The University of Akron baseball team dropped three games in this weekend’s home stand, losing to the Western Michigan Broncos in their Mid-American Conference opener at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio.

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The University of Akron baseball team dropped three games in this weekend’s home stand, losing to the Western Michigan Broncos in their Mid-American Conference opener at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio.

The first game on Friday resulted in a 9-0 loss, while Saturday’s game proved to be a pitchers dual, as junior Andrew Brown gave up two unearned runs, although the Zips were unable to win, losing 2-0.

In Sunday’s game, the Zips (4-17, 0-3 MAC) came up short, losing to the Broncos (13-11, 3-0 MAC) 7-0 in the series finale.

We talked prior to the series defensively and pitching-wise that we had to get leadoff hitters out and seven out of the nine innings we were pitching up hill, said UA’s seven-year Head Coach Pat Bangston. Give Western Michigan some credit, but we have to do a better job and start scoring some runs.

Senior center fielder Drew Turocy collected a pair of singles, which extended his hitting streak to seven and marked his 11th multi-hit game of the season for Akron.

Drew’s an outstanding hitter, said Bangston. He’s a good pro prospect and should have a chance at the next level, but he also has proved why he’s our team captain the way he has been swinging the bat. 

Freshman right hander Myles McVeigh made the start for the Zips, pitching 6.1 innings while giving up two earned and one un-earned run in the loss.

Steve Laudicina picked up the win for WMU, while David Brennan recorded the save in 4.0 innings.

WMU capitalized on an error, scoring the game’s first run in the top of the third.

The Broncos’ Brad Wehrmeyer led the inning off with a double down the right field line. After Jimmy Martinez was hit by a pitch, McVeigh’s pickoff attempt at second was mishandled by second baseman Sam Watkins, allowing both runners to advance.

A Western Michigan sacrifice fly to center by Zach Toma scored Wehrmeyer, but UA sophomore catcher James Sheltrown helped the Zips out of the inning by gunning out both Martinez and Grant Simotes, who attempted to steal.

Danny Burant was our number one catcher, but he had an injury, said Bangston. James is an outstanding catcher; [he] has a quick release and he calls a good game.

Akron threatened in the bottom of the third when junior Watkins singled to left with freshman Matt Corpora and Turocy on second and first, respectively. Corpora made the attempt to score on the play, but was thrown out at the plate by Martinez.

 During the fifth inning, the Zips threatened again with runners on both corners and two outs, but Watkins grounded out to shortstop Patrick Duncan, whose throw was just in time for a diving Watkins at first.

McViegh had a solid middle three innings before giving up a pair of runs in the seventh as the Broncos took control of the game.

WMU was able to add four runs and six hits, along with a Wehrmeyer two-run triple to center highlighting the inning.

Western Michigan scored two more runs in the eighth inning of senior reliever Bobby Simone, making the score 7-0.

Akron was able to load the bases up in the bottom of the eighth inning, but junior Jason Corzine lined out to right to end the inning.

Akron will return to Canal Park this Tuesday when they take on Malone. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.

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