The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Miami (Ohio)
Kirian's Late Game Home Run Propels Zips Past RedHawks, Claim Series, 2-1
April 30 | Softball
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Box Score (Game One) | Box Score (Game Two) | Photo Gallery | Video Highlights
AKRON, Ohio – Trailing 6-5 heading into he bottom of the sixth inning once again, sophomore Taylor Kirian (New Riegel, Ohio) put the Zips ahead, 8-6, with one swing of the bat with a three-run home run to left for the eventual game-winning runs in game two to take the series over the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Lee Jackson Field.
Akron fell to Miami (Ohio), 4-1, in game one of the twinbill and were held in check by the Miami pitching staff only giving up four hits.
The Zips now stand at 28-21-1 overall on the year and 10-8-1 in the Mid-American Conference picking up another game on the RedHawks. The ten wins in conference play surpasses the teams nine wins from a year ago and the 28 overall wins are the most by Akron softball team since 2009 (35). Miami (Ohio) falls to 27-21 overall with a 12-7 in the MAC.
Prior to game two, senior's McKenzi Rhodes (Marenga, Ohio) and Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio) were honored for senior day.
On the day, Seiler (24-16) pitched 12 innings of work combined inside the circle. The Akron ace pitched a complete game in the Zips 4-1 loss. Seiler gave up five hits, four runs, and struck out two. In the second contest of the day, the righty made her fifth appearance out of the bullpen and tossed five innings. Seiler surrendered seven hits, three runs and struck out four but picked up the W late in the game. Rhodes made an appearance in game two, stood tall in the batters box and took one for the team.
The RedHawks claimed an early 1-0 lead over the Zips in the second inning of game one off a solo home run by Lauren Andersen.
Akron would come back in the sixth inning after being held to just two hits through five innings to tie up the game at one. Junior Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio) and freshman Lilli Piper (Norton, Ohio) led off the inning with back-to-back singles and each advanced on a wild pitch. Junior Anna Tarpley pinch ran for Piper at second and later scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Carley Childress (Belknap, Ill.) to knot up the game.
Miami (Ohio) countered the Zips efforts in the sixth inning with a big seventh innig of their own. The RedHawks Hailey Reed hit an RBI double and Anderson hit her second home run of the game.
After trialing for most of the game, a huge four run sixth inning helped the Zips edge the RedHawks in game two.
Miami (Ohio) came out of the gate swinging in the first two innings of game two scoring two runs in each the first and second inning.
Akron cut the deficit to, 4-1, in the bottom of the fourth inning. After junior Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) doubled to left field to lead off the inning, sophomore Caitlin Gambone ripped an RBI single to right field and Fruin came around to score.
Each team scored in the fifth inning with the RedHawks getting one run back but Akron pulled within two with two runs of their own. Miami's lone run came off a solo home run by Kaitlyn Gliha. Akron's Fruin one-upped the solo shot by the RedHawks with a two-run bob to left center field.
After Miami (Ohio) extended its lead to 6-4, the Zips exploded in the sixth inning to claim the lead for the first time all afternoon. With runners on first and second, Piper singled through the right side and sophomore Kayla Schlosser (Erie, Pa.) came around from second to score. One batter later, Kirian put the Zips on top after launching a three-run home run to left field.
The RedHawks did not go down quietly as Hailey Reed hit a solo home run to lead off the top of the seventh inning but Seiler set down the next three in order to preserve the victory.
Akron heads on the read next weekend for its final regular season games against cross-town rival Kent State. The Zips and Golden Flashes will battle in a three-game weekend series on May 6-7.
