The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Youngstown State
Softball splits non-league twinbill with Youngstown State
April 08 | Softball
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Game One Final Stats | Game One Final Stats (PDF) | Video Highlights
Game Two Final Stats | Game Two Final Stats (PDF) | Season Stats
AKRON, Ohio -- The University of Akron softball team had no shortage of offense Tuesday afternoon as the Zips pounded out a combined 18 hits en route to a doubleheader split against Horizon League foe Youngstown State at Lee R. Jackson Field.
UA (16-9) used a four-run sixth inning to run away with the first game, 8-2, before summoning a momentous comeback that fell just short in an 8-7 loss in game two.
Seven different Zips recorded two or more hits on the day, highlighted by a pair of home runs. Taryn Allmon drove in Akron's first runs of the day with a two-run shot in the bottom of the second inning of game one. Shawna Mailloux launched a game-tying grand slam to left field in the second game that brought Akron back to life after trailing 7-1.
The Zips' homestand continues with a second doubleheader on Friday against Bowling Green. The first game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at Lee R. Jackson Field. Mid-American Conference play will go on through the weekend when the Zips host Toledo in single games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Game One: Akron 8, Youngstown State 2
Akron relied on the heart of its lineup to jumpstart the offense in game one. Jessica Reiman went 2-for-4 at the plate hitting in the third spot, and Jessica Schneider finished the first outing 3-for-3 with a double and a walk batting cleanup. The duo also scored two runs apiece.
Allmon's home run in the second got Akron on the board first, as she connected on an 0-1 pitch that sailed away with the wind blowing out to right field to put the Zips up 2-0.
UA tacked on single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth, when the Zips put on a show with two outs.
Four straight singles, three RBIs and a successfully executed double steal gave Akron four runs with two away and forced a Youngstown State pitching change.
The offense provided plenty of cushion for starting pitcher Erin Seiler, who improved to 10-4 with the complete game victory. Seiler scattered four hits, allowing just one earned run and a pair of walks in seven innings.
Game Two: Youngstown State 8, Akron 7
Mailloux delivered her third home run of the season with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, in the form of a game-tying grand slam to put Akron back in business late in the game.
The Zips fell behind early when Youngstown State put up seven runs over the course of the first three innings against starter Sara Pearson. Akron earned back a run in the second on an RBI single from Alyssa Nicholas, and another in the fourth when Chelsea Wildey took advantage of a YSU throwing error.
It wasn't until Mackenzie Conrad stepped to the plate for her first at-bat of the day in the bottom of the sixth inning that Akron caught fire. Wildey had reached on a fielder's choice and Allmon and Kellie Roudabush drew a pair of walks to set the stage for Conrad with two down. The sophomore from LaGrange, Ohio took the first pitch she saw and ripped it to left field to plate Wildey and keep the inning alive.
Mailloux looked at just one pitch before she dug in for her home run, putting the finishing touches on the Zips' five-run sixth inning and tying the game at seven.
YSU was able to sneak one across in the top of the seventh on a fielder's choice to take back the 8-7 advantage that would stick through the final frame. Despite throwing 3.1 solid innings of relief, Conrad (4-4) was tagged with the loss.
