The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Northern Illinois
Baseball Falters in Series Finale to Northern Illinois
March 31 | Baseball
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AVON, Ohio – The University of Akron (4-20, 2-4 MAC) baseball team fell in the series finale to Northern Illinois University (8-17, 4-2 MAC) by a score of 14-4 in a Mid-American Conference matchup on Sunday at All Pro Freight Stadium.
Sophomore Pat Dyer was the starting pitcher for the Zips, and was tagged with the loss to drop his record to 0-3. In his fifth start of the season, Dyer pitched 2.2 innings with four earned runs allowed and three strikeouts.
Akron took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, after Jared Turocy ripped an RBI single to right field, scoring Matt Rembielak on the play. Turocy's first inning single continued his consecutive game hit streak, which now stands at five games.
UA relinquished the one run lead in the second inning, as Northern Illinois plated four runs in the inning. Akron rebounded in the third inning with Devan Ahart scoring on a throwing error by the NIU shortstop to bring the score to 4-2.
The Akron offense fought back for two more runs in the ninth inning, but Northern Illinois' damage of 10 runs from the fifth and sixth inning was too much to overcome.
Joey Havrilak recorded a triple in the ninth inning, after rocketing a fly ball over the centerfielder's head. Havrilak's triple was his and Akron's first triple of the season.
Matt LaRocca continued to hit well out of the cleanup spot in the order, as he delivered two base hits in the loss. LaRocca pushed his consecutive game hit streak to seven games after his single in the third inning.
Anthony Bova, Cale Giddings and Ahart registered one double a piece in the loss to NIU. Ahart finished the game with two hits and one run scored, while Bova finished the game with one hit and one walk.
Giddings made his first collegiate start on Sunday against Northern Illinois. The native of Pickerington, Ohio turned in a 1-for-4 performance, collecting his first collegiate base hit in the game.
Senior Samuel Trecaso tossed 2.0 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and two strikeouts. Trecaso has yet to give up an earned run this season in 9.1 innings pitched.
Akron's next game will be at home in Canal Park on Tuesday at 3 p.m., against Pittsburgh. Admission to the ballpark will be free of charge.
