Akron Earns Split in Wagon Wheel Doubleheader with Rival Kent State

Friday, March 24

Akron, Ohio

1:00 PM

University of Akron

14-9, 2-1

Kent State

6-17, 1-2

Kent State

Akron

Akron Earns Split in Wagon Wheel Doubleheader with Rival Kent State

March 24 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

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

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron softball team earned a split of its Mid-American Conference doubleheader with rival Kent State (7-17, 2-2 MAC) on Friday, March 24 at Lee R. Jackson Field.

The Zips (14-10, 2-2 MAC) garnered a 3-0 triumph in the opener before the Golden Flashes withstood a late Akron rally to capture the nightcap, 9-5.

"We got a really well-pitched game in the opener and I though we really competed at the plate all day," Akron head coach Craig Nicholson commented. "Our defense let us down a little in game two. We just gave them too many extra opportunities and their offense took advantage."

The Zips parlayed a three-run second inning into a 3-0 triumph past Kent State in the opener. The big blow in the frame was a two-out RBI single from redshirt junior Molly McChesney (Verona, Wis.) to drive in freshman Abigail Scheller (North Hills, Pa.) and junior Madison Dudek (Uniontown, Ohio) with what proved to be the game-winning runs. A delayed double steal by McChesney and freshman Brooke Sivek (Boerne, Texas) capped the scoring in the affair.

Freshman P Haley Croyle (Hubbard, Ohio) tossed a complete-game three-hit gem for the Zips striking six against zero walks to earn her seventh victory of the season. Akron benefited from singles from six different players in the contest.

Akron jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in game two before the Golden Flashes went ahead to stay with a pair of runs in the third inning.

McChesney continued her strong day with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning before Sivek laced a bases-loaded two-out RBI single through the left side with a 3-2 count in the bottom of the second inning.

Kent State stretched its advantage to 9-2 after five innings before the Zips erupted for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to account for the 9-5 final score.

Junior Laurel DeVoe (North Canton, Ohio) struck a two-run RBI double down the line in left field before Dudek capped the scoring in the affair with an RBI base knock to right field.

DeVoe and McChesney finished the contest with two hits apiece for Akron, while junior Olivia Stefanoni (Hudson, Ohio) struck out a pair in 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

UP NEXT:
Akron's scheduled contest with Kent State on Saturday, March 25, has been postponed with high winds and rain forecasted. The series finale will now take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, at 1 p.m. at Lee R. Jackson Field. By virtue of the split, the winner of Sunday's tilt will earn the full point in the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge.