The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Niagara
Zips' Softball Sweeps Twinbill at Niagara
April 26 | Softball
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NIAGARA, N.Y.-- The Akron softball team swept a pair of non-conference games at Niagara on Wednesday afternoon at the Niagara Softball Field.
The Zips (23-25 overall) won the first game, 3-1, and the nightcap, 4-2. The Purple Eagles fell to 15-21 overall.
"I am pleased to get two mid-week wins," said UA head coach Julie Jones. "We didn't pitch particularly well in game one but played well enough to win. Savannah (Fruin) came up big again with two RBI, and that was really all we needed. In game two, Anna (Tarpley) hit another blast to left, and Nicole (Best) pitched a solid game for the win."
In the first game, Niagara scored a run in the bottom of the first. The teams did not score in the next four innings.
In the top of the sixth, Akron went ahead, 2-1, as senior OF Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) smacked a two-RBI double to right field, scoring junior OF Ashley Sims (Brookville, Fla.), who singled, and senior C Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio), who reached on an error.
Senior 2B Anna Tarpley (Jacksonville, Fla.) scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh after reaching on an error.
Freshman lefty Lexie Handley (Mogadore, Ohio) started the game and pitched 3.0 innings. She struck out three and walked two. Junior RHP Kooper Vertz (Dilsboro, Ind.) came in relief and picked up her fourth win. She threw 4.0 innings, walking two.
In the nightcap, the Zips jumped on the scoreboard first. In the top of the second, sophomore 1B Laura Lakins (Akron Ohio) singled to left field, bringing home freshman pinch runner Madison Carter (Newnan, Ga.).
In the top of the fourth, UA added two runs as Tarpley knocked a two-run home run over the left field fence, scoring junior OF Taylor Kirian (New Riegel, Ohio), who reached on a double to left field.
In the bottom of the inning, Niagara's lead-off batter 2B Kendall Watkins knocked in a home run.
The Purple Eagles scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth, coming within one, 3-2.
The Zips scored their final run in the top of the sixth as Tarpley doubled to left field, scoring sophomore DP Kelly Hysong (Beach City, Ohio), who singled up the middle.
Junior RHP Nicole Best (Broadview Heights, Ohio) went the distance for her second win. She struck out two and walked four.
Akron resumes Mid-American Conference play on Friday, April 28, with a single game at Bowling Green at 3 p.m.
