Akron Reporter

The University of Akron softball team swept a doubleheader over Robert Morris in the squad's home opener at Lee R. Jackson Field on Tuesday, March 21.

The Zips earned a 2-1 walk-off victory in game one before exploding for a 13-4 decision in the nightcap.

"It proved to be two very different games today," Akron head coach Craig Nicholson commented. "We found a way to win a pitchers' duel late in game one and we let our offense take care of the second one. We chased some bad pitches in the first game and got ourselves out too often. I thought our approach at the plate was much better right from the start of game two."

Trailing 1-0 heading into their final at-bat in the opener, redshirt junior Jaiden Bryant (Hilliard, Ohio) reached base and advanced to second base on a two-out error. Redshirt junior Laurel DeVoe (North Canton, Ohio) followed driving in Bryant with the tying run on a double to the fence in center field. Freshman Abigail Scheller (North Hills, Pa.) then delivered a pinch-hit game-winning RBI single to left center field to score junior Carley Auten (Pickerington, Ohio).

Redshirt senior P Alexa DiFeo (Akron, Ohio) tossed a complete-game three-hit masterpiece for the Zips striking out seven en route to earning the victory.

Freshman Brooke Sivek (Boerne, Texas) finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Zips' offensive efforts.

In game two, the Colonials jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning before Akron responded with three runs of its own in its half of the frame. The big blow in the inning was a two-run home run off the bat of sophomore Alexis Campbell (Indianapolis, Ind.).

The Zips then put the game out of reach with a nine-run outburst in the bottom of the third inning.

Bryant went 3-for-3 with two RBI for Akron in the tilt, while Campbell was 2-of-2 with three RBI and two runs scored. Junior Madison Dudek (Uniontown, Ohio) added a pair of hits and two RBI to go along with a two-hit performance from Sivek.

Freshman P Haley Croyle (Hubbard, Ohio) worked 3.0 innings of relief to garner the win in the circle for the Zips.

UP NEXT:
Akron continues Mid-American Conference play welcoming rival Kent State to Lee R. Jackson Field for a 3 p.m. contest on Friday, March 24. 

Original source can be found here