Akron Falls in MAC Opener, 9-2

Friday, March 19

Akron, Ohio

3 PM

University of Akron

5-2, 0-1

Eastern Michigan

5-5, 1-0

Eastern Michigan

AKRON

March 20 | Baseball

Box Score

Akron Falls in MAC Opener, 9-2
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GAME COVERAGE
Friday, March 19 vs. Eastern Michigan | 3 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Stream
Saturday, March 20 vs. Eastern Michigan | Noon | Live Stats | Live Stream
Saturday, March 20 vs. Eastern Michigan | 3 p.m. | Live Stats | Live Stream
Sunday, March 21 vs. Eastern Michigan | 11 a.m. | Live Stats | Live Stream

Box Score PDF

AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips baseball team could not overcome a seven-run surge in the final three innings by Eastern Michigan as the Eagles triumphed 9-2, handing the Zips their first Mid-American Conference setback of the season on Friday at Skeeles Field.

The Zips and the Eagles battled to a 2-2 stalemate through six complete innings, but the EMU offense exploded for two runs in the seventh, three in the eighth and two in the ninth to secure the MAC opener. The two teams will lineup for a doubleheader on Saturday and finish the four-game series on Sunday with a second 9-inning contest.

The Zips received a strong pitching performance from starting pitcher junior Conor Steinbaugh (Georgetown, Ill.). In 7.1 innings of work, Steinbaugh limited the visiting Eagles to just two runs on two hits through six complete innings, which consisted of a pair of EMU homeruns. In the seventh inning, the Eagles plated two runs on a leadoff double and a RBI single while the second run was unearned following a pair of Akron miscues.

Eastern Michigan issued back-to-back doubles for a run to start the eighth inning and Steinbaugh was relived of his duties as junior Matthew Radtka (Uniontown, Ohio) came on in relief. Steinbaugh's was credited with another run after EMU issued their third homerun of the game, a two-run shot over the center field wall. Steinbaugh finished the day with 11 strikeouts with no walks in 29 batter faced. He allowed six hits and four of the six runs allowed were earned.

Offensively, Akron scored two runs on six hits including a leadoff home run to start the scoring by junior Roy Thurman (Indianapolis, Ind.). Thurman got behind in the count early with one ball and two strikes and battled his way back to a full count. Thurman sent the 3-2 pitch over the left center field fence for a 1-0 Akron advantage. Junior Justin Barr (Pensacola, Fla.) followed with a single to right, but did not score. Thurman finished the day 1-of-4 from the plate with an RBI and one run scored, while Barr led the Zips with a 2-of-4 showing.

The Zips scored their second run in the fourth inning after EMU took a 2-1 advantage in the top half of the inning. Graduate Josh Nowak (Chicago, Ill.) scored after working the count for a free pass. Junior Cameron Tilly (Canberra, Australia) moved Nowak into scoring position with a single up the middle. With runners on first and second, junior Bradley Goulet (Cottage Grove, Minn.) sent an RBI single through the left side to score Nowak.

The Zips and the Eagles will play a pair of 7-inning games on Saturday, March 20 at Skeeles Field. First pitch is scheduled for Noon. Fans can follow the action on Zips Digital Network Live Stream or via live stats on GoZips.com