Zips Travel to Western Carolina & NC State For Midweek Action

Tuesday, February 24

Cullowhee, NC

3:00 pm

University of Akron

Western Carolina

Zips Travel to Western Carolina & NC State For Midweek Action

February 23 | Baseball

AKRON, Ohio - The Zips continue their road trip with a pair of battles this week in North Carolina. The Blue and Gold first battle Western Carolina on Tuesday, February 24, and then No. 14 NC State on Wednesday, February 25.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Tuesday (Western Carolina): Video | Stats
Wednesday (NC State): Video | Stats

COMMON OPPONENTS
Western Carolina: Bowling Green (MAC), Presbyterian (Big South)
NC State: NC A&T (CAA)

ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips are coming off a 1-2 series against Western Illinois.

Easton Amundson led the Zips in the series with a .429 average. He recorded three hits, two HR, and six RBI with five walks. Brennan Morgan recorded four hits, a .400 average, two doubles, and three RBI against the Leathernecks. Brody Chrisman went 4-for-4 on stolen bases and notched three hits.

Elijah Griffith earned the lone win this past week after dealing six scoreless innings in a 5-0 victory. Griffith allowed just two hits while striking out a pair of runners as well. Flyod McKenna struck out two batters in 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Morgan leads Akron in batting average (.500), hits (12), and doubles (4). Brody Chrisman leads the way in home runs (3) while Amundson is second in home runs (2) and leads the squad in RBI (9). Blake Bowen holds the top mark for walks (11) while Kelton Phillips leads the way in stolen bases (7).

On the mound, three Zips have recorded a win, while Griffith holds the top mark in ERA (1.80) and innings pitched (10.0). Trieg Matthews is the leader in strikeouts (6).

As a team, Akron is hitting .262 with 48 runs scored on 60 hits. The Zips have 42 RBI, 16 doubles, one triple and seven home runs. The Zips are 24-of-25 on stolen bases this season. The Blue and Gold's pitching staff has allowed 51 runs, 44 earned, while striking out 52 and walking 42.

SCOUTING REPORT
WESTERN CAROLINA: Western Carolina enters the week with a 5-2 record after a 2-1 series against fellow Mid-American Conference foe Bowling Green.

After a pair of one-run games, WCU took the series with a 5-0 victory over BGSU.

Noah Quarless leads the Catamounts in average (.563) and doubles (3), while sharing the lead for home runs (2) and is second for RBI (8). Wyatt Stanley leads the way in RBI (9) and shares the lead in home runs with Quarless. Two Catamounts have stolen one base this season.

On the mound, Mason Snyder holds an ERA of 0.00 through two appearances, 8.1 innings of work, and one win. He is also tied for second in strikeouts (10). Carter Burnette leads the way in strikeouts (16) and innings pitched (11).

As a team, WCU is hitting .269 with 39 runs scored on 60 hits. The Catamounts have 39 RBI, 15 doubles and six home runs. WCU is 2-of-5 on stolen bases this season. The Catamounts' pitching staff has allowed 39 runs, 34 earned, while striking out 71 and walking 19.

NC STATE: NC State enters the week with a 5-1 record after going 2-1 against Princeton. NC State took down Princeton 6-4 and 16-1 before falling 1-0 in the series finale. Before taking on the Zips, the Wolfpack will host Richmond on Tuesday, February 24.

Wyatt Peifer leads the way in average (.500). Chris McHugh and Luke Nixon both have a team-high 10 hits, while Nixon leads the way in doubles (4) and stolen bases (6). Dalton Bargo leads the way in home runs (3) while McHugh and Drew Lanphere share the lead for RBI (8).

On the mound, Jacob Dudan leads the way in ERA (0.00) and innings pitched (12.0). He is also 2-0 on the year with 13 strikeouts. Ryan Marohn leads the way in strikeouts (14).

As a team, NC State is hitting .330 with 52 runs scored on 66 hits. The Wolfpack have 48 RBI, 14 doubles and 12 home runs. NC State is 15-of-17 on stolen bases this season. The Wolfpack pitching staff has allowed 13 runs, 10 earned, while striking out 68 and walking 18.

WHO RETURNS
Akron sees 14 players return from the 2025 squad. Those players include Parker Munday, Austin Lafferty, Kyle McConachie, Derek Occhipinti, Nathan Currah, Jack Fenton, Elijah Griffith, John Allen, Landon Vandegrift, Josiah Ross, Taylor Bednar, Blake Bowen, Henry Hayman and Will Heisler.