Akron Comeback Falls Short, Zips Fall 13-12

Tuesday, April 5

Akron, Ohio

2:00 PM

University of Akron

8-19

Malone University

12-15

Malone

AKRON

April 05 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Akron Comeback Falls Short, Zips Fall 13-12
Follow Akron Baseball on Twitter and Facebook

Box Score PDF | Photo Gallery

Akron, Ohio – Akron baseball plated 12 runs on 15 hits, but a late scoring outburst by Malone contributed 12-of-13 runs over four innings for a one-run win at Skeeles Field on Tuesday.

Akron pounded out eight doubles between six different players, including seniors Tate Wargo (Benld, Ill.) and Jerry Reinhart (Batavia, N.Y.) two extra-base hits each. Wargo led the Zips' offense with a 3-for-6 effort at the plate with three RBI, two doubles and a run scored. Reinhart registered two RBI on a 2-for-4 effort with three runs scored, while freshman Ian Pennington (Springboro, Ohio), freshman Michael Sprockett (West Chester, Ohio) and graduate student Justin Barr (Pensacola, Fla.) collected two hits apiece. Pennington scored a run and Sprockett drove in two runs and scored twice.

Akron jumped out to a 5-1 lead by the end of the fourth inning, thanks to a big showing in the second frame. The Zips scored four runs on five hits in the second inning with four doubles and an RBI single from Barr. Shellenbarger laced the first two-bagger to left centerfield and Sprockett followed, sending his down the left field line. Reinhart and Wargo unleashed back-to-back doubles to center and right fields, respectively. The Zips added a run in the fourth for the 5-1 advantage as Sprockett beat the throw to the plate on a Reinhart fielder's choice.

Malone responded with three runs in the fifth inning as Cameron Martin blasted a three-run homer over the left centerfield fence. Akron answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Malone wasn't finished scoring. The Pioneers put up another crooked number in the sixth as Martin homered again, this time a two-run bomb to right centerfield to tie the game 8-8. Malone added three runs in the seventh and two in the eighth for their largest lead of the game, 13-8. The Zips plated one in the bottom of the eighth and attempted to tie the game, plating three runs in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base. Malon held on for the one-run win.

Akron sent four pitchers to the mound as freshman Sean Perkins (Cambridge, Ohio) was credited with the loss. Perkins was the third pitcher to take the mound when the game was deadlocked at eight runs apiece.

The Zips are scheduled to be back in action at Skeeles Field this weekend, hosting Western Michigan in a four-game series on Friday through Sunday, April 8-10. The series opener (April 8) is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch followed by a pair of noon starts, including a doubleheader on Saturday and the finale on Sunday. Fans can follow Friday's and Saturday's action on Zips Digital Network stream or via live stats on GoZips.com. Sunday's game will not be streamed.