The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
8-9, 2-2
UMass
4-6, 0-4
Zips Roll Past UMass to Open the Series
March 13 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio --Akron got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Zips put 12 runs on the board and beat the UMass Minutemen 12-2 Friday.
Josiah Ross (2-1) got the win for Akron (8-9, 2-2). The right-hander went four innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits, allowing four walks and striking out four. Brady Bowen also pitched well, going three shutout innings while allowing three hits.
At the plate, the Zips were led by Henry Hayman, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a double and two RBI. Blake Bowen furnished a standout effort as well, going 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. Brody Chrisman also chipped in for Akron, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding two RBIs. Gio Melchione put together three hits while scoring twice and driving in a run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Akron scored twice, with one run coming across on Hayman's single.
The Zips then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the third inning after the Minutemen cut it to 2-1. The Akron offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a one-run single off the bat of Gio Melchione, which brought the Zips lead to 7-1.
UMass narrowed Akron's lead to 7-2 before the Zips stretched the advantage to 11-2 in the sixth inning. The Zips bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Chrisman.
Akron held the Minutemen without a run before their offense got things rolling the next inning. Melchione crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Zips, bringing the Akron advantage to 12-2. The score remained 12-2 for the rest of the game, as the Zips coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Melchione compiled three base knocks in the game for Akron.
» Every Akron starter reached base safely in the win.
» Akron's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed five runs across.
» Akron grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Four Zips had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Zips out-hit the Minutemen at an 11-7 clip.
» Both Tucker Biehl and Chrisman stole two bases in Friday's game.
» The Zips stole six bases as a team.
» Akron went 8-for-14 (.571) with runners in scoring position.
» Akron pitchers faced 31 UMass hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and four fly balls while striking out four.
» The Zips drew five walks from UMass pitching.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron and UMass resume the series on Saturday, March 14, for a 1 p.m. start.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ross, Josiah (2-1)
L: Callen Powers (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Ty Fox 1
RBI: Ty Fox 1 ; Marc Willi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gavin O'Brien 1 ; Reece McCarthy 1
SB: Reece McCarthy 1
PO: Anthony Tirado 1
Batting:
2B: Hayman, Henry 1 ; McConachie, Kyle 1
RBI: Morgan , Brennan 1 ; Chrisman , Brody 2 ; Bowen, Blake 1 ; Amundson , Easton 1 ; Hayman, Henry 2 ; McConachie, Kyle 1 ; Melchione , Gio 1
SH: Biehl , Tucker 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mathison, Gabe 1 ; Biehl , Tucker 2 ; Morgan , Brennan 2 ; Chrisman , Brody 2 ; Bowen, Blake 1 ; Hayman, Henry 1 ; McConachie, Kyle 1 ; Melchione , Gio 2
SB: Biehl , Tucker 2 ; Morgan , Brennan 1 ; Chrisman , Brody 2 ; Bowen, Blake 1
HBP: Mathison, Gabe 1 ; Biehl , Tucker 1 ; Morgan , Brennan 2
