The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Tennessee Tech
Softball falls to Tennessee Tech, rebounds with last inning heroics over St. John's (N.Y.)
February 10 | Softball
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STATESBORO, Ga. -- The University of Akron softball team came away with another split on the second day of the Eagle Round Robin at Georgia Southern, falling to Tennessee Tech 3-1 and rebounding with a 4-2 win over St. John's (N.Y.). Erin Seiler went 1-1 in the circle, while Kellie Roudabush led the Akron offense with a pair of hits and one RBI on the day.
Tennessee Tech 3, Akron 1 | Box Score
After taking three Tennessee Tech pitchers for 11 hits in their season opener, the Zips struggled to find a rhythm at the plate in a 3-1 loss to the Golden Eagles Saturday morning.
Two scoreless innings went by before Akron threatened for the first time in the top of the third, when McKenzi Rhodes doubled down the left field line.
Taryn Allmon laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance pinch runner Alexa Montesano to third, and Roudabush walked two batters later to put runners on the corners with two outs. With Alissa Birkhimer at bat, Montesano was picked off trying to steal home to end the inning.
UA didn't have to wait long for another crack at a score, as Birkhimer returned to the plate in the top of the fourth and reached first on a dropped fly ball. Iesha Mountain came in to run and promptly stole second, then advanced to third on the ensuing ground out from Jessica Schneider.
Rachael Ratcliffe drove in Mountain and reached safely on a fielder's choice to put the Zips up 1-0. Shawna Hochstetler would walk, and Rhodes would get to first on a fielding error to load the bases with two outs. Akron was unable to capitalize however as Allmon struck out for the third out.
TTU countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, and snuck one more across in the fifth as UA retired in order in two of the last three frames.
Seiler and MacKenzie Conrad split time in the circle with Seiler picking up the loss.
Akron 4, St. John's (N.Y) 2 | Box Score
Seiler picked up her second victory of the season in game two of Saturday's doubleheader in a thrilling 4-2 win over St. John's (N.Y.). The freshman issued four strikeouts against two walks in seven innings of work.
The Zips grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first after leadoff hitter Keelia Nester scored with two outs following an error by the Red Storm's third baseman.
Akron struck again in the third when Roudabush knocked a single up the middle to drive in Allmon, who reached scoring position thanks to a Nester sacrifice bunt. Birkhimer followed with a single of her own to right field, and the Zips' two baserunners would then advance on a passed ball.
Schneider walked to load the bases with one out, forcing St. John's to make a pitching change to stop the bleeding. The Red Storm was able to minimize the damage, taking down Akron's next two batters to end the inning.
A two-out, two-run RBI from St. John's shortstop evened the score at two apiece in the bottom half of the third, and the two teams would be locked in a tie for the next three innings.
The Zips broke free in the top of the seventh as Nester and Roudabush pounded back-to-back singles with one down to get Akron rolling. Birkhimer reached on the Storm's second error of the day, pushing Roudabush to third and driving home Nester to give UA a 3-2 lead.
Erin Pond entered to run for Birkhimer and stole second, giving Schneider the chance to extend the advantage. She would do just that with a sacrifice fly to bring in Roudabush and make it 4-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Seiler came out and took care of business, sitting the Storm down in order to preserve the win.
The Zips (2-2) return to the field next weekend when they travel to Charleston, S.C. for the College of Charleston Cougar Classic. Akron will play a single game on Friday, Feb. 15 vs. James Madison at 6 p.m. before doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.
