The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Toledo
No. 6 Akron Advances In Lopsided Victory Over No. 7 Toledo
May 12 | Softball
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AKRON, Ohio – In a win or go home situation, the No. 6 Akron Zips had a huge bounce back game at the plate and in the circle in an all around 7-0 victory over the No. 7 Toledo Rockets to advance in the 2016 MAC tournament, Thursday night at Firestone Stadium.
Akron improves to 30-24-1 on the year with the win over the Rockets while Toledo's season comes to an end with a overall record of 21-34.
The Zips were swinging away at the plate on the day with a combined 11 hits. Three players had multi-hit performances, fresman Lilli Piper (2-for-4, RBI, R), freshman Gabrielle Fredericks (3-for-4, 2 RBI), and sophomore Taylor Kirian (2-for-4, R).
Senior ace Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio), was dominant inside the circle to help propel Akron into the next round of the tournament. The senior threw a two-hit complete game shutout while striking out five to just on walk. Seiler posted her 33rd complete game and 11th shutout of the year.
Akron wasted no time to get on the board against the Rockets as junior Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) hit a 3-2 pitch to deep left field and she found herself trotting around the bases for her 12th home run of the year.
The Zips continued to roll and play small ball in the top of the second to increase their lead in the top of the inning. Kirian launched a double into the left centerfield gap to lead off the inning and moved over on a SAC bunt by junior Carley Childress (Belknap, Ill.). With two outs, sophomore Kayla Schlosser (Erie, Pa) slapped a slow chopper to second and the speedy left fielder beat out the throw while Kirian scored easily from third.
In the top half of the fifth inning, the Zips doubled up their score courtesy of a two RBI double to left centerfield by freshman Fredericks into left center field. The freshman smoked a 3-2 pitch into the gap and Piper and sophomore Caitlin Gambone (Canton, Ohio), both singled, were running on the pitch and were able to score.
With one out in the top of the sixth inning, Akron had the bases loaded after a single and a pair of walks. Junior Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio) dribbled a hit just in front of the circle but when the Rockets pitcher attempted to make a play at home, the throw sailed over the catchers head and allowing Childress and Schlosser to come around and score. The Zips added an insurance run one batter later off a SAC fly by Piper scoring a tagging Fruin from third.
Akron moves on to the third round of the 2016 MAC tournament tomorrow, May 13, at 1 p.m. The Zips face the No. 1 seed Kent State who fell to No. 4 seed Northern Illinois earlier in the day.
