The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Citadel
Baseball Edged in Series Opener at Citadel
March 12 | Baseball
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Charleston, S.C. – The University of Akron baseball team (1-12) lost to The Citadel (11-6) on Tuesday evening by a score of 7-1 at Riley Park in the first game of a two game series.
Sophomore Pat Dyer was the starting pitcher for Akron, and his record fell to 0-2 on the season in the loss. Dyer lasted 5.0 innings pitched with five strikeouts and four earned runs. This was Dyer's second start of the season.
"Dyer missed a couple bunts, and wasn't aggressive in his first two innings," Head Coach Rick Rembielak said following the loss. "His last three innings changed, and he was better."
Akron was put in an early 6-0 hole after Citadel recorded three runs in both the first and second innings. Joey Havrilak drove in Akron's lone run in the fourth with an RBI groundout to second that scored Devan Ahart from third. The RBI was Havrilak's third of the season, and Ahart's run scored was his second of the season.
Freshman Billy Salem received the start at second base, and turned in a team-leading three hits in four at-bats. Salem's hits were the first of his collegiate career.
Matt LaRocca and Ahart followed Salem in the hit column, as each registered two hits against Citadel. Ahart has a team-leading .292 batting average, while LaRocca has the second highest at .270 with a minimum of 15 at-bats.
"Still need to score more than one or two runs a game, but saw a few better at-bats by some guys," Rembielak said of the Akron offense. "Good to see some multi-hit games by several of the guys."
Following Dyer's exit after the fifth inning, the Akron bullpen allowed one run over three innings pitched. Joe Cochran was the first pitcher out of the bullpen allowing the lone run in 2.0 innings pitched with one strikeout. Joe Vazquez pitched one inning of relief in the eighth inning, while also tallying a strikeout.
Akron and Citadel will play the second game of the two game series on Wednesday at 4 p.m., at Riley Park. Freshman Michael Steensen is the probable pitcher for UA.
