The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Youngstown State
Baseball Heads to Youngstown State for a Wednesday Matchup
April 03 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron baseball team travels to Youngstown State University on Wednesday for a 3 p.m., midweek contest.
Game Day Information
Wednesday – 3 p.m.
Akron: Fr., RHP Michael Steensen (0-1)
Youngstown State: Sr., RHP Pat Shedlock (0-1)
*Links to live stats and a video stream are available through the Akron baseball schedule page.
Matchup Overview
Zips baseball enters the Youngstown matchup with a 4-21 overall record, following an 11-7 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday afternoon. UA fell behind 10-3, but scored three runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to four. The Zips will try to snap a four game losing streak Wednesday.
Youngstown State comes into Wednesday after losing at Ohio State 3-0 on Tuesday. The Penguins are 7-19 on the season, but have won three out of their last five.
This is the 157th time these two schools have met, with Akron leading the overall series 94-62. The Zips won the last time they played YSU, defeating the Penguins 5-2 at Canal Park on March 28 last season.
The Lineup
Sophomore Matt LaRocca comes into Wednesday riding an eight game hitting streak. The third baseman went 2-for-5 against Pittsburgh, which included a single, double, and an RBI. On the season, LaRocca is second on the team in batting average, hitting .314, with a .344 on-base percentage. He also has a team-high with 27 hits, which includes three doubles, two home runs, and has driven in a team high 13 runs. He is batting .343 during his 8-game hit streak.
Jared Turocy is now riding a six game hitting streak, following a 1-for-3 performance against Pittsburgh. The senior is leading the team in batting average (.385) and on-base percentage (.414). His last multi-hit game was against Northern Illinois on March 30 where he went 2-for-4 with two singles.
Right fielder Joey Havrilak continued his hot streak against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. He went 1-for-3 with two runs, two walks, and an RBI. This follows up a great series against NIU where he had three base hits, including a double and a triple and scored three runs.
Freshman Cale Giddings has three hits – all doubles - in seven at-bats for the Zips. He currently owns an .857 slugging percentage in the early stages of his collegiate career.
The Starter
Freshman Michael Steensen is making his second start of the season and his fifth appearance. He has pitched 8.1 innings, surrendering 16 runs and 17 hits.
A graduate of Granville High School, Steensen threw 14 complete games for Granville, while posting a 2.49 ERA in 140.2 innings and striking out 120 batters.
Looking to the Weekend
Akron will welcome Miami (Ohio) for a three game series this coming weekend, which is set to begin on Friday at 3 p.m., in Lee R. Jackson Baseball Field. The series will continue with games at 1 p.m., on both Saturday and Sunday. Miami has a midweek contest against Ohio State on Wednesday prior to the Akron series.
