The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Downs Western Michigan in Series Opener, 7-2
April 30 | Softball
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BOXSCORE (PDF)
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KALAMAZOO, Mich. - On the strength of a seven-run fifth inning, the University of Akron softball team opened its Mid-American Conference series at Western Michigan (10-23, 6-13 MAC) with a 7-2 triumph past the Broncos on Friday, April 30.
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A trio of two-hit performances from redshirt freshman C Laurel DeVoe (North Canton, Ohio), senior SS Samantha Malik (Orlando, Fla.) and freshman 1B Atlantis Taufa (Fullerton, Calif.) highlighted the offensive effort for the Zips (6-33, 5-20 MAC), while freshman Olivia Stefanoni (Hudson, Ohio) continued her clutch hitting with two-run single to join DeVoe with a pair of RBIs on the afternoon.
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Junior P Olivia Otani (Canton, Ohio) garnered the victory in relief allowing no runs on two hits over 4.2 innings, while striking out a pair. Redshirt sophomore P Lexie Petrof (Ligonier, Pa.), who earned the start for the Zips, fanned five Western Michigan batters in 2.1 innings in the circle.
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The Broncos assumed the early advantage in the affair scoring singles runs in the second and third innings, respectively.
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Taufa opened the top of the fifth inning with a lead-off single before freshman Sheridon Wilber (Rock Creek, Ohio) pinch ran for her and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from redshirt freshman LF Shelby Fortune (Grafton, Ohio).
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Malik followed delivering an RBI double. Redshirt junior Lauren Holdsworth (Howell, Mich.) walked before redshirt freshman CF Molly McChesney (Verona, Wis.) pinch ran and along with Malik moved up a base on a single through the left side by freshman 2B Madison Dudek (Uniontown, Ohio) to load the bases. A fielding error by the Broncos allowed Akron to square the game at two.
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DeVoe connected on a two-run single to center field to help the Zips assume a 4-2 lead.
Another fielding error by Western Michigan reloaded the bases for Stefanoni, who singled to center field to plate DeVoe and freshman 3B Kalli Macintosh-Houlder (Mississauga, Ontario). An RBI ground out from Wilber gave Akron the final 7-2 advantage.
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The Zips return to action on Saturday, May 1, as Akron will play a doubleheader at Western Michigan starting at 1 p.m.
Follow Coach Pettipiece on Twitter
Â
BOXSCORE (PDF)
Â
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - On the strength of a seven-run fifth inning, the University of Akron softball team opened its Mid-American Conference series at Western Michigan (10-23, 6-13 MAC) with a 7-2 triumph past the Broncos on Friday, April 30.
Â
A trio of two-hit performances from redshirt freshman C Laurel DeVoe (North Canton, Ohio), senior SS Samantha Malik (Orlando, Fla.) and freshman 1B Atlantis Taufa (Fullerton, Calif.) highlighted the offensive effort for the Zips (6-33, 5-20 MAC), while freshman Olivia Stefanoni (Hudson, Ohio) continued her clutch hitting with two-run single to join DeVoe with a pair of RBIs on the afternoon.
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Junior P Olivia Otani (Canton, Ohio) garnered the victory in relief allowing no runs on two hits over 4.2 innings, while striking out a pair. Redshirt sophomore P Lexie Petrof (Ligonier, Pa.), who earned the start for the Zips, fanned five Western Michigan batters in 2.1 innings in the circle.
Â
The Broncos assumed the early advantage in the affair scoring singles runs in the second and third innings, respectively.
Â
Taufa opened the top of the fifth inning with a lead-off single before freshman Sheridon Wilber (Rock Creek, Ohio) pinch ran for her and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from redshirt freshman LF Shelby Fortune (Grafton, Ohio).
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Malik followed delivering an RBI double. Redshirt junior Lauren Holdsworth (Howell, Mich.) walked before redshirt freshman CF Molly McChesney (Verona, Wis.) pinch ran and along with Malik moved up a base on a single through the left side by freshman 2B Madison Dudek (Uniontown, Ohio) to load the bases. A fielding error by the Broncos allowed Akron to square the game at two.
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DeVoe connected on a two-run single to center field to help the Zips assume a 4-2 lead.
Another fielding error by Western Michigan reloaded the bases for Stefanoni, who singled to center field to plate DeVoe and freshman 3B Kalli Macintosh-Houlder (Mississauga, Ontario). An RBI ground out from Wilber gave Akron the final 7-2 advantage.
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The Zips return to action on Saturday, May 1, as Akron will play a doubleheader at Western Michigan starting at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Otani, Olivia (2-6)
L: Godwin (2-2)

Batting:
2B: DeVoe, Laurel 1 ; Taufa, Atlantis 1 ; Malik, Samantha 2
RBI: Macintosh-Houlder, Kalli 1 ; DeVoe, Laurel 2 ; Stefanoni, Olivia 2 ; Wilber, Sheridon 1 ; Malik, Samantha 1
SH: Fortune, Shelby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McChesney, Molly 1 ; Dudek, Madison 1 ; Macintosh-Houlder, Kalli 1 ; DeVoe, Laurel 1 ; Stevens, Tiffany 1 ; Wilber, Sheridon 1 ; Malik, Samantha 1
SB: McChesney, Molly 1
CS: DeVoe, Laurel 1
HBP: Macintosh-Houlder, Kalli 1
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Batting:
3B: Farrish 1
RBI: Farrish 1 ; Kramer 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Garey 1 ; Farrish 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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