“The University of Akron men’s baseball team lost to the Pittsburgh Panthers 14-13 on Tuesday in a slugfest that included 33 hits and 27 runs between the two clubs. With the loss the Zips fell to 4-18 on the season while the Panthers improved to 12-6 overall.”
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The University of Akron men’s baseball team lost to the Pittsburgh Panthers 14-13 on Tuesday in a slugfest that included 33 hits and 27 runs between the two clubs.

With the loss the Zips fell to 4-18 on the season while the Panthers improved to 12-6 overall.

The Zips first baseman Brian Kordal’s game tying three-run homerun and second baseman Nick Soliatrio’s go ahead RBI sacrifice fly in the bottom of eighth inning was not enough as Panthers rallied back to take the lead on shortstop Chris Tonte’s go ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth.

Tonte’s RBI single would eventually be the game-winning run as the Zips were not able to rally in the bottom of the ninth.

Akron pitcher Ryne Romick was saddled with the loss lasting only one and a third innings and giving up three earned runs.

Pittsburgh’s third baseman Joe Leonard came in to pitch and got the victory pitching two innings and holding the Zips scoreless.

Andrew Brown started for the Zips going six innings and giving up sevens runs but only three were earned. The four unearned runs came across on an Akron error.

The one error cost us and allowed them to have a big second inning, Zips head coach Pat Bangston said.

The error led to a grand slam home run off the bat of Pitt’s second baseman Chris Sedon.

Sedon had a big day going 2-4 with two home runs and six RBI.

Chris Tonte also contributed to the Panthers going 3-4 with two RBI including the eventual game-winning single in the ninth.

The Zips were led by first baseman Brian Kordal who had three hits in five trips including a home run and six RBI.

Nick Solitario had two hits and an RBI.

Phil Bednar went 2-3 with two RBI before being taken out of the lineup with a leg injury.

Zips head coach Pat Bangston said Bednar is listed as day-to-day and the training staff will reevaluate him tomorrow

We’re going to keep him out of Wednesday’s game at Duquesne and try to have him back in the lineup for Friday’s conference game, Bangston said.

The Rockets are 9-10 overall and 3-0 in the MAC.

Coach Bangston said he feels that the pitching hasn’t been the only aspect of the game that has hurt the Zips this year.

Our pitching has improved throughout the year. We gave up 13 runs in the Ball State series and only two were earned. The pitching and defense has to work together, he said.

The Zips will head back home to Lee Jackson Field Friday for a series against the Toledo Rockets.

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