The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Howard
Zips Dominate Howard 9-0
February 28 | Softball
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Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On the final day of the Alabama State Tournament, the Akron Softball team dominates the Howard Bison en route to a five inning 9-0 win to give Akron its first weekend series win of the year going 4-1 at the three-day tournament in Montgomery, Ala.
"Very happy with the weekend overall going 4-1, that's very important. Erin (Seiler) did a good job, Savannah (Fruin) got back on track and our defense looks a lot sharper," said head coach Julie Jones. "Hopefully we can carry this momentum into the next couple of weekends and on into the MAC."
The Zips improved to 6-9 with the win, have won four-straight games and are 6-3 in their last nine games.
In the top of the second inning that Zips put up a season-high five runs in one inning. The Howard pitcher walked four of the first five batters and walked in Akron's first two runs of the game. Freshman Gabrielle Fredericks (New Philadelphia, Ohio) hit into a fielders choice but Schlosser was able scored from third. With runners at second and third following a double steal, sophomore Taylor Kirian (New Riegel, Ohio) poked a single into right-center field clearing the bases to give the Zips a 5-0 lead.
Akron added three more runs in the fourth inning. Junior Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio) was hit by a pitch for her third walk of the afternoon and Fredericks moved her to third base on a single to left field. Nicholas stole home for the Zips first run, Kirian drove home the freshman with a RBI single and she later scored on a RBI ground out by Kelly Hysong (Canton, Ohio).
The Zips offense added one final run in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Fredericks sent a ball to the right side of the infield and grounded out to the second basemen but the runner on third was able to score with ease.
A dominating performance from senior Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio) in the circle stifled the Bison offense. The senior (6-5) threw a complete game one-hitter and whiffed nine batters. Seiler faced 16 Howard players, which is just one batter over the minimum.
Sophomore Cassie Gillespie (Sylvania, Ohio) and Kirian garnered multi-hit games. Gillespie went 2-for-2 and scored two runs while Kirian drove in a game-high three RBI. Nicholas walked twice and was hit by a pitch twice in her four at-bats. The junior swiped four bases and scored two runs.
The Zips continue next weekend as they travel to Kissimmee, Fla. to compete in the Rebel Spring games on March. Akron will face off against Sacred Heart, Niagara, Creighton, and South Dakota State.
