Saturday, March 10, 2007

Akron scored six times in the seventh inning on Saturday afternoon to rally the Zips past Valparaiso 6-3 in Bradenton, Fla.

Valpo scored in each of the first two innings to take the early lead. Dallas Cawiezell's sacrfice fly in the opening inning and Jeff Rickert's bases loaded walk in the second put the Crusaders in front 2-0.

The Brown and Gold added another run in the fifth on Josh Piazza's RBI single to left scoring Cawiezell, but that would mark the end of the offense for Valpo.

Akron (8-1) scored six times in the seventh. Matt Roberts drove in two with a double and Kurt Davidson's single also plated two for the Zips.

Ryne Romick earned the win for Akron in relief, throwing four shutout innings while striking out six. Nick Mazzone suffered the loss for the Crusaders.

Valpo (2-6) will wrap up play in Bradenton on Sunday morning as the Crusaders face Vermont. First pitch is slated for 9 a.m. CDT.