The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Youngstown State
Jones Records 500th Win as Zips Shut Out Youngstown State
March 21 | Softball
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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio— With a 2-0 victory at Youngstown State on Tuesday, the Akron Zips softball team gave its head coach Julie Jones the 500th victory of her career.
Jones, in her 11th season with the Zips, now stands 500-542-4 in her 21 years as a head coach. At Akron, Jones is 256-283-2. She recorded her 250th UA win earlier this season with a 1-0 shutout of Fort Wayne (Feb. 19). Jones is Akron's all-time leader for games coached (540) and ranks second in coaching wins (256).
UA shut out YSU, 2-0, in the first game of the twinbill. The Zips (11-12 overall) fell to the Penguins (6-17 overall) in the night cap, 4-1.
In the opener, Akron got on the board in the top of the first inning when junior OF Ashley Sims (Brooksville, Fla.) scored on a stolen base attempt by senior catcher Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio), which gave the Zips an early 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the second inning, an RBI single to third from senior 2B Anna Tarpley (Jacksonville, Fla.) gave the Zips a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Penguins threatened to score with two runners on, but weren't able to capitalize completing the Zips' shutout victory.
Freshman southpaw Lexie Handley (Mogadore, Ohio) started and pitched a complete game, earning her 10th win of the season (10-6 overall). She struck out eight batters and walked three.
In the closer, the Zips scored in the top of the first when Sims stole third and advanced home on a throwing error by the catcher.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Penguins went up 2-1 on a two-run homer to left field. YSU added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning from a two-run RBI single to right field.
Sophomore Kelly Hysong (Beach City, Ohio) started and pitched four innings, fanning three and walking four. Junior Nicole Best (Broadview Heights, Ohio) relieved her in the bottom of the fourth, lasting two innings, fanning one batter with no walks. Junior Kooper Vertz (Dilsboro, Ind.) made her first appearance as a Zip in the bottom of the sixth inning, facing four batters.
"Lexie was good; our offense was not good," Jones said after the doubleheader. "We need to figure out how to get better tomorrow, because this weekend we face a good pitcher who pitches down."
Akron opens Mid-American Conference play this weekend at Northern Illinois. The Zips and Huskies will play a single game on Friday, March 24, at 3 p.m. CT, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, March 25 at 1 p.m. CT. Live stats and video will be available for each game (links on GoZips.com).
