Akron Sweeps Doubleheader and Northern Illinois Series

Saturday, April 29

DeKalb, IL

NOON

University of Akron

16-27, 0

Northern Illinois

7-34, 0

AKRON

NIU

Akron Sweeps Doubleheader and Northern Illinois Series

April 29 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

DEKALB, Ill. –Akron baseball recorded its first series sweep since the program returned in 2020 as the Zips swept a doubleheader at Northern Illinois by scores of 11-9 and 8-4 on Saturday, posting a 3-0 series ledger at Owens Park.

Akron (17-27, 9-15 MAC) captured its 17^th victory of the season, marking the most wins since the return. In addition, junior OF Jack Firestone (Zionsville, Ind.) set Akron's single season homerun record, launching his 15^th bomb of the season and eclipsing the program record set in 1999 by Mike Doerbecker.

The Zips came from behind in both games to secure the series sweep as junior IF Max Bowman (Gahanna, Ohio) led the offensive attack for the day with a 3-of-4 performance at the plate, including two homeruns and a double for three RBI and four runs scored with five walks.

Graduate 3B Nick Arrivo (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Firestone pounded out four hits each as both players belted homeruns. Arrivo was 4-of-9 a double and two RBI with two runs scored while, Firestone added a 4-of-11 effort with a triple and six RBI with one run scored. Firestone blasted a three-run homerun in the third inning of game one to give the Zips a 4-3 advantage.

In addition, junior CF Jack Poist (Hoover, ala.) registered a 3-of-8 performance with four runs scored and a RBI. Sophomore C Andrew Horvath (Aurora, Ohio) also added a homerun as one of his two hits on the day.

On the mound, freshman RP Emmett Gillies (Columbus, Ohio) earned the game one win, hurling four innings and allowing six hits and four runs with five strikeouts and two walks. In game two, junior RP Yassir Kahook (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) earned the win with 3.1 innings pitched, limiting the Huskies to one run on two hits.

Up Next
The Akron Zips will be back in action on Friday through Sunday, May 5-7 in Oxford, Ohio against the Miami RedHawks.