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Softball's 2-0 shutout of Georgia State highlights Saturday's doubleheader
February 23 | Softball
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PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. – Akron split its first two games at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament hosted by Kennesaw State on Saturday afternoon, falling to Northern Colorado 10-2 in five innings, and rebounding with a key 2-0 victory over Georgia State on its home field.
"After the opening game, we talked about making the necessary adjustments because going back to last weekend we had played two poor games in a row," said head coach Julie Jones. "Our players responded well against Georgia State, playing great defense and delivering timely hitting in a well-pitched game."
The split evens UA's record to 5-5 on the season.
Northern Colorado 10, Akron 2 (5) | Box Score
Alissa Birkhimer and Rachael Ratcliffe delivered solo home runs in the top of the fourth, but that was the only action from the Zips' bats in a five inning, 10-2 loss to Northern Colorado.
Save for the home runs, Akron was unable to push a runner past first base in the contest, while Northern Colorado (4-7) pounded out eight hits including two four-run innings.
The two solo shots broke a 10-inning scoreless drought for UA that extended back to its loss against College of Charleston last Sunday.
Erin Seiler and MacKenzie Conrad combined for seven strikeouts, but Seiler moved to 2-3 on the season with the loss.
Akron 2, Georgia State 0 | Box Score
It did not take long for the Zips to regain their composure in game two, as Birkhimer came out on the right side of a pitchers' duel, throwing a complete game shutout in UA's 2-0 victory over Georgia State on the Panthers' home field.
Birkhimer's gem of a game forced GSU to leave seven runners on base, even though the Panthers tallied five hits to Akron's three.
Once again, UA waited until the fourth inning to strike when Erin Pond delivered a leadoff infield single. Pond advanced to second on Birkhimer's sacrifice bunt that followed, bringing Ratcliffe to the plate.
Ratcliffe came through in the clutch, belting her fourth home run of the year over the left field wall to give Akron its 2-0 lead.
Georgia State (5-6) nearly mustered a comeback with two outs in the top of the sixth. Birkhimer (3-2) retired the first two batters without issue before GSU rightfielder Audrey Mason reached safely on an Akron error and advanced to second base. Mason moved over to third on a wild pitch, but was caught stealing home to end the inning.
The Zips held on to their two-run lead heading into the top of the seventh and Birkhimer saw the victory through, retiring the side in order and putting out two of the three batters unassisted.
Akron wraps up the tournament Sunday with a single game against Troy. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m. ET.
