Akron sends Huskies home with tail between legs

The University of Akron’s baseball team (16-16) swept their series against the Huskies of Northern Illinois at home.

This three game series had a double header being played on Saturday, April 11 where Akron won 4-1 and 6-2. For the first game, all of the runs were scored in the fourth inning. NIU scored first in the top and Akron equaling and surpassing NIU with four runs in the bottom. John Valek (4-3) pitched the game and recorded three strikeouts while allowing two hits and the Huskies lone run. Matt Larocca batted .667 (2/3) while also recording two RBIs in the game. Akron’s other scorers were Daulton Mosbarger, Joey Havrilak, Brian Lees, and Kris Simonton.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Zips collected a 6-2 victory in a game led by UA throughout. The pitcher, J.t. Brubaker (4-3), had 72 strikes for 11 strikeouts and gave up four hits and two runs. The MAC has also honored Brubaker, naming him the East Division Pitcher of the Week for this performance. The Zips batted at an average of .300 as a team and individually, Billy Salem hit .750 (4/3) while also earning a run. Other scorers for the game were Mosbarger, Havrilak, Larocca, Mason Mamarella, and Alex Dirienzo.

Sunday, April 12 the Zips took the field against Northern Illinois for the series finale. In the beginning of the game, the Huskies were in control and had the early lead with two scores in the second inning. Akron remained scoreless until the fifth when Dan Lawrence and Mamarella finally scored tying the score up at two apiece. From that point on, the game was highly defensive as both team failed to execute their offensive strategy. As the game moved to the eighth inning, another tie occurred as Havrilak scored, moving the score to four apiece. The game wasn’t decided until the final at bat as Mamarella scored the victorious run on a Lees RBI. Pat Dyer (3-0) had 34 strikes and three strikeouts with three hits and no runs while on the mound.

The Zips will remain at home in Lee R. Jackson Field as they take a break from conference play and take on the Herd of Marshall in a mid-week battle scheduled for Tuesday, April 14.