Marshall University Athletics
Baseball Drops Series Finale to Akron 12-3
4/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Baseball Drops Series Finale to Akron 12-3
4/14/2002
Huntington, W.Va.-The University of Akron pounded out 20 hits in defeating the Marshall University baseball team 12-3 at University Heights. The loss drops Marshall?s record to 12-16, 4-3 in the conference. Akron improves to 11-14, 4-4 in conference play.
The Zips jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Dan Swallie singled to center field to score Ryan Brickwood to give UA a 1-0 lead. Then, a single by Lou Pederi scored Swallie and Shawn Hinssen.
Akron stretched the lead to 4-0 in the second when Jim Bonnette scored on a wild pitch.
The Zips chased Marshall starting pitcher Grant Harper when they opened the inning with a single by Pederi. After Chris Meadows replaced Harper, the Zips were able to strike for two runs in the inning. Pederi scored on a throwing error by Gregg Hiller and a Brickwood triple to center field scored Tom Lindhe to give the Zips a 6-0 lead.
After a 39-minute rain delay in the top of the third inning, the Zips continued to score. A run in the fourth and two more in the fifth gave the Zips a commanding 9-0 lead. Marshall finally got on the board in the sixth when Ryan Kobbe?s sacrifice fly scored Matt White to make it 9-1.
The Zips answered with three more in the seventh, however, and went on to an easy 12-3 victory.
Pederi led the way for Akron, going four for five on the day with two runs and five RBI?s.
White led the way for Marshall, going two for four with two runs scored.
Harper (2-3) allowed five hits and five runs in two innings of work in the loss.
Akron starter Frank Mendoza pitched six solid innings, allowing seven hits and only one earned run. Matt Halligan picked up the save for the Zips, his second of the season.
Marshall struggled most of the day committing three errors over the course of the game. The MU pitching staff also walked five batters, hit three others and threw four wild pitches.
Marshall will next face Morehead State University in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 16, at 1:00 p.m. at University Heights. Morehead State defeated MU earlier this year 24-23 in a game that set a new school record for most combined runs scored.
