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OXFORD, Ohio– The Akron softball team closed out the regular season with a 5-1 loss at Miami (Ohio) in Mid-American Conference action on Sunday afternoon at the Miami Softball Stadium.
The Zips finished at 26-28 overall and 12-12 in the MAC, while the RedHawks improved to 29-22 overall and 14-10 in MAC play.
Akron took the lead quickly, scoring a run in the top of the first inning when senior OF Savannah Fruin (Delray Beach, Fla.) singled to left, which drove in junior OF Ashley Sims (Brooksville, Fla.).
The RedHawks tied the game in the bottom of the first inning with a single through the left side. The Zips had a chance to score in the top of the third inning, but was stopped by a double play.
Miami added a security run in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI double. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the RedHawks made it 3-1 from another RBI double. The RedHawks scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, securing the 5-1 victory over the Zips.
Junior pitcher Nicole Best (Broadview Heights) pitched 5.2 innings. She struck out three batters and walked two. Sophomore Kelly Hysong (Beach City, Ohio) pitched the remaining one-third of an inning with one strikeout.
Overall, Miami out-hit Akron, 7-6.
Akron now awaits a berth into the eight-team 2017 MAC Tournament. The MAC tourney is slated for May 10-13 at Firestone Stadium. The MAC will announce the tourney bracket later this evening.