The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Kent State
Zips' Softball Drops 7-3 Decision to Kent State
April 21 | Softball
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AKRON, Ohio- The Akron softball team dropped a 7-3 decision to rival Kent State in Mid-American Conference action on Friday afternoon at Lee R. Jackson Field.
The Zips fell to 20-24 overall and 8-8 in MAC play, while the Golden Flashes improved to 8-23 overall and 8-8 in the league.
The game was also the first of the three-game series in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge. The series winner will earn one point in the 14-sport contest between the two rivals. Right now, Akron leads 5.5 to 3.5.
Akron jumped on the scoreboard first with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Junior OF Taylor Kirian (New Riegel, Ohio) reached on a fielder's choice, scoring senior C Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio), who bunted, and freshman PR Madison Carter (Newnan, Ga.). Senior 2B Anna Tarpley (Jacksonville, Fla.) singled down the right field line, scoring Kirian.
The Flashes responded by scoring four runs in the top of the fifth on no hits and three errors. KSU added two runs in the sixth. A solo home run in the top of the seventh closed out the scoring in the 7-3 decision.
Freshman lefty Lexie Handley (Mogadore, Ohio) took the loss for the Zips. Handley (16-14 overall) struck out four and walked six in 5.1 innings of action. Junior RHP Kooper Vertz (Dilsboro, Ind.) came in relief, fanning one and walking three.
Wagon Wheel Challenge action continues on Saturday, April 22 at Lee R. Jackson Field as the teams will play a doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m. The Senior Class will be honored before the game.
