The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Savannah State University
Zips Earn First Win on Second Day of Lead Off Classic
February 11 | Softball
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BOXSCORE- Game 3 vs. Savannah State
DELAND, Fla. - The Akron Zips softball team earned its first win of the season with an 8-0 shutout of Savannah State during the second day of action at the Lead Off Classic. The Zips fell to host Stetson, 10-6 in the nightcap.
"When you score 14 runs in two games, you should win two games," head coach Julie Jones said. "We came out with one which was good. We didn't pitch well in the second game, but I do like the fact that we came come back. This is the second loss where we have out-hit a team, which shows we need to improve in the circle."
In the opener against Savannah State, Akron jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the first as juniors Ashley Sims (Brooksville, Fla.) and Taylor Kirian (New Riegel, Ohio) both stole to get in position to score. They both scored on a single hit though the left side hit by senior Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.). Fruin advanced to second by stealing, and was sent home on a double hit to left center by senior Anna Tarpley (Jacksonville, Fla.). On a throwing error by the first baseman, Tarpley scored the Zips' fourth run of the game putting Akron ahead 4-0.
Akron added a pair of security runs in the second inning to make the score 4-0, when junior Kayla Schlosser (Erie, Pa.) stole third and scored on a throwing error on the pitcher. A sacrifice fly to center field by Kirian drove in Sims, giving the Zips a comfortable 6-0 lead.
Freshman RHP Lexie Handley (Mogadore, Ohio) recorded her first win of the season and first shutout. She went the distance, fanning nine and walking one.
In the nightcap against host Stetson, the Zips started the game with a run by Sims in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly to center field from Fruin, giving Akron an early 1-0 lead.
Stetson answered back with a two-run homer to left-center by Blake Crews, giving the Hatters a 2-1 lead. In the top of the third, Jessie Tenbroeck homered to center field adding another Stetson run.
In the bottom of the third, Fruin drove in Sims and Kirian on a double to right center. Akron added three runs in the fourth inning to re-claim the lead when Kirian singled through the right side, driving in a pair of runs. A sacrifice fly to second from Fruin drove in another run, giving the Zips a 6-4 advantage to end the fourth.
Stetson's Maggie Fritts hit a grand slam to center field in the fifth to extend to secure the victory, 10-6.
Sophomore right-hander Kelly Hysong (Bowling Green, Ohio) pitched four innings, striking out one batter and walking three. Handley came in relief in the fourth inning and pitched 1.1 innings. Junior Nicole Best (Broadview Heights, Ohio) finished the game.
Play at the Lead-Off Classic concludes on Sunday, Feb. 12, with Akron facing Kansas again at 10 a.m. at Patricia Wilson Field.
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