The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Splits DH, Defeats Illinois 9-2, Falls to NC State 7-3
February 21 | Softball
RALEIGH, NC – The Akron Zips split a doubleheader on the second day of the Raleigh Times Tournament, defeating Illinois 9-2 then falling to host NC State 7-3.
GAME 1 vs ILLINOIS
Akron got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Zips put nine runs on the board to beat the Illinois Fighting Illini 9-2.
The Zips recorded four homeruns as Sophia Wygast registered a 3-run homer and Katie Cantrell blasted a 2-run homer. Haley Glass and Sydney Selker both launched solo homeruns, while Glass went 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored. Lily Sullivan also went 2 for 3 at the plate.
Madie Jamrog (1-4) started in the circle and picked up the win for Akron (5-9). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on nine hits, allowing two walks and striking out four.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Akron picked up a pair of runs in the frame.
The Fighting Illini failed to push any runs across before the Zips offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Akron managed to push across two runs in the inning, which brought the score to 4-0 in favor of the Zips.
Illinois narrowed Akron's lead to 4-1 before the Zips stretched the advantage to 6-1 in the fifth inning.
Akron held the Fighting Illini without a run before their offense got back in action the next inning. Senior Brooke Sivek and freshman Liv Brown each scored a run for the Zips in the inning, bringing the score to 8-1 in favor of Akron.
Illinois got within 8-2 until the Zips scored again in the seventh inning to stretch its lead to 9-2. Glass came across to score the lone run of the inning for Akron and get them on the board. The score remained 9-2 for the rest of the game, as the Zips coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Every Akron starter reached base safely in the win.
» Akron's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Akron took a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Akron hitters hit four home runs in the ballgame.
» The Zips out-hit the Fighting Illini at a 10-9 clip.
» Akron pitchers faced 34 Illinois hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out four.
» The Zips drew four walks from Illinois pitching.
» Wygast led the Zips at the plate, going 1 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs.
GAME 2 vs NC State
The Akron Zips fell to the NC State, 7-3.
The Zips collected five hits as Meagan Lee registered the lone extra-base hit for the Zips. Lee connected with an RBI doule in a 1 for 2 performance, while Morgan Sizemore went 1 for 1 with two RBIs. Liliy Sullivan, Sydney Selker and Katie Cantrell all added singles.
Macy Walters (1-4) started and took the loss in the circle for Akron (5-10). Maddelynn Lee was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 3.2 shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking two and striking out one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips were trailing 7-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Akron picked up a pair of runs in the frame.
The Zips kept the deficit at 7-2 before closing the gap further in the fifth. Freshman Liv Brown came across to score the lone run of the inning for Akron, which brought the score to 7-3 in favor of the Wolfpack. The Zips were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Akron's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Akron pitchers faced 31 NC State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out two.
» Senior Meagan Lee led the Zips at the plate, going 1 for 2 with a double and an RBI.
UP NEXT
Akron will be back in action against the host NC State on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
