Zips Open MAC Play at Ball State

WHATS AHEAD
The Akron Zips open Mid-American Conference play this weekend, traveling to Ball State for a three game series with the conference opener scheduled in Muncie, Ind. on Friday, March 13 at 3 p.m. The following day (Sat. March 14) the Zips and the Cardinals are slated for a double header, starting at 1 p.m. All three games can be viewed on ESPN+.

HOW TO FOLLOW
GM1: March 13 at Ball State | 3 PM | Live Stats | ESPN+
GM2: March 14 at Ball State | 1 PM | Live Stats | ESPN+
GM3: March 14 at Ball State | 3 PM | Live Stats | ESPN+

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 8-16 overall with a 3-5 record on the road and 5-11 in neutral site games. The Zips won their last time out 3-2 over Canisius at the Marshall March Madness Tournament. The Zips went 2-2 overall last weekend and swept the MAC weekly awards as as outfielder Meagan Lee was selected as MAC Player of the Week and pitcher Macy Walters was tabbed MAC Pitcher of the Week.

The Zips posted a 2-2 overall record at the Marshall March Madness Tournament in Huntington, W.Va. last weekend where both Lee and Walters shined. She was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in game 1 against Canisius where the Zips posted a 3-0 win. The Zips fell in back-to-back games against the Host Marshall (9-1 and 4-0) as Lee went 2-for-3 in both games. In the tournament finale against Canisius, the Zips established a lead and never turned back with Lee leading the offensive efforts with a 3-for-4 performance that included an RBI double.

Walters posted a 2-1 record in the circle at the Marshall March Madness Tournament. She was masterful in the opening game, recording a complete game (7 inn.) two-hit shutout performance for the 3-0 win. Walters was back in the circle for game three as the Zips fell to Marshall, throwing 4.2 innings and allowing only two earned runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts. In her final outing, Walters went the distance, hurling 7.0 innings allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Foer the weekend, Walters totaled 18.2 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA and 1.179 WHIP. She allowed only four earned runs on 14 hits with seven strikeouts, five walks and 3 hit batters. She limited opponents to a .237 batting average.

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)

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Players Mentioned

Andrea Day

Madie Jamrog

Meagan Lee

Macy Walters

Sophia Wygast

The University of Akron Athletics