The University of Akron softball team achieved dramatic victories in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, including a walk-off sacrifice fly and a grand slam. They are now set to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
Key points
University of Akron softball team won in the MAC Tournament
Andrea Day hit a walk-off sacrifice fly against Ohio University
Lily Sullivan hit a walk-off grand slam against Western Michigan
Akron Zips softball is advancing to the NCAA Tournament
Dramatic wins occurred at Firestone Stadium
Akron ZipsNCAA TournamentMid-American Conference TournamentAndrea Day
The University of Akron softball team cornered the market on dramatic wins last weekend in the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Firestone Stadium.
Sophomore Andrea Day hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to score junior Haley Glass and beat Ohio University 6-5 in a first-round game May 7.
Junior Lily Sullivan smacked a walk-off grand slam to beat Western Michigan University 4-2 in a semifinal May 8.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass scores a game winning unearned run against Ohio University in the seventh inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass and Sydney Selker celebrate their victory against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron players celebrate their victory against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
Q&A
What were the key wins for Akron Zips softball in the MAC Tournament?
Akron Zips softball secured a dramatic win against Ohio University with a walk-off sacrifice fly and defeated Western Michigan University with a walk-off grand slam.
Who scored the winning runs for Akron Zips in the MAC Tournament?
Haley Glass scored the winning run against Ohio University, while Lily Sullivan hit a grand slam to secure the win against Western Michigan University.
When did Akron Zips softball compete in the MAC Tournament?
Akron Zips softball competed in the MAC Tournament on May 7 and May 8, 2026.
What is the significance of Akron Zips softball's performance in the MAC Tournament?
Their performance in the MAC Tournament has qualified them for the NCAA Tournament, highlighting their competitive edge.
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University of Akron’s Sydney Selker scores on a triple by Delaney Jenkinson against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass celebrates hitting a double in the seventh inning against Ohio University during a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass catches the ball for an out in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass hits a double to drive in Meagan Lee in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Meagan Lee scores on a double by Haley Glass in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s head coach Craig Nicholson has a mound conference in the fifth inning against Ohio University during a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
Ohio University’s Rylee McDaniel looks to tag as University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson steals second base in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s shortstop Delaney Jenkinson catches a fly ball for an out as leftfielder Haley Glass backs her during the second inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Meagan Lee celebrates with her teammates after scoring on a double by Haley Glass in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s pitcher Madie Jamrog readies a pitch against Ohio University in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Katie Cantrell hits a double against Ohio University in the first inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson celebrates with her teammates after scoring against Ohio University in the inning fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Meagan Lee slides safely into third on a sarifice fly ball as Ohio University third base player takes the throw in the first inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Lily Sullivan celebrates hitting a single and advancing to second on a throwing error against Ohio University in the first inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass watches as an Ohio University homer run clears the fence in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
Ohio University players greet Izzie Wilson after she hit a home run in the seventh inning against University of Akron in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson celebrates her triple drove in Sydney Selker to score against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson scores on a single by Meagan Lee in the fourth inning against Ohio University during a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Sydney Selker celebrates scoring on a triple by Delaney Jenkinson against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s head coach Craig Nicholson and assistant coach Sara Zilles talks with the batters during a time out in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s pitcher Madie Jamrog delivers a pitch against Ohio University in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron players, from left, Ava Hensley, Sammy Lehnherr and Kate Schell dance around before the start of the game against Ohio University in the MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson hits a triple to drive in Sydney Selker to score against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Haley Glass scores a game winning unearned run against Ohio University in the seventh inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Haley Glass scores a game winning unearned run against Ohio University in the seventh inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Haley Glass and Sydney Selker celebrate their victory against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron players celebrate their victory against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Sydney Selker scores on a triple by Delaney Jenkinson against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Haley Glass celebrates hitting a double in the seventh inning against Ohio University during a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Haley Glass catches the ball for an out in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Haley Glass hits a double to drive in Meagan Lee in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Meagan Lee scores on a double by Haley Glass in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s head coach Craig Nicholson has a mound conference in the fifth inning against Ohio University during a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
Ohio University’s Rylee McDaniel looks to tag as University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson steals second base in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s shortstop Delaney Jenkinson catches a fly ball for an out as leftfielder Haley Glass backs her during the second inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Meagan Lee celebrates with her teammates after scoring on a double by Haley Glass in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s pitcher Madie Jamrog readies a pitch against Ohio University in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Katie Cantrell hits a double against Ohio University in the first inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson celebrates with her teammates after scoring against Ohio University in the inning fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Meagan Lee slides safely into third on a sarifice fly ball as Ohio University third base player takes the throw in the first inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Lily Sullivan celebrates hitting a single and advancing to second on a throwing error against Ohio University in the first inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Haley Glass watches as an Ohio University homer run clears the fence in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
Ohio University players greet Izzie Wilson after she hit a home run in the seventh inning against University of Akron in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson celebrates her triple drove in Sydney Selker to score against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson scores on a single by Meagan Lee in the fourth inning against Ohio University during a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Sydney Selker celebrates scoring on a triple by Delaney Jenkinson against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s head coach Craig Nicholson and assistant coach Sara Zilles talks with the batters during a time out in the fourth inning against Ohio University in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s pitcher Madie Jamrog delivers a pitch against Ohio University in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron players, from left, Ava Hensley, Sammy Lehnherr and Kate Schell dance around before the start of the game against Ohio University in the MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio U in a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Delaney Jenkinson hits a triple to drive in Sydney Selker to score against Ohio University in the fourth inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
The question now is, can Akron keep its magical season going in the double-elimination NCAA Tournament?
