The Zips Offense Shines as Akron Softball Secures Its First Win Of 2020

Saturday, February 8

Homewood, Ala.

10 AM (11 AM ET)

University of Akron

1-2

Winthrop University

2-1

Akron

Winthrop

Photo by: Mike Slade

The Zips Offense Shines as Akron Softball Secures Its First Win Of 2020

February 08 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

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Game One vs. Winthrop: Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
Game Two vs. Samford: Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The long ball powered the Akron softball team to its first victory of the 2020 season as three home runs helped defeat Winthrop, 11-3, on day two of the Samford tournament at the Samford Softball Field.

The Zips picked up their first win as they powered past Winthrop, 11-3, and scored 11 unanswered runs from the third inning on in a shortened six-inning contest. The W signified Meaggan Pettipiece's first victory as head coach of the Zips program.

"It was great to have the success at the plate today with so many contributing. At this point our team is learning and growing every time they are on the field. Figuring out how to win and finish a game, even after success, is what we are working on," said Pettipiece. "It won't change over night but today, after a tough loss, I believe in this team more then ever"

Junior Kayla Wulf (Maumee, Ohio), redshirt junior Sydney Jascoe (Commerce, Mich.), freshmen Bailey Drapola (Brookfield, Ohio) and senior Macky Mitchiner (Riverside, Calif.) each recorded a multi-hit game going a combined 9-for-17, five RBI, seven runs scored, a double, and two home runs.

The trio of Jascoe, Wulf, and freshman Laurel Devoe (North Canton, Ohio) all homered in the sixth and helped lead the Zips to a game-high five runs in the inning.

Senior Jessie Holzman (Medina, Ohio) got Akron on the board in the third inning as the first baseman tallied her third RBI of the season on a double to right-center. That RBI sparked the Zips offense that scored three runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth, and the big five-run sixth.

Inside the circle, senior Adrian Smith (St. Clairsville, Ohio) tossed her second straight complete game. The righty threw six innings, allowed four hits, and gave up three runs while striking out three.

Game two went to Samford, 10-9.

Trailing by one run to the Bulldogs and down to their last at-bats of the game, the Zips had an opportunity to tie the ball game up at 10 with two outs. Freshman Hailey Eckelberry (Medina, Ohio) singled up the middle into centerfield. Wulf, who was on second base, rounded third and headed home. A bang-bang play at the plate went in the favor of the Bulldogs as Wulf was called out at the plate to end the game.

Akron's offense did not stop in game one as the Zips' success in the batter's box flowed into their second game of the day. Wulf swung a hot bat for UA going 3-for-3 with an RBI, double, three runs scored, and a home run in her second consecutive contest. Drapola garnered the first three-hit game of her young Akron career posting three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored. Jascoe picked up two more hits, an RBI, double, and scored a run.

The Zips built a 9-3 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning courtesy of three runs in the fourth and fifth inning and an additional two in the top half of the sixth.

However, a seven-run outburst for Samford in the bottom of the sixth inning pushed the Bulldogs past the Zips, 10-9.

Four pitchers saw action inside the circle for Akron against the Bulldogs. Redshirt sophomore Alexa Difeo (Akron, Ohio) earned the first start of her career, went two innings gave up six hits and three runs. Redshirt freshman Lauren Frigyes (Paris, Ohio) made her first appearance for the Zips, worked three innings and surrendered three runs on two hits.

Akron closes out play at the Samford Tournament on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 1:30 p.m. (2:30 ET), against tournament host, Samford.