The University of Akron Athletics
Four Zips Named To 2018 Academic All-MAC Team
June 04 | Softball, Academics
Follow Akron Softball on Facebook and Twitter
Follow Coach Jones on Twitter
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Four members of the University of Akron's softball team were named to the 2018 Mid-American Conference Academic All-MAC team, the league office announced on Monday.
Â
The four Zips honored were senior Cassie Gillespie (Sylvania, Ohio), redshirt freshman Sydney Jascoe (Commerce, Mich.), junior Laura Lakins (Akron, Ohio), and redshirt junior Kooper Vertz (Dilsboro, Ind.).
Â
Gillespie received the award for the third consecutive year, while Jascoe, Lakins, and Vertz were first time recipients.
Â
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport.
Â
In total, 91 student-athletes were named to the 2018 squad from all 12 members of the Mid-American Conference.
Â
In her final season with the Zips, Gillespie went on to have a career-year at the plate in 2018. The senior captain ended the season as the Zips top hitter in the lineup recording a career-high .306 batting average. Gillespie set a career-high not only in average, but in slugging percentage (.414), on-base percentage (.410), hits (34), home runs (3), RBI (16), walks (21), stolen bases (10), and tied a career-high in runs scored (13).
Â
After utilizing her redshirt season in 2017, Jascoe made an immediate impact in 2018 for the Zips. Akron's starting shortstop earned a .306/.462/.335 slash line as the Zips lead-off hitter in the lineup. Jascoe tallied a team-high 44 hits, tied for a team-best 11 doubles, hit four home runs, drove in 10 RBI, scored 19 runs, and drew five walks. When leading off the game or an inning, Jascoe hit .352, posted a .314 batting average with the bases empty, and .300 average with runners in scoring position.
Â
In 48 games and 48 starts, Lakins recorded .188/.222/.265 slash line courtesy of 22 hits, 14 RBI, 10 walks, four doubles, and 26 total bases.
Â
Inside the circle, Vertz made 30 appearances and 15 starts. In 85.0 innings pitched, Vertz pitched two complete games, gave up 143 hits, 118 runs, 42 strikeouts, 41 walks, and registered an 8.24 ERA.
Â
Akron Softball 2018 Academic All-MAC Selections
Cassie Gillespie, Senior, 3.927, Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy
Sydney Jascoe, R-Freshman, 3.570, Sport Management
Laura Lakins, Junior, 3.819, AYA – Integrated Language Arts
Kooper Vertz, R-Junior, 3.414, Education
Â
Â
Follow Coach Jones on Twitter
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Four members of the University of Akron's softball team were named to the 2018 Mid-American Conference Academic All-MAC team, the league office announced on Monday.
Â
The four Zips honored were senior Cassie Gillespie (Sylvania, Ohio), redshirt freshman Sydney Jascoe (Commerce, Mich.), junior Laura Lakins (Akron, Ohio), and redshirt junior Kooper Vertz (Dilsboro, Ind.).
Â
Gillespie received the award for the third consecutive year, while Jascoe, Lakins, and Vertz were first time recipients.
Â
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport.
Â
In total, 91 student-athletes were named to the 2018 squad from all 12 members of the Mid-American Conference.
Â
In her final season with the Zips, Gillespie went on to have a career-year at the plate in 2018. The senior captain ended the season as the Zips top hitter in the lineup recording a career-high .306 batting average. Gillespie set a career-high not only in average, but in slugging percentage (.414), on-base percentage (.410), hits (34), home runs (3), RBI (16), walks (21), stolen bases (10), and tied a career-high in runs scored (13).
Â
After utilizing her redshirt season in 2017, Jascoe made an immediate impact in 2018 for the Zips. Akron's starting shortstop earned a .306/.462/.335 slash line as the Zips lead-off hitter in the lineup. Jascoe tallied a team-high 44 hits, tied for a team-best 11 doubles, hit four home runs, drove in 10 RBI, scored 19 runs, and drew five walks. When leading off the game or an inning, Jascoe hit .352, posted a .314 batting average with the bases empty, and .300 average with runners in scoring position.
Â
In 48 games and 48 starts, Lakins recorded .188/.222/.265 slash line courtesy of 22 hits, 14 RBI, 10 walks, four doubles, and 26 total bases.
Â
Inside the circle, Vertz made 30 appearances and 15 starts. In 85.0 innings pitched, Vertz pitched two complete games, gave up 143 hits, 118 runs, 42 strikeouts, 41 walks, and registered an 8.24 ERA.
Â
Akron Softball 2018 Academic All-MAC Selections
Cassie Gillespie, Senior, 3.927, Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy
Sydney Jascoe, R-Freshman, 3.570, Sport Management
Laura Lakins, Junior, 3.819, AYA – Integrated Language Arts
Kooper Vertz, R-Junior, 3.414, Education
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
1B
/ Softball
3B/C
/ Softball
1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball2026 Akron Zips Softball vs. Toledo (Doubleheader)
Saturday, April 04
2026 Akron Zips Softball vs. Toledo (Game 2)
Saturday, April 04
2026 Akron Zips Softball vs. Toledo (Game 1)
Friday, April 03
2026 Akron Zips Softball vs. Miami (Doubleheader)
Saturday, March 21
