“At a fairly empty Canal Park Stadium Wednesday night, the University of Akron and Kent State baseball teams played against each other in the second annual Diamond Classic for Kids. Fans that did turn out were treated to Cleveland Browns and Kent State Alumni Joshua Cribbs, who helped to throw out the first pitch.”
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At a fairly empty Canal Park Stadium Wednesday night, the University of Akron and Kent State baseball teams played against each other in the second annual Diamond Classic for Kids.

Fans that did turn out were treated to Cleveland Browns and Kent State Alumni Joshua Cribbs, who helped to throw out the first pitch.

However the big event of the night was Akron’s right fielder Doug McNulty, who set a new school record.

McNulty hit three home runs in the Zips 16-15 loss. McNulty’s homers came in consecutive at bats the first, third and sixth innings.

I was just trying to hit the ball hard, McNulty said. He said that when he hit that third homerun he was only thinking about one thing.

I was saying don’t let your head get too big in the dug out with the rest of the guys, McNulty said. After the third one I was thinking well it’s just my night.

McNulty admitted that hitting the three homeruns was a great feeling as he had been struggling with his hitting recently.

First Baseman Kurt Davidson followed suit with a homerun in the top of the fourth.

No matter how many runs were scored and despite chants of Kent State still sucks early on in the game, the Zips did not prevail.

Starting Akron pitcher Steven Zemanek yielded seven runs in five innings, while the Flashes Alan Morrison gave up 8 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The Flashes then scored eight runs in the seventh inning, which gave them a 15-13 lead.

Matt Roberts and Vince Chiera scored runs in the top of the eighth that brought the Zips back to tie the game at 15-15.

In the top of the ninth McNulty was intentionally walked, leaving it to former Kent State catcher Brandon White, who grounded out with the tying run on thrid base to end the game.

University of Akron head coach Pat Bangtson said it was a disappointing loss but it was good game for the fans.

Both teams battled all night long and came up with big hits, he said. I think that if you were a fan you got your moneys worth, that’s for sure.

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” #1.1361053:1957605049.jpg:Diamond Classic 3.jpg:The Zips shortstop Kevin Haas makes a play during the Zips 16-15 loss.:EDDIE ROBERTS / EGAL VISION PHOTOGRAPHY”