Akron Takes the Diamond at The Raleigh Times Tournament

Friday, February 20

Raleigh, NC

10:30 AM

University of Akron

Providence

Akron Takes the Diamond at The Raleigh Times Tournament

February 19 | Softball

The Akron Zips are back on the diamond at the Raleigh Times Tournament hosted by NC State on Friday through Sunday, Feb. 20-22. The Zips will open the tournament with Providence and Illinois on Friday, Illinois and NC State on Saturday and NC State on Sunday. Both games against NC State will be shown on ESPN+.

HOW TO FOLLOW
GM1: Feb. 20 vs Providence | 10:30 AM | Live Stats
GM2: Feb. 20 vs Illinois | 1:00 PM | Live Stats
GM3: Feb. 21 vs Illinois | 9:30 AM |Live Stats
GM4: Feb. 21 vs NC State | 2:30 PM | Live Stats | Live Video - https://tinyurl.com/4ck4tn3f
GM5: Feb. 22 vs NC State |11:30 PM | Live Stats| Live Video - https://tinyurl.com/yh9wxfj9

ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Under fourth-year head coach Craig Nicholson, Akron enters the 30th season of intercollegiate competition in 2026. The Zips return 17 players from the 2025 squad and added six newcomers to the 2026 roster. Akron returns four All-MAC honorees. Earning First Team All-MAC accolades were outfielder Meagan Lee and infielder Sophia Wygast, while redshirt pitcher Madie Jamrog and outfielder Andrea Day were named to the All-MAC Freshman Team.

Akron opened the season 4-7 and riding a three-game winning streak, defeating UConn, Western Carolina and Charleston Southern. Akron owns a .243 team batting average, scoring 48 runs in 11 games with 65 hits, 13 extra-base hits and six homeruns. The Zips have six players hitting .300 or better including, Meagan Lee (.314, 11 of 35, 3 RBI), Andrea Day (.320, 8 of 25, 3 RBI), Sydney Selker (.304, 7 of 23, 9 RBI), McKayla McGee (.308, 4 of 13, 5 RBI), Kylie Bailey (.333, 3 of 9, 4 RBI) and Sammy Lehnherr (.333, 1 of 3, RBI).

Lee leads the team in hits (11) and runs scored (9), while Day follows in hits (8) and Selker leads the squad in extra-base hits with a two homeruns, a double and a triple and a team-high nine RBI.

In the circle, Madie Jamrog leads the pitching staff with six appearances and five starts, She spent 31. 1 innings in the circle, allowing 34 hits and 21 runs, 16 earned with 12 strikeouts (2.68 per game) and 3.57 ERA.

MAC PRESEASON POLL
Zips Softball Picked to Finish Fourth in Preseason MAC Coaches' Poll
The Akron Zips were picked to finish fourth overall in league play in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Coaches' Poll, the MAC announced on Wednesday.

Akron received one first place vote and 93 points overall, while also receiving one vote to win the season finale MAC Tournament. Miami was selected as the overall favorite with eight first place votes (118 pts) and five votes as MAC Tournament Champion.

2026 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll(First Place Votes)
1. Miami – 116 points (8)
2. Ohio – 108 points (1)
3. Ball State – 98 points (2)
4. Akron – 93 points (1)
5. Central Michigan – 77 points
6. Toledo – 72 points
7. Northern Illinois – 71 points
8. Western Michigan – 41 points
9. Buffalo – 40 points
10. Bowling Green – 34 points
11. Massachusetts – 23 points
12. Kent State – 19 points

MAC Tournament Champion: Miami (5), Ohio (5), Akron (1), Ball State (1)