The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Buffalo
Dominant Pitching and Big Bats Earns Zips Softball First MAC Series Sweep
April 13 | Softball
Follow Akron softball on Facebook and Twitter
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
Video Highlights | Photo Gallery
AKRON, Ohio – Akron registers its first Mid-American Conference series sweep over the Buffalo Bulls on the strength of 21 combined hits and two dominant complete games inside the circle from senior Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio) on Wednesday, April 13, at Lee Jackson field.
With the pair of W's over the Bulls, the Zips improve to 21-17-1 and break the .500 mark in the MAC at 5-4-1, while Buffalo drops to 11-27 and 5-6 in the MAC.
Sophomore Taylor Kirian (New Reigel, Ohio) had a huge day at the plate in the initial contest going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored. In game two, freshman Gabrielle Fredericks (New Philadelphia, Ohio) went 1-for-2 with a two RBI single, a walk, and scored another run.
Seiler now holds an 18-12 record when toeing the rubber for the Zips. The Zips ace tossed 14 complete innings on the day recording her 22nd and 23rd complete game and seventh shutout of the year in game two. The righty gave up just four combined hits, two in each contest, struck out 13 to just one walk and forced 15 groundouts.
The Zips were the visiting team in game one against Buffalo after the previous contest against the Bulls in Buffalo, N.Y., was canceled. In the top of the first inning, Akron jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage. Sophomore Caitlin Gambone (Canton, Ohio) drove a RBI single into right field scoring junior Carley Childress (Belknap, Ill.) who was called safe after the Bulls catcher dropped the ball at the plate. With the bases loaded, freshman Cassie Gillespie (Sylvania, Ohio) took her base for an RBI walk.
Buffalo cut the Akron lead to one in the next half inning on a SAC fly by Katie Wiemer scoring Savanna Norcio who tagged up from third after Childress was on the ground after diving for an over the shoulder catch.
Kirian drove in her first RBI of the afternoon to help the Zips regain a two run lead. The right fielder singled to left centerfield and Childress strolled across home plate for the run.
Akron went ahead and put the game out of reach in the fifth and sixth inning adding four more runs. In the top of the fifth, Kirian doubled to right center scoring junior Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio) from second after leading off the inning with a single. Kirian then scored on a mishap by the Bulls catcher after Gambone bunted her way on to first. Two batters later, Gillespie sent a slow roller to the shortstop who couldn't make the play in time allowing Gambone to score from third.
In the next inning, Kirian posted her second double of the game to left field over the outfielders head and Nicholas put her head down and scored from second base.
Akron did their damage in game two in the second inning putting four runs on the board. Gambone led off the inning with her seventh hit by pitch of the year, junior Anna Tarpley (Jacksonville, Ohio) followed with a fielder's choice, and Gillespie reached on an error by the first baseman. Fredericks stepped into the box with the bases loaded and singled to right field for scoring two runs. Later that inning, Nicholas reached safely on an error and Fredericks scored. Sophomore Kayla Schlosser (Erie, Pa) also scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
The Zips rounded out the scoring in the sixth inning with an RBI single by junior Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Ohio). After leading off the inning with a bunt single, Schlosser stole second and scored on Fruin's single into center field.
Akron softball travels to Athens, Ohio, this weekend, April 15-16, for a three-game weekend series with the Bobcats. The teams are set for one game, Friday, April 15, at 3 p.m. and again on Saturday, April 16, with a twinbill. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
