The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Host Ohio in Weekend MAC Softball Series
April 13 | Softball
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MEDIA GUIDE | GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LIVE STREAM
vs. Ohio [26-11, 7-5 MAC]
Lee R. Jackson Field • Akron, Ohio
Friday, April 14 • 3 p.m.
DH on Saturday, April 15 • 1 & 3 p.m.
Live Stats: www.GoZips.com
Webstream: www.GoZips.com
THIS WEEK
Akron returns home for a three-game series against Ohio. A single game is scheduled for Friday, April 14, at 3 p.m., followed by a twinbill on Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. All games will be played at Lee R. Jackson Field. The games will be streamed live on GoZips.com with Scott Nixon (play-by-play) and coach Scott Scalf (analysis) calling the action.
MEET THE ZIPS
The Akron Zips, under the guidance of 11th-year head coach Julie Jones, stand 17-21 overall and 6-6 in MAC play after a 3-2 win at Buffalo on Wednesday. The Zips return 10 letterwinners, including four starters. UA welcomes four freshmen.
After 38 contests, junior OF Ashley Sims (Brooksville, Fla.), is the Zips' top hitter, batting .393 with 29 runs, 46 hits, and a MAC-best 34 stolen bases. Senior OF Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) follows at .317 with 35 RBI, 33 hits, and nine home runs.
In the circle, freshman lefty Lexie Handley (Mogadore, Ohio) has a 2.46 ERA. She stands 14-13 overall, throwing a MAC-high 162.1 innings with 144 strikeouts and 59 walks. Junior Kooper Vertz (Dilsboro, Ind.) is 2-1 overall with a 3.23 ERA. She has pitched 26.0 innings with 10 strikeouts and 10 walks.
SCOUTING OHIO
The Bobcats, under seventh-year head coach Jodi Hermanek, stand 26-11 overall and 7-5 in MAC play after an 11-inning 1-0 loss to Kent State on Wednesday. Sophomore Alex Day is the leading hitter for the Bobcats, batting .365 with 46 hits, 30 runs, and 18 RBI. In the circle, senior Savannah Jo Dorsey has seen the most action, pitching 148.0 innings. She stands 15-6 overall with a 1.56 ERA, fanning 229 and walking 46 batters.
SERIES VS. OHIO
In series action, Akron and Ohio have met 84 times with UA holding a 61-23 all-time series advantage. In MAC games only, the Zips hold a 46-23 series edge. Last season the Zips went 2-3 against the Bobcats claiming 4-3 and 1-0 wins, followed by a 1-2 loss. The Zips and Bobcats faced each other in the MAC Championship on May 11 at the Firestone Stadium. The Zips fell to the #3 seed Ohio, 3-1.
LAST ACTION
Akron came away with a 3-2 Mid-American Conference victory over Buffalo on Wednesday afternoon at Nan Harvey Field.
After three scoreless innings, Akron scored the game's first two runs in the top of the fourth inning when senior OF Savannah Fruin hit a two-run homer to center field. The Bulls answered back and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning from an RBI double, and a fielding error by the short stop which allowed the tying run to score.
Akron re-gained the lead in the top of the seventh inning when sophomore 1B Laura Lakins (Akron, Ohio) hit a sacrifice fly out to left field, allowing junior OF Taylor Kirian (New Riegel, Ohio) to score, which put the Zips up, 3-2.
Freshman lefty Lexie Handley struck out five batters and walked one while pitching all seven innings.
IN THE MAC STATS
As of April 10, Akron leads all Mid-American Conference teams in sacrifice bunts (51), stolen bases (97), stealing attempts (132). Redshirt junior CF Ashley Sims leads all players in the Mid-American Conference in stolen bases (34). In the circle, freshman Lexie Handley is first in innings pitched (155.1), third in wins (13), and third in strikeouts (139).
FRUIN HITS HOME RUN MILESTONE
With her home run in the 3-2 win at Buffalo, senior OF Savannah Fruin recorded her 31st career home run. She moved into a second-place outright on Akon's all-time career list. Kelli Metzger (1996-99) is the career leader with 57 home runs.
HEAD COACH JULIE JONES
In her 11th season at Akron, head coach Julie Jones has mentored 17 All-MAC honorees, five NCAA All-Mideast Region selections, 28 Academic All-MAC student-athletes, eight Academic All-District selections, and two Academic All-Americans, the 2014 MAC Pitcher of the Year, and the 2016 prestigious MAC Nan Harvey award winner. Her complete bio is on page 6.
With the 1-0 shutout of Fort Wayne in the final game of the Black & Gold Tournament, Jones recorded her 250th win at Akron.
The 2-0 victory at Youngstown State was the 500th victory of Jones' career.
Jones is Akron's all-time leader for games coached (554) and ranks second in coaching wins (262). She needs just FIVE WINS for 100 in MAC play.
UP NEXT
Akron hosts Dayton in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at Lee R. Jackson Field. ESPN3 will televise the game online.
