The University of Akron Athletics
Baseball Drops Series Opener to Buffalo, 7-6
April 26 | Baseball
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Box Score
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron (9-30, 6-10 MAC) baseball team fell to the University at Buffalo (22-17, 12-4 MAC) by a score of 7-6 on Friday evening at Canal Park in the first game of this three game Mid-American Conference series.
Freshman JT Brubaker made the start at pitcher for UA, and turned in 4.0 innings pitched with five earned runs allowed. Brubaker was handed a no-decision in the loss.
Akron was down early after Buffalo plated a run in the top of the first inning, but rebounded in the bottom half of the first to tie the game at one. With the bases loaded, Cale Giddings lifted a sac fly to left field to score the Zips first run of the game.
Brubaker held the Bulls scoreless in the top of the second, while the Zips rallied for four runs in the bottom of the second. Brady Stewart led off the inning with a walk, which was followed up by Darius Washington's first hit of the game.
A passed ball and an errant throw by the Buffalo pitcher allowed both runs to score. The Zips were not done scoring yet, as Matt LaRocca logged an RBI double to right field to give UA a 4-1 advantage.
Giddings polished off the Akron scoring effort with an RBI single to left field, putting the Zips up four runs heading into the top of the third inning.
Buffalo worked their way to a tie ballgame with a three-run third and a one run fourth. However, Akron notched another run in the fourth to take a one-run lead on a Giddings sac fly to left. Giddings finished the game with one hit, three RBI and one walk.
The Bulls notched the game-deciding runs in the top of the sixth with Andrew Fanning on the mound. Fanning pitched 2.0 innings with two earned runs allowed and one strikeout. His record stands at 0-2 on the season.
Overall, the Akron offense registered 15 hits in 36 total at-bats with seven walks. Washington was most successful at the plate, going 4-for-5 in the loss with one run scored.
Four different Zips – Tyler Begun, Matt Rembielak, Jared Turocy and Brady Stewart – notched two base hits a piece in the loss to Buffalo. Devan Ahart also registered his first triple of the season on Friday.
Akron and Buffalo will matchup again tomorrow at 2 p.m., on Lee R. Jackson Field for the second game of the series. Admission to all Akron home games is free of charge.
Live stats and a video broadcast will be available through the Akron baseball schedule page.
