The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Furman
Baseball Downs Furman 11-3 to Take Series
February 15 | Baseball
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Box Score
GREENVILLE, S.C. – A strong outing by senior starting pitcher Pat Dyer kept the Furman offense at bay while junior outfielder Kris Simonton went 3-for-4 at the plate to fuel the Zips' offensive effort as they took the three-game series with an 11-3 victory over the Paladins at Latham Stadium on Sunday.
"It was a very good weekend for us overall, both offensively and defensively. We were aggressive at the plate and ran the bases extremely well. We kept pressure on their defense by placing runners in scoring position," said head coach Rick Rembielak. "Our starters gave us great outings and we generated a lot of runs for them."
On the offensive end, Simonton posted a pair of RBI and clubbed a team-high three hits. He crossed the plate twice for Akron.
Sophomore infielder Dom Iero also recorded two RBI on Sunday afternoon for a team-high total of six RBI throughout the weekend. Iero went 6-for-13 at the plate to open the season with a .462 batting average while also posting a home run, a stolen base and three runs scored in the series.
Joining the duo with two RBI in the series finale was junior designated hitter Daulton Mosbarger who laced a two-run homer in the seventh inning and posted three runs scored in the contest.
The Zips out-hit the Paladins 9-4 on Sunday and 32-23 overall in the three-game series. Akron was advantageous at the plate, as it batted .302 (13-of-43) with runners in scoring position and .375 (3-of-8) with the bases loaded.
Dyer (1-0) silenced Furman's bats through his first three innings on the mound, retiring the Paladins in order twice in that span.
The southpaw picked up the win after working six innings with Furman managing just two hits and two runs, all coming in the fourth inning. Dyer fanned six batters and walked one while receiving plenty of run support from the Zips' explosive offense as it scored early and often.
"We had a very good outing by Dyer. He looked sharp with all his pitches and he stayed in command," said Rembielak. "We also put together a lot of quality at bats, with a big day from Simonton."
Akron led off the second inning with three-straight hits, including an RBI double from sophomore catcher Brian Lees. Sophomore infielder James Meeker III followed with a ground-out RBI and sophomore outfielder Anthony Bova recorded a run-scoring bunt to put Akron ahead 3-0.
After senior outfielder Joey Havrilak drew a walk and stole second to advance into scoring position, Simonton batted him home on a single through the right side for a 4-0 lead in the third frame.
Furman closed in on the Zips, making it 4-2 in the fourth inning after the Paladins' Chris Ohmstede snuck a two-run homer over the left-field fence.
Akron quickly escaped the two-run game, forcing two Furman fielding errors to plate three runs in the top of the fifth and put the game out of reach as the Zips would go on to add two runs in both the sixth and seventh inning.
Junior reliever Zach Beaver finished things off on the mound, keeping the Paladins hitless while recording two strikeouts and a walk in two innings pitched.
The Zips return to action when they travel to take on Charlotte in a four-game series beginning on Friday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m.
