The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Savannah St.
Zips Earn First Win at Day One of Furman/Upstate Tournament
February 19 | Softball
GREENVILLE, S.C – The Akron Zips softball team splits day one of the Furman/Upstate Tournament shutting out Furman, 3-0, for its first victory of the 2016 campaign and fell to Savannah St., 6-3, Friday afternoon in Greenville, S.C.
"This last game was exactly what I expected out of the gate with our defense, four double plays in one game, that's huge. Erin (Seiler) was good today, it was good to have her back. We need her in order to reach our goals and she knows that. When she's clicking, everyone plays a little more relaxed," said head coach Julie Jones. "We have been hitting the ball but this time Kelly (Hysong) got the big hit when we needed it. We've been in situations the past few games that we could win the game but nobody came up with that big hit. Today we did that and hopefully we can catch fire, come out tomorrowm and remember how this feels"
The Zips (1-6) took their first lead of the 2016 campaign in the third inning against Furman (1-6). With two outs sophomore Caitlin Gambone (Canton, Ohio) and junior Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio) knocked back-to-back singles. Freshman Kelly Hysong (Canton, Ohio) stepped to the plate and ripped a shot back up the middle allowing Gambone to score from third easily. Nicholas came around from second to score on a bang-bang play at the plate.
Junior Savannah Fruin (Delreay Beach, Fla.) extended the Zips lead to 3-0 all by herself by smacking a solo home run to right-centerfield in the top of the fifth inning. The home run was the first of the year for the junior and ninth of her career.
Picking up the Zips first win of the season in the circle was senior Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio). Akron's ace tossed a complete game, four-hit shutout with four strikeouts and a walk.
In game one of the afternoon, the Tigers struck first in the initial inning of the contest. After registering two quick outs, Savannah St. singled, drew a walk and drove in the runner from second with an RBI single.
Savannah St. (2-4) followed up their first inning scoring two more runs in the second for a 3-0 advantage. The Tigers scored on a wild pitch and scored their second run on a RBI groundout.
Akron did their damage in the fifth and sixth inning scoring three runs combined. In the fifth, sophomore Kayla Schlosser (Erie, Pa.) singled to shortstop and later scored on Gambone's single up the middle. An inning later, junior Anna Tarpley (Jacksonville, Fla.) ripped a shot over the left fielders head that cleared the bases driving in Nicholas and junior Carly Childress (Belkanp, Ill.), both singled.
Sophomore righty Nicole Best (Broadview Heights, Ohio) started in the circle for the Zips against the Tigers. She sophomore tossed 1.1 innings, gave up two hits, three runs and walked three. Sophomore Paige McMenemy (Westerville, Ohio) came in the game in relief of Best. McMenemy threw 5.2 innings, surrendered five hits, and 3 runs while walking three.
The Zips softball team picks back up tomorrow, Feb. 20, as they continue in the Furman/Upstate Tournament against Savannah St. at 11 a.m, and S.C. Upstate at 1 p.m.
