RedHawks Bring An End To Zips Winning Streak

The Akron Zips (14-14, 6-3 MAC) have won every MAC series they have played in up to this point. The Miami RedHawks (12-17, 4-5 MAC) lived up to the challenge in what turned out to be an exciting series.

Akron took game one in come from behind fashion. Starter John Valek lasted 6.2 innings pitched allowing two earned runs in a no decision. Zack Beaver (4-0) picked up the win in relief.

"We left 15 guys on base and that usually means disaster, but Johnny pitched extremely well to keep us in the game," Rembielak said in Akron's press release.

Rembielak, who may be the best hitter in the conference right now, performed big for the Zips. Rembielak (5-for-6) delivered the go ahead run batted in during the top of the ninth inning. He had a total of two RBI in the game. Joey Havrilak (2-for-5) also chipped in a pair of rbi, while James Meeker tacked on an insurance run in the ninth.

"Our guys never gave up having to come from behind three times tonight," head coach Rick Rembielak said. "Our errors in the outfield resulted in the hitter reaching second base each time unnecessarily. Didn't like to see that and all those runners left on."

For the RedHawks starter Seth Varner unfortunately earned a no decision. Varner tossed seven innings allowing eight hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts. The loss was picked up by relief pitcher Winston McMartin (0-1) who had a ninth inning to forget. McMartin allowed two hits, two walks, and two runs while striking out one in his 1.1 innings of relief.

Games two, and three would go to the RedHawks in a much needed series win. Nathan Willams (2-4) was nasty in his game two start limiting the Zips to four hits, three walks, seven strikeouts, and allowing no runs in eight innings of work.

The Zips starter JT Brubaker couldn't find his command. Brubaker (2-2) pitched 4.1 innings of work allowing ten hits, and three free passes. His lone strikeout was on a pitch in the dirt that Chad Sedio helped him out on.

The RedHawks bats were lead by Dan Walsh (4-for-5) and Chad Sedio(2-for-4) who each had a pair of RBI.

The Zips had no offense, but did get a hit from Matt Rebielak who finished the day 1-for-4.

Game three starter Ryan Powers (2-3) looked good providing the Redhawks with 7.1 innings of work striking out five, while giving up six hits and two walks. Charles Zubrod finished out the game picking up his first save of the season while not allowing a single base runner to reach.

Zips starter Myles McVeigh (1-1) allowed three hits, two walks, four runs (one earned) while striking out five to take the loss.

The Redhawks captured up the win despite only picking up five hits in the game. Dan Walsh (1-for-3), Ryan Elble (1-for-3, 2 RBI) Gary Russo (1-for-4), Chad Sedio (1-for-2), and Steve Sada accounted for the hits with one a piece.

The Zips hung around, but the offense provided by Daulton Mosbaurger ( 2 for 4) was not enough as the Zips went down losing a MAC conference series for the first time this season.

For the Akron Zips, it will be interesting to see how they respond as they welcome in the Ohio Bobcats for their next home series. The Miami RedHawks can get back above the .500 mark in the conference with a series against The Kent State Golden Flashes in Kent, OH.