Sophomore Rachel Ratcliffe’s walk-off single in the eighth inning coupled with senior first baseman Alissa Birkhimer’s first inning two-run home run powered the University of Akron Zips (4-4) to a 3-2 victory in their morning game against East Tennessee State (3-6).
Erin Seiler was strong in relief for the Zips as she went 6⅓ innings, giving up just two earned runs on seven hits. The win, however, went to Birkhimer, who started the game and pitched for 1⅔ innings, striking out two of the five batters she faced and surrendering zero hits. Kellie Roudabush also had a strong game for Akron as she scored two runs, including the game-winning run, adding a double and a single.
The Zips failed to sweep their double-header, however, as they fell to the College of Charleston (2-3) 5-0 in the afternoon game. Despite six hits, including two from freshman right fielder Erin Pond, Akron could not find a way to plate any of the eight runners they left on base.
Baseball
• The Kent State Golden Flashes (0-4) dropped their fourth straight game this season, losing to UNC Wilmington (2-1) by a score of 13-8. Sophomore Tommy Monnot had a big day at the plate as he went 3-for-5, including a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Jason Bagoly and Sawyer Polen also had multi-hit days and each contributed an RBI.
A four-run fourth inning, two three-run innings, three errors and two UNC Wilmington home runs were too much for the Flashes to overcome, however. Freshman Nick Jensen-Clagg went just three innings, giving up seven runs and seven hits to receive his first loss of the season.
• The University of Akron (0-3) lost on the road to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-0) by a score of 5-3. After a quick outing from their starter, Georgia Tech got six strong relief innings from Cole Pitts, who struck out seven Zips and gave up just two runs.
Akron scored first, thanks to Joey Haverlick’s second inning solo home run. The Zips lead was erased an inning later, however, and a three-run fifth inning for the Yellow Jackets put the game out of reach.
Freshman leadoff hitter Daulton Mosbarger was Akron’s leading hitter with a single and double. He was also a threat on the bases as he stole his first base of the season and scored a run.
Women’s tennis
A stunning three-set, last match comeback by nationally ranked Angelina Jogasuria gave Akron (5-5) a 4-3 win over the No. 69 Oregon Ducks (8-1). She also helped the Zips take the doubles points as she and her partner, Prang Pantusart, defeated their opponents 8-4.
Jogasuria lost her first single set 4-6 before winning the second and third, sealing Akron’s victory.
Olga Shkundina and Ksenia Berestetska partnered Akron’s other doubles victory as they won their match 8-5. They also won their individual single matches.
This was Akron’s first victory over a ranked opponent since February 24, 2012, and was the sixth ranked opponent they’ve faced this season.
— Staff report
