The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Furman
Baseball Opens Season with 7-5 Win over Furman
February 13 | Baseball
Follow Zips Baseball on Twitter (@ZipsBB) and Facebook
PHOTO GALLERY
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The University of Akron baseball team issued strong performances on both sides of the ball en route to picking up a season-opening 7-5 win over Furman on Friday evening at Latham Stadium.
"Overall, I thought we played solid ball both offensively and on the mound. It was good to see the guys swing the bats the way they did and score some runs early," said head coach Rick Rembielak. "We stayed aggressive throughout the game and that was our goal going in."
With the game locked in a 3-all tie following a three-run fifth inning from Furman, sophomore reliever Josh Davis (1-0) took to the mound and twirled a pair of scoreless innings. Davis retired the side in his first inning of work and stranded the go-ahead run on base during his second. The sophomore threw 27 pitches, 20 for strikes, to pick up the win.
While Davis held off the Paladins, the Zips broke open the game throughout the final three innings with RBI singles off the bats of junior Kris Simonton and sophomore Dom Iero for a 5-3 lead through seven.
The Zips tacked on one run in each of the final two innings before the Paladins posed a scoring threat in the bottom of the ninth. Two runs cross for Furman, but senior reliever Matt LaRocca was awarded the save after he worked his way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam by striking out a pair of batters to end the game.
Akron's offensive effort was led by junior designated hitter Daulton Mosbarger who issued a multi-RBI performance, clubbing two of Akron's 10 total hits.
After a scoreless first inning, a three-hit second frame got the Zips on the board first. A two-run single from Mosbarger pushed LaRocca and sophomore James Meeker III across for an early 2-0 advantage.
While UA got off to a scoring start offensively, junior starting pitcher John Valek III set down the Paladins in order during three of the opening four innings.
"The success starts on the mound and I think Valek did really well for the first time out. He really did his job and kept the batters off balance," Rembielak added.
Meanwhile, Akron clubbed seven hits by the end of the fourth frame, highlighted by an RBI single from Mosbarger that pushed Akron's lead to 3-0 as Mosbarger claimed the Zips' first three RBI.
The Paladins didn't break through Valek until the three-run fifth inning that locked the game at three runs apiece. Valek posted four hits and three earned runs while walking two and fanning one.
It was then that Davis stepped in to hold off the Paladins, allowing the Zips to take the lead.
"Our goal is to continue building and stay consistent heading into tomorrow," Rembielak added.
The Zips continue the three-game series against Furman Saturday afternoon with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Latham Stadium.
