The University of Akron Athletics
No. 3 Softball challenges No. 6 Central Michigan in MAC Tournament opener
May 06 | Softball
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2014 Mid-American Conference Tournament Central
Video: Julie Jones Pre-Tournament Interview
Video: Erin Seiler Pre-Tournament Interview
AKRON, Ohio -- The University of Akron softball team is set to begin its run in the Mid-American Conference Tournament when it takes on defending tournament champion Central Michigan at 8 p.m. Wednesday night at Firestone Stadium. The original game time of 7:30 p.m. has been pushed back due to early morning rain.
The third-seeded Zips and the sixth-seeded Chippewas will meet for the first time this year, as the two teams did not play during the regular season due to weather conditions.
Akron (27-14, 12-6 MAC) earned the No. 3 seed in the tournament by winning six out of its last seven conference games, highlighted by sweeps of Ohio and Western Michigan. CMU finished the regular season with a 32-20 overall record and a 10-10 mark in the conference, dropping five out of its last six contests.
Several players from each team earned all-conference recognition from the league office this week, headlined by MAC Pitcher of the Year, Erin Seiler, also an All-MAC first team selection. UA's Kellie Roudabush and Jessica Schneider were each named to the league's second team.
Central's senior catcher Cory DeLamielleure joined Seiler on the first team, while Trista Cox (third base) and CarolAnn Sexauer (shortstop) earned second team honors. Pitcher Rachael Knapp was named to the All-MAC freshman team.
While Seiler will surely make things difficult for CMU's hitters, DeLamielleure will return the favor for Akron's baserunners as one of the top catchers in the MAC. Akron and Central enter the contest as the top two teams in the conference in the stolen base category. As a team, UA stole 26 bases during the MAC regular season, as advancing on the basepaths has become an integral part of its game.
Over the course of Akron's last six victories, UA has out-hit MAC opponents .311 to .209, and out-scored them 32-4. Schneider has led the way for the Zips' offense, hitting .588 during that span to go with a 1.059 slugging percentage.
The Zips are guaranteed a minimum of two games in the tournament. With a victory over CMU on Wednesday, Akron would advance to face the winner of No. 2 Buffalo and No. 7 Northern Illinois at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Click here to view the complete 2014 MAC Tournament bracket.
Live stats and video streaming will be available for all games. Single game tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students with a university ID, and $3 for children under 12. All-Tournament passes can also be purchased for $40 for adults and $24 for students.
