Kent State University
University of Akron
Wagon Wheel Rivalry Resumes on Friday Night
5/6/2021 2:30:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, OHIO- It's rivalry weekend at Schoonover Stadium as the Akron Zips make the short trip over to Schoonover Stadium for a four-game series starting on Friday night.
Friday night's game will start at 5 p.m. with Saturday's double header and Sunday's finale starting at 1 p.m.
ABOUT THE RIVALRY
A Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge point is on the line, the winner of the four-game series gets a point for their school in the year-long Wagon Wheel Challenge. Currently, Kent State owns a 5.5-4 lead after Kent State men's and women's golf each took home their respective Mid-American Conference Championships.
This is the first full season back for the Akron Zips baseball team with the University bringing back the program in 2020 after dropping the sport after the 2015 season. Despite the hiatus, Akron and Kent State will be meeting for the 166-169th time in the history of the rivalry. The two schools first met on the diamond in 1916 when the then Municipal University of Akron took on the Kent Normal School. Kent State picked up its first victory in the rivalry in 1929.
ABOUT THE FLASHES
Kent State is coming off a four-game split with the Ohio Bobcats and sit at 19-20 overall and 12-12 in the MAC. The Flashes won the first two games of the series before dropping the final two.
GRADUATION CELEBRATION
Prior to Friday night's game there will be an on-field graduation ceremony for nine members of the Kent State baseball team who will be earning either their graduate or undergraduate degree.
BREAKOUT PERFORMERS
Eric Wentz was one of the break-out performers last weekend. The outfielder hit his first homer of the season on Friday night that turned out to be the game-winner. Over the four-game series Wentz hit .538 with three runs scored. Catcher Sam Thompson also had a big weekend, going 4-for-6 in two games with a homer, double and three driven in.
THE FUTURE'S ALBRIGHT
The Friday night game against Ohio featured a pair of pitchers that are high on major league scout's radar. Both Luke Albright and Ohio's Joe Rock shined in the spotlight. Albright set a career-high with 13 strikeouts over six innings. Albright settled for the no-decision but is third in the MAC with 83 strikeouts this season.
ABOUT THE ZIPS
Akron comes into the weekend at 10-28 on the season and 4-24 in the MAC. Their four MAC wins are their only wins against Division-I opponents. They are coming off a victory in the series finale against Northern Illinois.
The team is hitting .229 against MAC opponents, outfielder Bryant Shellenbarger is the only batter hitting over 300 in either MAC play or overall. A trio of players lead the team with two homers, Akron as a club has hit 11 in their 28 MAC games.
On the mound, the Zips pitch to a 7.33 earned run average in conference play. Taed Heydinger leads the team with a 4.97 era in seven MAC starts. He got the start in the first game of Saturday's double header and took the complete game loss after allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings.
FOLLOW ALONG
All four games of the series will be live streamed via Box Cast. Our Friday night coverage will also include the pre-game graduation ceremony starting around 4:30. Live stats will also be provided for all four games. Links can be found on the baseball schedule page.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Golden Flashes hit the road next weekend, traveling to Muncie to take on Ball State. First pitch on Friday, May 14th is set for 3 p.m.