“You can never count us out,” Akron senior center fielder Meagan Lee said May 9. “Even [May 8], we were down to our final out in the bottom of the seventh and we were not going to quit. Lily hits a walk-off grand slam.”
University of Akron coach Craig Nicholson and assistant Sara Zilles talk with the batters during a timeout in a MAC Tournament game against Ohio University on May 7, 2026, at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
University of Akron coach Craig Nicholson and assistant Sara Zilles talk with the batters during a timeout in a MAC Tournament game against Ohio University on May 7, 2026, at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
Coach Craig Nicholson guides Akron softball to first NCAA Tournament
Craig Nicholson is in his fourth season as Akron’s coach and has a 115-100 record with the Zips. Now in his 29th season as a college coach, he has an overall record of 1,335-458-1.
“It's been a great ride,” Nicholson said. “I think our kids did a fantastic job of competing until the last out in every game [in the MAC Tournament]."
Nicholson went 723-90 in 11 seasons as the head coach at Central Arizona, won National Junior College Athletic Association national championships in 1997, 1999, 2003 and 2005 and was national runner-up in 1996 and 2000.
University of Akron softball player Lily Sullivan approaches home plate and her teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam in a 4-2 win over Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Firestone Stadium on May 8, 2026.
University of Akron softball player Lily Sullivan approaches home plate and her teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam in a 4-2 win over Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Firestone Stadium on May 8, 2026.
Nicholson then coached at Ball State (241-162 in seven seasons), Arizona State (82-34-1 in two seasons) and Division II Texas A&M Kingsville (174-72 in five seasons) before Akron.
Akron is the third school he has taken to an NCAA Division I Tournament after guiding Ball State to one and Arizona State to two. He led Ball State to four MAC regular-season titles and one MAC Tournament championship.
Nicholson said it was important to “flip the script of what Akron really is” and “expand our reach on the recruiting side.”
University of Akron's Meagan Lee hits the ball during a Mid-American Conference Tournament game against Ohio University on May 7, 2026, at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
University of Akron's Meagan Lee hits the ball during a Mid-American Conference Tournament game against Ohio University on May 7, 2026, at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
Meagan Lee leads Akron softball in hits and runs scored
Lee leads Akron in batting average (.419), on-base percentage (.477), hits (80) and runs (50) in 57 games. She also has 11 doubles, a triple, 22 walks and 21 RBIs.
Lee and Brooke Sivek are two of Akron’s seniors. Both committed to play for Nicholson when he coached at Texas A&M Kingsville and they were in high school in Texas. Lee and Sivek decided to enroll at Akron as freshmen for the 2022-2023 school year after Nicholson was hired.
“Coming all this way from Texas, we had to build this program up from what it was,” Lee said. “With Craig Nicholson coming in, we took it year by year, we were getting new recruits and trusting the process, trusting our development and our preparation. ... I'm so grateful to be a part of this my senior year. Getting to go to the NCAA Tournament is a dream come true.”
Lee said she had never heard of Akron until Nicholson was hired.
“I was sitting at a Torchy’s Tacos [in Texas], and he called me up and said, ‘I'm gonna go to Akron,’" Lee said. "I was like, ‘Great, where's that?’ He said ‘Ohio,’ and I go ‘Oh.’ I tell that story all the time. That was a total shock to me.”
University of Akron third baseman Lily Sullivan throws to first for an out against Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game May 8, 2026, at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
University of Akron third baseman Lily Sullivan throws to first for an out against Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game May 8, 2026, at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
Sophia Wygast paces Akron softball in home runs and runs batted in
Junior first baseman Sophia Wygast leads Akron in home runs (11) and RBIs (60) in 55 games. She is batting .339 with 60 hits, 10 doubles, 26 walks and 26 runs.
