Youngstown State Takes Twinbill from Akron

Sunday, March 7

Youngstown, Ohio

1:00 PM

University of Akron

1-6

Youngstown State

5-2

Akron

Youngstown State

March 07 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

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GAME ONE BOXSCORE (PDF) | GAME TWO BOXSCORE (PDF)

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The University of Akron women's softball team came up short in a pair of contests on Sunday, March 7, as Youngstown State edges the Zips, 9-5 and 4-2.

"I know the outcome of this series wasn't what we wanted or expected, but we had a lot of growth as a team and so many positives to build from," Akron head coach Meaggan Pettipiece commented. "And once again learning what to focus on as a team to get better every game."

The Zips took a three-run lead in the opener plating a trio of runs in the first inning on the strength of sacrifice fly from redshirt junior DP Lauren Holdsworth (Howell, Mich.) and a two-run, two-out single from freshman P Olivia Stefanoni (Hudson, Ohio).

Youngstown State answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to cut Akron's lead to 3-2.

The Zips pushed their lead back to 2, 4-2, in the top of the second inning after freshman OF Anna Aquino (Medina, Ohio) earned a one-out walk before stealing second base. Redshirt freshman OF Molly McChesney (Verona, Wis.) then delivered an RBI single to center field on a 3-2 count to drive in Aquino.

The Penguins knotted the score at four in the bottom of the third inning with a two-run double, before assuming an 8-4 lead with a four-run effort in the fourth.

Akron pushed a pair of runners into scoring position with one out in the top of the sixth inning, before a sacrifice bunt from McChesney scored redshirt freshman OF Jaiden Bryant (Hilliard, Ohio), who collected a one-out single before swiping second base and advancing to third on a throwing error.

Youngstown State added an insurance tally in the bottom of the frame to seal the 9-5 victory.

Eight different Akron players registered a hit in the contest, while Stefanoni struck out four in the circle for the Zips.

In the nightcap, the Penguins cracked the scoring column first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning, before an RBI groundout from senior INF Jessie Holzman (Medina, Ohio) plated redshirt freshman INF Maggie Sons (Dalzell, Ill.) in the top of the fourth.

Youngstown State extended its lead to 4-1 with a pair of tallies in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Bryant capped the Zips' scoring on the day belting an 0-1 offering over the wall in center field for her first home run of the season in the seventh inning.

Redshirt junior P Alexa DiFeo (Akron, Ohio) struck out four in a complete-game effort for Akron in the circle.

Akron is slated to travel to Johnson City, Tenn., to compete at the East Tennessee State Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14. The Zips will battle Bradley and the host Buccaneers at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively, on Saturday, March 13.