The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Furman
Zips Close Out Upstate Tournament with Loss to Furman
February 21 | Softball
GREENVILLE, S.C. – A dominant performance by Furman's starting pitcher halts the Zips offense on the final day of the Upstate tournament as Akron falls, 4-0, to the Paladins, Sunday afternoon at Pepsi Stadium.
"It's a game of adjustments, that's what we are going to focus on this weekend at practice. If we would have adjusted off this pitcher earlier, I think we would have had a better chance. Obviously we have got to keep them from scoring four runs and Erin (Seiler) has got to be sharper, but she was better this weekend," said head coach Julie Jones. "In the past she's peaked early and now maybe we are on a track where she can peak in MAC play, that's going to be part of the key. We saw some good things on defense this weekend and a few bright spots, but we are still not where we want to be. Hopefully we can come out next weekend and put it all together."
Furman's Lindsey Bert (3-4) pitched a complete game shutout against the Zips and limited Akron to just four base hits. The lefty faced just two batters over the minimum through seven innings.
After threatening to score in the second inning with the bases loaded, the Paladins (5-6) were able to get a pair of runs home in the third inning. Furman scored their first run off a sacrifice fly to left field and added the second run on an RBI single just out of reach of junior Anna Tarpley (Jacksonville, Fla.) at second base.
The Zips (2-8) had an opportunity to score and cut the deficit in the fourth inning but could not bring in the runner's from scoring position. Junior Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) singled and junior Carley Childress (Belknap, Ill.) followed with a single of her own but the runners would stay stranded on second and third.
Furman added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to push their lead to 4-0 with a two-run home run to left field.
Senior Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio) went the distance for Akron tossing six innings. The senior (2-4) allowed four runs on seven hits, struck out three batters and walked two.
The Zips head south again next weekend to the Alabama State Hornet Tournament in Montgomery, Ala., on Feb. 26-28. The Zips will face Eastern Kentucky, Nebraska-Omaha, George Washington, host Alabama State and Howard.
