The University of Akron Athletics
Baseball Takes Series over Eastern Michigan with 3-1 Victory
March 22 | Baseball
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Box Score (PDF)
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Zips' pitching staff allowed a season-low four hits while fanning a season-high 12 batters on Sunday to lift the University of Akron baseball team to a 3-1 victory over Eastern Michigan at Oestrike Stadium and open Mid-American Conference play with a series win.
The victory puts Akron at 10-10 overall as the Zips begin league play at 2-1. The Eagles fell to 7-14 overall and 1-2 in the MAC.
"Today's performances were a much better formula for success compared to yesterday, both on the mound and at the plate," said head coach Rick Rembielak.
In his second start of the season, redshirt senior pitcher Jon Pusateri (2-2) picked up the win after throwing 6.0 scoreless innings and allowing just three hits. The right-hander walked none and fanned seven batters to match his single game career high.
"Our guys played with focus, starting with Pusateri. He showed command of all his pitches and overmatched Eastern Michigan's hitters. He gave us great innings to get deep in the game," Rembielak added.
Jensen took over in relief after Pusateri's exit and did not allow EMU to reach base. The redshirt sophomore struck out two, facing six batters in 2.0 clean innings.
Offensively, the Zips got on the board in the first inning with an RBI single from redshirt senior Joey Havrilak that plated Daulton Mosbarger for an early 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the seventh inning, redshirt freshman Mason Mamarella reached on a fielding error and crossed home on a Mosbarger RBI single to put Akron ahead, 2-0.
In the ninth, Mosbarger again singled home Mamarella for a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the frame.
Redshirt senior reliever Matt LaRocca tossed the final inning and allowed a solo homer for Eastern Michigan's only run. LaRocca then picked up three-straight strikeouts to strand the tying runs on first and second and end the game, earning his fourth save of the season.
Akron out-hit the Eagles, 11-4, led by sophomore Dom Iero with a 3-for-4 performance. Mosbarger, Havrilak and Mamarella each had two hits, while Mosbarger also drew a pair of walks.
The Zips are back in action when they host Youngstown State at Lee R. Jackson Field for the home opener on Tuesday, March 24. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
