Zips Fall in Extra Innings, Eagles Even Series

Sunday, March 21

Akron, Ohio

11 AM

University of Akron

7-3, 2-2

Eastern Michigan

6-7, 2-2

Eastern Michigan

AKRON

March 21 | Baseball

Box Score

Zips Fall in Extra Innings, Eagles Even Series
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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips fell 8-6 in 11 innings as Eastern Michigan evened the series 2-2 at Skeeles Field on Sunday.

The final game of the four-game series needed extra innings to decide a winner as both teams received big plays in key moments to avoid a lopsided scoring affair. Eastern Michigan plated the first run on three consecutive hits in the second inning. The Eagles (6-7, 2-2 MAC) scored the second run on an Akron miscue. With the bases loaded and no outs, Zips' starting pitcher Taed Heydinger (Bayfield, Colo.) issued a strikeout, and after a flyout to right field, junior Bryant Shellenbarger (Mount Vernon, Ohio) threw the potential third run out at the plate.

The Zips tied game in the bottom of the third inning as Junior Justin Barr (Pensacola, Fla.) sent a 3-1 pitch over the right-center field wall. Next, junior Zac Granger (Elmira, N.Y.) walked on four straight pitches and senior Connor Regan (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) sent him to third base on a single to left field. Akron plated the tying run as graduate Josh Nowak (Chicago, Ill.) grounded into a double play. In the following inning, Akron loaded the bases with two outs, but came up empty in the runs column.

In the top of the fifth inning, Eastern Michigan reclaimed the lead, 3-2, as Taylor Hopkins rounded the bases on a deep shot over right field. The lead didn't last long as Akron tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior Jerry Reinhart (Batavia, N.Y.) opened the frame with a single to centerfield, and Shellenbarger blasted and RBI game-tying double down the left field line.

With game tied 3-3, the Zips misplayed a ball in left field, allowing EMU to score from first base and placing the batter on third. A sacrifice fly plated the second run of the inning for the Eagles. In the middle of the eighth inning EMU led 5-3.

Akron immediately responded as junior Cameron Tilly (Canberra, Australia) drew a walk to open the inning and Reinhart was hit by a pitch. After a pitching change, junior Roy Thurman (Indianapolis, Ind.) walked to load the bases setting up a game-tying two RBI double by Barr.

EMU failed at a safety squeeze attempt for the lead in the top of the ninth which allowed junior Matthew Radtka (Uniontown, Ohio) to issue a strikeout and give the Zips the opportunity for the walk-off victory. Senior Connor Regan (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) reached base on an error by the shortstop and Tilly was hit by a pitch, but the Zips could not convert the opportunity into runs as the ballgame went into extra innings.

In the first extra frame, junior Bradley Goulet (Cottage Grove, Minn.) hit a 2-2 offering into left field and pinch hitter junior Dominick Trevino (Edmond, Okla.) laid down a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt to move Goulet into scoring position. The Eagles walked Thurman and ended the inning on a 4-6-3 double play.

In the top of the 11^th, Eastern Michigan used two singles and a double to push the go-ahead run across the plate. The Eagles scored the second and third runs of the inning on a bases loaded walk and passed ball.

Akron attempted tied the game or reclaim the lead as the Zips loaded the bases with one out. Granger started the inning with a base on balls and Regan singled to left field. Tilly was hit by a pitch and Reinhart plated a run with a sacrifice flyout to centerfield. Akron was unable to puch anymore runs across the plate.

Barr led the Zips' offense with a 6-for-4 performance which included a homerun and a double with three RBI and a run scored. Shellenbarger followed with a 3-for-4 effort with a double and RBI, while Goulet and Regan sprayed two hits each.

The Zips are scheduled to be back on the diamond at Skeeles Field on Wednesday, March 24 at 3 p.m. against Shawnee State. Fans can follow the action on Zips Digital Network live stream or via live stats on GoZips.com.