AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zips fell twice to rival Kent State in a pair of close games on Friday in a doubleheader.

GAME 1 | Kent State 10, Akron 8

The Akron Zips held an 8-6 lead into the ninth inning, but couldn't hold on as they on and fell 10-8.

Michael Sprockett led the charge with a three-hit game that featured a home run, two RBI and a run. Evan Bottone and Jack Poist each had a pair of hits as well. Bottone added a double and scored twice while Poist had a double and walked twice.

Sean Perkins (1-2) took the loss on the mound for Akron (14-34, 9-16). Jack Kelley started the ballgame and went six innings, surrendering two runs, both earned, on four hits, walking two and striking out seven.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Sam Seeker's RBI double with two outs.

The Golden Flashes failed to push any runs across before the Zips built on their lead in the third inning. Akron hit two home runs in the inning on the way to pushing four runs across. which brought the Zips lead to 5-0.

Kent State narrowed Akron's lead to 5-2 before the Zips stretched the advantage to 8-2 in the fourth inning. The Zips picked up three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-run home run from Sprockett. The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as Kent State scored eight times over the remaining five innings to grab the 10-8 win.

GAME NOTES
» Sprockett led the Zips, amassing three base knocks in the ballgame.
» Every Zips starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Akron's highest-scoring inning was the third when it pushed four runs across.
» Kelley put together six innings of two-run ball for Akron.
» The Zips took Kent State pitchers deep three times on Friday.
» Akron left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Zips out-hit the Golden Flashes at a 13-12 clip.
» Akron went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Akron pitchers faced 45 Kent State hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Zips drew four walks from Kent State pitching.
» Sprockett led the Zips at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.

GAME 2 | Kent State 6, Akron 5

The Zips jumped out an early lead in game two against the Golden Flashes but fell 6-5 to conclude the doubleheader on Friday.

Jared Schaeffer took the loss (3-7) after he tossed eight innings, giving up six runs, three earned, on five hits, striking out 10 and walking one for Akron (14-34, 9-16). Jacob Beall threw one scoreless inning while allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts.

At the plate, the Zips were led by Bowman, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Seeker put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Bottone also contributed for Akron, putting together one hit in five trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the bottom of the first. Seeker drove in two runs for Akron with a single, that scored Bowman and Sprockett.

The Golden Flashes failed to push any runs across before the Zips offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Akron scored once on an RBI single off the bat of freshman Nicky Sackett, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Zips.

Akron's lead had evaporated once the fifth inning arrived and turned into a 4-3 Kent State lead. The Zips tied the contest once again on Bowman's one-out solo home run in the fifth.

The game stayed tied until the next inning when Akron got going again on offense. The Zips scored a run on Bottone's one-out RBI double, bringing the Akron advantage to 5-4. 

The Zips were unable to hold the lead, as Kent State scored two times over the remaining three innings to grab the 6-5 win.

GAME NOTES
» Schaeffer fanned 10 Golden Flashes hitters.
» Zips pitchers combined to strike out 12 Kent State hitters.
» The Zips out-hit the Golden Flashes at a 9-5 clip.
» Sackett stole three bases in Friday's game.
» The Zips swiped five bases as a team.
» Akron went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Akron pitchers faced 35 Kent State hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 12.
» Bowman led the Zips at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron and Kent State conclude the series on Sunday, May 12. The Zips will honor its seniors before the start of Sunday's contest.