The University of Akron Athletics
Baseball Hosts Kent State for Final Homestand
May 15 | Baseball
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron baseball team is set to open their final Mid-American Conference weekend series against rival Kent State University on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., in Canal Park for the seventh annual Diamond Classic for the Kids. The three game series will continue at 3 p.m., on Friday at Lee R. Jackson Field, and will wrap up on Sunday at 1 p.m., also on Lee R. Jackson Field.
Game Day Information
Thursday – 6:30 p.m. – Canal Park – Diamond Classic for the Kids
Kent State: Jr., RHP Taylor Williams (9-1, 2.14 ERA)
Akron: So., RHP Jon Pusateri (2-8, 8.41 ERA)
*Tickets will be $5 for Thursday's game. You can purchase tickets here, or buy them at the gate.
Friday – 3 p.m. – Lee Jackson Field
Kent State: Jr., RHP Tyler Skulina (5-3, 3.78 ERA)
Akron: Fr., LHP John Valek III (4-7, 4.22 ERA)
Saturday - Lee Jackson Field – Senior Day
Kent State: Sr., RHP Casey Wilson (6-5, 4.29 ERA)
Akron: Fr., RHP Michael Steensen (1-2, 6.75 ERA)
*Live stats and a video broadcast will be available through the Akron baseball schedule page.
Series Overview
Akron baseball heads into the three game series with an overall record of 15-34 and 10-13 within the MAC. UA traveled to Xavier University for a Tuesday matchup this week, which resulted in a 5-4 walk-off win for Xavier.
The Zips last MAC series came this past weekend against the Central Michigan Chippewas. Akron defeated CMU in the opening two games of the series by scores of 8-7 and 11-2, but fell in the finale 18-8.
Kent State comes into their final regular season series with a record of 31-21 and 17-7 in the MAC. KSU won their most recent matchup on Tuesday against Pittsburgh by a score of 6-5.
The Golden Flashes played the Western Michigan Broncos last weekend in a three game MAC series. Kent State swept WMU by scores of 3-0, 13-4, and 4-1. KSU is currently second in the MAC East Division standings.
Akron holds an all-time series record of 53-101-1 against Kent State. Last season UA suffered a series sweep from May 17-19 in the 2013 series by scores of 6-1, 15-2 and 2-1.
The Rotation
Sophomore Jon Pusateri will be making his 11th start of the season on Thursday at Canal Park. Pusateri last pitched on Friday in relief of JT Brubaker, and turned in 4.1 scoreless innings with zero runs allowed and six strikeouts. The native of Randolph, Ohio last start on the mound was in the 11-2 win over Penn State on May 7, which resulted in 6.0 innings pitched with one run allowed, six strikeouts and the win.
Freshman John Valek III is set to start on Friday for his 13th start of the season. This season, Valek has pitched a team-leading 81.0 innings, while also tallying a 4.22 ERA with 28 strikeouts.
The native of Parkland, Fla., pitched masterfully against CMU this past Saturday, lasting 8.1 innings on the mound with only two runs allowed and four strikeouts. Valek has a record of 4-7 this season.
Freshman Michael Steensen is the scheduled to start in the regular season finale on Saturday against KSU. The last time out for Steensen resulted in a loss against CMU. Steensen tossed 1.2 innings with three runs allowed, two walks and a strikeout, whilst seeing his record fall to 1-2 with the loss.
The Lineup
Senior Jared Turocy is currently riding a 19 game hit streak, dating back to the April 12 win over Ohio University by a score of 4-2. Over the 19 game span, Turocy has gone 29-for-73 (.397) with 12 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, one homerun, 16 RBI, five walks and nine stolen bases.
Overall this season, the senior from Canfielo, Ohio leads the Akron offense in batting average (.386) and RBI (25). Turocy had a career batting average of .270 to go along with a career total of 24 RBI coming into the 2013 season.
Center fielder Devan Ahart has had a strong 2013 campaign, as he currently leads the Zips offense in runs (25), hits (57), and doubles (15). The native of Orchard Lake, Mich., currently owns a batting average of .296 with 23 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
Junior Brady Stewart has continued to have success at the plate heading into the home stretch of the season. Over the past four games, Stewart has collected eight hits, including one 5-for-5 performance on Sunday against Central Michigan.
Stewart, a native of Ashville, Ohio, has a .283 batting average with 18 RBI and 16 runs scored this season.
Freshman Cale Giddings blasted his first and second homers of the season in Saturday's 11-2 win over CMU. Giddings is currently batting .250 in the Akron lineup with 13 RBI, 10 runs and six doubles.
The Bullpen
Senior Samuel Trecaso has been a strong force at the back of the Akron bullpen this season. Through 30.1 innings, Trecaso has an ERA of 0.89 with three earned runs, 25 strikeouts and 12 walks. The native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio has a pitching record of 4-1 with four saves in 2013.
Freshman Zach Beaver has played a pivotal role in the Zips bullpen this season, as he has recorded 38.1 innings on the mound with an ERA of 3.52 and 18 strikeouts. Beaver has been on the mound for at least two innings in 11 of the UA games in the 2013 season.
Matt LaRocca, a two-way player, has provided Akron a spark in the lineup and out of the bullpen. While batting .276 with 23 RBI for UA, LaRocca has also pitched 32.0 innings with an ERA of 2.81.
PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge
The PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge currently sits at seven points for both Akron and Kent State. Both schools earned points during the MAC Track and Field Outdoor Championships, Akron's men and Kent State's women.
Akron Baseball Golf Outing
Zips baseball will be hosting its annual golf outing this summer on Monday, July 22 at Medina Country Club. If you're interested in participating in the outing, please contact Alexa Doutt by phone at 330-972-2695 or email at asd9@uakron.edu.
