Buffalo Edges Akron in Home Opener

Friday, March 19

Akron, Ohio

3:00 PM

University of Akron

1-12, 1-0

Buffalo

3-11, 1-0

Buffalo

Akron

March 19 | Softball

Box Score

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BOXSCORE (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron women's softball team dropped a 4-0 decision to Buffalo (3-11, 1-0 MAC) in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools on Friday, March 19 at Lee R. Jackson Field.

The tilt marked the home debut of head coach Meaggan Pettipiece as the Zips (1-12, 0-1 MAC) took to its home diamond for the first time since registering 12-3 victory over Robert Morris on April 23, 2019.

Each team recorded five hits in the affair with Buffalo pushing across the game's first run with a single tally in the fourth inning and three more in the six to secure the victory.

Redshirt freshman C Laurel DeVoe (North Canton, Ohio) led the Zips' offensive production in the contest going 2-for-3 at the plate, while three other Akron players added one hit apiece.

Freshman P Olivia Stefanoni (Hudson, Ohio) struck out eight Buffalo batters over 4.0 innings in the circle, while Ally Marcano tossed a complete-game to earn the win for the Bulls.

Stefanoni was able to garner back-to-back strikeouts to close out the first inning after Buffalo advanced a pair of runners into scoring position.

The Bulls again moved a runner into scoring position in the third inning before Stefanoni posted an inning-ending strikeout to thwart the threat.

The Zips mounted a scoring threat in the bottom half of the frame as DeVoe opened the inning with a single before moving to second base on a two-out single from sophomore DP Teagan Rice (Louisville, Ohio). A throwing error allowed redshirt freshman CF Molly McChesney (Verona, Wis.) to reach to load the bases. A pop out ended the scoring opportunity for Akron.

A two-out RBI single in the top of the fourth inning provided the Bulls a 1-0 advantage, before Buffalo added three runs in the sixth to go ahead 4-0.

McChesney created some offense for the Zips in the bottom of the sixth leading off with an infield single before stealing second base. She then advanced to third base on fly out to right field. Unfortunately, Akron was unable to capitalize as Marcano struck out the final batter in the frame to end the threat.

The Zips continue their four-game series with Buffalo with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 20, with first pitch in game one slated for 1 p.m. at Lee R. Jackson Field.