthers also got a pair of sacrifice flies in the inning.
Pitt's Stephen Vranka added a tally with a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the fourth and reliever Andrew Fanning walked in a run in the eighth to account for the rest of the scoring.
Foster tossed 1.2 innings of shutout relief, while McPeek sat down all six batters he faced.
UA left seven runners on base in the game, stranding three men in scoring position.
Akron plays its final midweek game of the season Wednesday at West Virginia. First pitch in Morgantown is at 3 p.m.
Zips Notebook: The game experienced a 28-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fourth inning.
