The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Kentucky
Baseball Falters in Series Opener to Kentucky
March 01 | Baseball
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Akron (0-7) baseball team dropped the series opener to the University of Kentucky (8-1) by a score of 21-2 on Friday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The pitcher of record for Akron was the starter Jon Pusateri. Pusateri pitched one inning, and gave up nine earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout. His record fell to 0-3 in the loss to Kentucky. Pusateri was followed on the mound by Michael Steensen and Pat Dyer from the bullpen, who also struggled to control the Kentucky lineup.
"Our first three pitchers did not attack the zone today," Head Coach Rick Rembielak said. "Jon (Pusateri) needs to make a mechanical adjustment and continues to work on it. He has it in him, it'll come around. We need him in that spot."
Junior Tyler Begun returned to the leadoff spot in the lineup on Friday afternoon. Begun had the strongest showing for the Zips, as he recorded four base hits with one run scored, his first hits and run of the season.
"We swung a little better today, and we're very pleased to see Tyler have such a good day. He has made an adjustment in his swing the past week, and it showed," Rembielak said following the game.
Devan Ahart and Matt LaRocca contributed one base hit and one RBI a piece in the loss. Ahart now has two RBI this season, while LaRocca's RBI was his first of the season.
Catcher Brady Stewart's consecutive game hit streak was stopped at six after going 0-4 against the Wildcats. Stewart did register a walk this afternoon, which extends his consecutive on-base streak to seven games.
Sophomore Matt Rembielak collected his second hit of the season, and also scored his first run of the season. The Akron offense totaled nine hits on the afternoon.
The pitching staff was roughed up through the second inning, but settled down as the game progressed. Joe Cochran and Joe Vazquez held the Wildcats scoreless for the last four innings of the game. Cochran finished with 3.0 innings pitched with two strikeouts, while Vazquez tossed one scoreless frame.
Akron and Kentucky will matchup again Saturday at 1 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium. John Valek III is scheduled to start for UA. Live stats and video links can be found on the Akron baseball schedule page.