Sullivan, a third baseman, is at .328 with 57 hits, 35 runs, 13 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 39 RBIs in 57 games.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass scores a game winning unearned run against Ohio University in the seventh inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s Haley Glass scores a game winning unearned run against Ohio University in the seventh inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
“I think the want to has grown tremendously over the years,” Sullivan said. “… Everyone was so sure and so confident in our abilities and in our training that we knew we could do this. Having that belief behind our backs is a really key player in our success.”
Glass, a left fielder, is batting .320 with 40 hits, 33 runs, 10 doubles, nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 54 games.
“We always fight until the very last out,” Glass said. “We have grit, we always practice as hard as we can, we always have each other's backs and we just love each other. We love playing.”
University of Akron’s pitcher Madie Jamrog delivers a pitch against Ohio University in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
University of Akron’s pitcher Madie Jamrog delivers a pitch against Ohio University in the second inning of a MAC Tournament game at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 7, 2026.
Madie Jamrog is the ace pitcher for Akron softball
Jamrog is 18-6 with a 3.43 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 177⅓ innings.
“I look to my shortstop DJ [junior Delaney Jenkinson], my second baseman Brooke and my center fielder Meagan for comfort out there,” Jamrog said. "... The dugout is screaming their heads off. It's really reassuring to know that my teammates are backing me up, especially at the plate as well.”
University of Akron outfielders Haley Glass and and Sydney Selker break lose before practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron pitcher Madie Jamrog winds up to deliver a pitch in the bullpen at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron pitcher Macy Walters warms up in the bullpen during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron outfielder Meagan Lee fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson hits to the outfielders during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron outfielder Andrea Day fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron outfielders Ava Hensley and Meagan Lee joke as they wait to take part in a drill during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron infielder Brooke Sivek covers first base during a drill during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron infielder McKayla McGee takes the throw to first base during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron pitcher Madie Jamrog catches the ball hit back to the mound during an infield drill at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026. at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron’s Sammy Lehnherr takes part in a drill during pratice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron outfielders Haley Glass, left, and Ava Hensley, center, watch as Sydney Selker fields the ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron outfielder Andrea Day fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron’s Sammy Lehnherr takes part in a drill during pratice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson talks to his team before taking to the infield for practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson signals his players during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron pitcher Macy Walters fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron pitcher Madie Jamrog throws to first base during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron’s Sammy Lehnherr fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron pitcher Macy Walters delivers a pitch during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson talks to his players during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson talks to his players during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron outfielder Andrea Day fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
University of Akron infielder McKayla McGee catches a pop up during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
Softballs rest on the field at Firestone Stadium in Akron where the University of Akron Zips Softball team held practice on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielders Haley Glass and and Sydney Selker break lose before practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielders Haley Glass and and Sydney Selker break lose before practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron pitcher Madie Jamrog winds up to deliver a pitch in the bullpen at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron pitcher Macy Walters warms up in the bullpen during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielder Meagan Lee fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson hits to the outfielders during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielder Andrea Day fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielders Ava Hensley and Meagan Lee joke as they wait to take part in a drill during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron infielder Brooke Sivek covers first base during a drill during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron infielder McKayla McGee takes the throw to first base during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron pitcher Madie Jamrog catches the ball hit back to the mound during an infield drill at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026. at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Sammy Lehnherr takes part in a drill during pratice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielders Haley Glass, left, and Ava Hensley, center, watch as Sydney Selker fields the ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielder Andrea Day fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Sammy Lehnherr takes part in a drill during pratice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson talks to his team before taking to the infield for practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson signals his players during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron pitcher Macy Walters fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron pitcher Madie Jamrog throws to first base during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron’s Sammy Lehnherr fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron pitcher Macy Walters delivers a pitch during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson talks to his players during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron head softball coach Craig Nicholson talks to his players during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron outfielder Andrea Day fields a ball during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
University of Akron infielder McKayla McGee catches a pop up during practice at Firestone Stadium in Akron on May 5, 2026.
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Akron Zips softball prepares for MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium
Softballs rest on the field at Firestone Stadium in Akron where the University of Akron Zips Softball team held practice on May 5, 2026.
Akron softball brings momentum to Baton Rouge
Akron has won 20 of its last 24 games, including a nine-game win streak from April 3-12 when the Zips recorded three victories apiece over Toledo, Kent State and Buffalo by a combined score of 91-37.
“We have a ton of experience,” said Cantrell, who is hitting .303 with four home runs and 31 RBIs. “… Our coaches believed in our abilities before we did, especially in the preseason.”
Said Day: “Our first conference series, we went out and swept Ball State, who single-handedly knocked us out of the [double-elimination] MAC Tournament last year. ... Then we won a three-game series against the conference champions from last year, Miami. We took that momentum and ran with it.”
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.