The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Charlotte
Baseball Splits Doubleheader Against Charlotte
February 21 | Baseball
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Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Akron baseball team played errorless baseball as it battled through a pair of pitchers' duels to split its twinbill against Charlotte on Saturday afternoon. The Zips took game one, 2-1, and suffered a seven-inning 1-0 loss in the second game at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium.
The Zips' pitching staff shined in both games as the offense struggled to string hits together.
"Each game was well pitched by both teams. There weren't many hits by either team as hitters were kept off-balance very well," said head coach Rick Rembielak.
Both starting pitchers, junior John Valek III (1-0) and junior JT Brubaker (0-1), went deep as Valek posted seven innings pitched with a career-high six strikeouts. Brubaker pitched the complete seven-inning game two.
Valek's career-high six strikeouts bests his previous mark of five, posted on two occasions. In addition, the southpaw allowed one run on six hits and walked two, ending his outing after 100 total pitches.
Junior Zach Beaver relieved Valek in game one and posted a scoreless eighth inning to set up a save situation for junior Daulton Mosbarger who was awarded his first career save after pitching the final frame.
In the front end of the doubleheader, the Zips (3-2) out-hit the 49ers 10-6 and scattered their ten hits throughout the game as they struggled to place a runner in scoring position until the fifth inning.
An RBI double put Charlotte (1-1) ahead 1-0 in the third. The lead would stick until the eighth inning when sophomore infielder Dom Iero clubbed a two-run single with runners on the corners for the 2-1 victory. Iero was one of four Zips to end the game with two hits.
In the second game, Brubaker absorbed the loss despite a strong outing in which he pitched six innings, gave up four hits and one run while striking out two and walking none.
The 49ers plated the game's only run, coming on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
Charlotte starter JD Prochaska got the win after working six innings on the mound, fanning five Zips and holding them to three hits as Akron was narrowly out-hit, 4-3, in the shutout.
Sophomore catcher Brian Lees led Akron in hits, going 3-for-5 throughout the doubleheader.
The rubber match of the three-game series will take place on Sunday at Hayes Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
