The lady Zips softball team traveled to Fairfax, Virginia this past weekend where they took part in the Cherry Blossom Classic. On Friday the 13th, the lady Zips took on Wagner College and came out victorious with a 5-1 win. Later that day, they also took on George Mason and came away with another win 6-3.

Third baseman, Alyssa Nicholas crushed a ball and earned herself a home run at the bottom of the first and brought home Chelsea Widley and Kellie Roudabush to make the score 3-0, Akron leading. For Wagner, Senior Kelsey Parker hit a homer to get the Seahawks on the board to make the score 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning. Savannah Fruin of the lady Zips tripled to right field to set her team up in a good position for another run. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kellie Roudabush singled to left field and Savannah scored to make the score 4-1. Still at the bottom of the fifth, Alyssa Nicholas struck out swinging, but reached first on a fast ball. This lead Roudabush to score who previously advance to 3rd base on a throw, making the score 5- 1. This led to a solid win for the lady Zip’s in their first game in the Cherry Blossom Classic.

The great play by the lady zips continued later that day as they took on George Mason. Top performances for the Zips came from a number of players; outfielder Fruin, with one home run and one RBI, Sara Pearson added another home run and two RBI’s, McKenzi Rohodes with one RBI, and Caitlin Gambone also adding one RBI. For George Mason, their solid play came from Katherine Marsh who contributed two RBI’s and Casey Price who made the final tally 6-3.

With Saturday’s game being cancelled against Georgetown, the lady Zips focused their attention on a re-match against George Mason on Sunday morning. The Zips didn’t seem to be phased as they took another win by a score of 3-2. RBI’s coming from Nicholas, Gambone, and Lisa Lash for the Akron. For George Mason third baseman, Brooke Blankenship accounted for two RBI’s for her team in a well fought game.

The final game later that afternoon featured the Zips and the Georgetown Bulldogs. With the Zips in route to pulling off the sweep there was no lack of motivation. In the bottom of the first inning Roudabush singled to left field for Akron. Roudabush then advanced to second due to a throwing error. After taking the plate, Wildey grounded out but not without Roudabush advancing to third base. Nicholas stepped up to the plate and doubled down to center field to help Roudabush score for the Zips to make the score 1-0. For Georgetown, Theresa Kane scored off a single from her teammate Megan Hyson in the top of the third now making the score even at one apiece. Fruin grounded out in the fifth but Gillespie advanced to second. Roudabush then doubled to right center field and Gillespie scored to make the ending score 2-1 and the lady Zips pulling off the sweep.

The lady Zips will travel to Western Michigan for a conference game next Friday, March 27 looking to continue its winning ways.