Zips Complete Day One Of EKU Invite Dropping Two Decisions

Saturday, March 7

Richmond, Ky.

1:30 PM

University of Akron

6-16

Eastern Kentucky

18-2

Akron

Eastern Kentucky

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Zips Complete Day One Of EKU Invite Dropping Two Decisions

March 07 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

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Game One vs. EKU: Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
Game Two vs. UIC: Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Akron softball team attempted a comeback effort against Illinois-Chicago but fell just short, 5-3, in game two of the Eastern Kentucky Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

The Zips dropped a pair of decisions on day one as UA lost 8-0 to tournament host, Eastern Kentucky, and 5-3 to UIC in the ensuing contest.

Akron tallied just one hit against the Colonels as senior Macky Mithciner (Riverside, Calif.) singled with two outs in the top of the third inning.

Inside the circle, senior Adrian Smith (St. Clairsville, Ohio) threw her team-high seventh complete game and struck out three.

After falling behind 5-0 through the first four innings against the Flames, Akron began its comeback effort in the fifth inning. Sophomore Morgan Cadmus (Tecumseh, Mich.) singled with two outs and stole second to put herself in scoring position. Freshman Jaiden Bryant (Toledo, Ohio) smacked a double into left field which allowed Cadmus to score on the play and make the game, 5-1.

The Zips biggest inning of the day came in the top of the sixth when UA scored twice. With runners on first and third, freshman Laurel Devoe (North Canton, Ohio) rolled a ball over to the UIC second baseman for the first out of the inning, however, senior Samantha Malik (Orlando, Fla.) took off from third and scored.

Junior Lauren Holdsworth (Howell, Mich.) stepped to the plate, reached on a fielder's choice while senior Madison Carter (Newnan, Ga.) moved on the crack of the bat and crossed home plate for the second run of the inning.

Despite the late game success, Akron's comeback effort came up empty falling, 5-3.

Akron's five hits in the ball game came from four different Zips, including a team-best 2-for-3 performance by Malik. The trio of Bryant, Cadmus, and redshirt junior Sydney Jascoe (Commerce, Mich.) each tallied a hit in the contest.

Sophomore Lexie Petrof (Ligonier, Pa.) and redshirt sophomore Alexa Difeo (Akron, Ohio) shared the duties on the rubber for the Zips. Combined, the pair gave up eight hits and four runs, while Difeo posted a career-high four strikeouts.

The Zips return to the diamond on Sunday, March 8, competing against UIC (9:30 a.m.) and Dayton (12 p.m.).