Zips Sweep Season Opening Doubleheader

Saturday, March 6

Akron, Ohio

12 PM

University of Akron

1-0

Olivet

0-1

OLIVET

AKRON

March 06 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Zips Sweep Season Opening Doubleheader
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Game 1 Box Score PDF | Game 2 Box Score PDF

AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips baseball team continued its reboot under head coach Chris Sabo, opening the 2021 season with a sweep against Olivet College on Saturday by scores of 13-0 and 9-1 at Skeeles Field.

The Zips tossed a one-hit shutout to open the season as three pitchers combined for the effort with junior Conor Steinbaugh (Georgetown, Ill.) securing the win. Steinbaugh faced the minimum number of batters while hurling five hitless innings and collecting seven strikeouts.

Junior Jackson Hickert (Hudson, Ohio) and senior Mark Meyer (Cincinnati, Ohio) finished the game as Hickert struck out eight and limited the Comets to one hit in three innings of work. Meyer had the ball in the ninth and struck out the side to solidify the win.

After Steinbaugh hurled a first pitch strike and proceeded to strike out the side in the first inning, junior Roy Thurman (Indianapolis, Ind.) recorded the Zips' first hit, bunting for a base hit in the leadoff position. Akron did not score until the second inning when junior Cameron Tilly (Canberra, Australia ) doubled down the leftfield line and eventually scored on fielder's choice by freshman Kaito Hara (Houston, Texas), who recorded the RBI.

Akron added three runs in the fourth inning and one run in the fifth before unleashing with seven runs in the sixth inning. Five of those runs came with two outs as junior Bryant Shellenbarger (Mount Vernon, Ohio) drove in a pair of runs with a double to left centerfield.

The Zips loaded the bases with two outs, and with one swing of the bat, Tilly cleared them by sending the ball over the leftfield fence. The grand slam marked the first homerun hit at Skeeles Field and first this season. The following inning, the Zips added their final run.

In the nightcap, Akron crossed the plate in the first inning for a 1-0 advantage after Justin Barr belted a triple to right field in the Zips' second plate appearance. Barr scored on a sacrifice flyout by junior Zac Granger (Elmira, N.Y.). Akron added three runs in the second inning and five in the third as graduate John Creel (Huntersville, N.C.) earned the Zips second win of the day. Creel threw four innings, allowing one run on one hit, an error, five walks and six strikeouts – the second game was shortened to seven innings due to loss of daylight.

On the day, eight Zips delivered multiple hit performances with six extra-base hits which included four doubles, a triple and a grand slam.

Akron has a big week ahead, hosting three 9-inningh contests next week as Wittenbrg, Salem and Mercyhurst are scheduled to visit Skeeles Field. Akron opens the week on Wednesday, March 10 Akron hosts Wittenberg at 3 p.m., and the following day, the Zips welcome Salem at 2 p.m. Akron wraps-up the week against Mercyhurst on Sunday, March 14 at Noon.