The University of Akron Athletics
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Penn
Big bats power Softball past Penn and Holy Cross on Day One in Florida
March 08 | Softball
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KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The University of Akron softball team picked up two wins on its first day at the Rebel Spring Games on Friday, defeating Penn, 7-2, and Holy Cross, 9-5. Shawna Hochstetler hit .714 in the two games combined, going 5-for-7 with three RBI and five runs scored. Jessica Schneider, McKenzi Rhodes and Rachael Ratcliffe each tallied a home run, and Schneider and Rhodes had four RBI apiece in what proved to be an extremely productive day offensively for the Zips.
Akron 7, Penn 2 | Box Score
Rhodes had a breakout performance at the plate, knocking out her first collegiate home run as she went 2-for-3 with four RBI to lead Akron to a 7-2 victory over Penn in game one.
Erin Seiler (3-3) tossed a complete game without giving up walk or an earned run to pick up the victory.
The Zips took two Quaker pitchers for 10 hits in all, using a three-run fourth inning to establish a lead they could hold onto.
After Ratcliffe delivered a two-out two-run homerun in the top of the first, Penn evened the score with a run in the bottom half of the inning and another one in the third.
Rhodes would unleash her bat in the top of the fourth, as her three-run blast also came with two down. The Zips had the chance to keep the momentum up after Cassie Gleisner walked and Keelia Nester singled to left field to force a Penn pitching change, but the fielder's choice that followed would end the inning.
Akron tacked on two more insurance runs in the sixth, thanks to RBI singles at the hands of Rhodes and Kellie Roudabush.
After Penn (4-9) scored in the bottom of the third, Seiler and the Zips' defense did not allow a runner past first base for the rest of the game.
Akron 9, Holy Cross 5 | Box Score
Schneider tallied four RBI in a 2-for-3 showing with a walk and a home run in UA's decisive 9-5 win over Holy Cross in game two.
Alissa Birkhimer pitched five innings and improved to 4-3 with the victory, issuing five strikeouts and allowing just one run.
UA held Holy Cross (3-7) scoreless through the first four frames, building an 8-0 advantage in the meantime.
Roudabush helped herself to a leadoff double in the bottom of the third, eventually advancing to third base on a wild pitch. Ratcliffe walked and stole second, to give Shawna Hochstetler two runners in scoring position with one out.
Hochstetler brought them both around with a double to left field, and went on to steal third one batter later. With two away, Schneider hit one over the left field wall, putting the cap on the four-run inning.
MacKenzie Conrad and Seiler combined to pitch the top of the sixth, giving up a combined four runs on two hits. Seiler would finish the game without issue, allowing a harmless one-out single in the top of the seventh before locking up the win.
Akron continues tournament play Saturday with a doubleheader against South Dakota and Sacred Heart, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
