Zips Sweeps 3 Game Series over Northern Illinois
The Akron Zips Softball team took down the Northern Illinois Huskies in a 3 game sweep at home. After falling short in a double-header to Robert Morris, the Zips got back on track to go 3-0 over the Huskies to improve to a 13-15 record (5-2 MAC).
Game #1:
The first game ended with the Zips walking off on a single bunt by freshman Lily Sullivan to allow freshman Haley Glass, who pinch-ran for freshman Sophia Wygast to score from third in the 11th inning. Sophomore Outfielder Meagan Lee led the batter’s box for the Zips with 3 hits, while sophomore 2nd Baseman Brooke Sivek and senior Outfielder Tiffany Stevens followed with 2 hits. Freshman Delaney Jenkinson also stole twice for the Zips. For the Huskies, senior Center Fielder Ellis Erickson led with 3 hits, while sophomore Outfielder Kiley Conner followed with 2 hits. On the mound, sophomore Haley Croyle (4-7) pitched a 11-inning shutout, striking out seven batters, while giving up seven hits and walking none to improve to a 4-7 record, while sophomore Danielle Stewart, who fell to a 4-6 record, struck out seven batters, gave up 10 hits and walked two.
Game #2:
Following the walkoff win, the Zips took the 2nd game of the series 4-2, with the Zips smacking a total of ten hits to the Huskies’ seven. Meagan Lee and junior 3rd Baseman Alexis Campbell collected three hits each for the Zips, while Sivek scored two of the Zips four runs. Junior 2nd Baseman Jenna Turner led with three of the Huskies seven hits, while also collecting two RBIs. On the mound, Zips freshman Macy Walters (2-3) picked up the victory while giving up only seven hits for two runs, walking one and striking out five in seven innings. Huskies junior Madison Carlson (2-3), pitched 4 innings, giving up nine hits for four runs and walked two.
Game #3:
Following a day of rest due to weather, the Zips took home the series finale 7-6 over the Huskies for the full sweep 3-0 at Lee R. Jackson field. Outfielder Meagan Lee went 4 for 4 from the batter’s box in the win for the Zips, while 2nd Baseman Delaney Jenkinson knocked a 3-run homer in the fifth inning. 3rd Baseman Alexis Campbell also went 2 for 2 for a RBI and a run of her own, and senior Pitcher Cailey Joyce added a home run and two RBIs. For the Huskies, Erickson and freshman Outfielder Katy Ramage both went 2 for 4, with Ramage scoring 2 runs, while sophomore Outfielder Kiley Conner and junior Shortstop Avery Carnahan collected 2 RBIs each. On the Mound, Haley Croyle (5-7) picked up her 2nd victory of the series, pitching 2.2 innings while only giving up one run on two hits. Huskies senior Emily Dato (0-3) took the loss, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, walking two batters and striking out one.