How It Happened
Akron scored in the top of the seventh to squeak out a 2-1 victory over Rhode Island on the first day of the Cathi Maynard Invitational in Clarksville, Tenn.

Rhode Island (1-11) got its only run via a solo home run from Emily Power, as the offense was unable to generate much else on the day.

Rhody's defense got the team out of a jam in the first inning. After Akron (6-8) had two runners on with one out, but Avery Vale-Cruz induced a double play grounder off the bat of cleanup hitter Lily Sullivan. Second baseman Elena Gonzalez fielder the ball, flipped to shortstop Cassie Swenson, who made the throw to first baseman Becca Zawistowksi to end the threat.

Akron broke through in the top of the third. Delaney Jenkinson worked a walk and promptly stole second. Madison Dudek doubled to the gap in left center to drive Jenkinson in with the first run. Dudek moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, but Emily Power fielded a Meagan Lee grounder and managed to retire Dudek in a rundown between third and home, helping the Rams get out of the inning without further damage,

Power evened the score in the bottom of the inning. After working a full count, Power drilled a solo home run to left field.

Katie Zaun gave the Rams a lift in the top of the fourth. Akron got two walks to start the inning, causing Rhody starter Avery Vale-Cruz to be lifted for Zaun. Zaun sandwiched a pair of strikeouts around a flyout to get out of the jam unscathed.

In the top of the sixth, Akron got two runners in scoring position with two outs. Tiffany Stevens singled and Autumn Bailey had a pinch-hit double. Zaun escaped the frame by getting Brooke Sivek to ground out, keeping the score tied.
 
Akron got the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh. Lee led off with a single and advanced on a groundout. Morgan Sizemore drove her in with a single to center, making the score 2-1.

Rhody got the potential tying run to third base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Zoe Rensel reached on a one-out, pinch hit single. Pinch runner Riley Frickleton moved to second when Power walked, and then Frickleton reached third on a fielder's choice grounder by Sydney Yoder. However, Elena Gonzalez flew out to center, ending the game.

Inside the Box Score

• Emily Power hit her second home run of the season and also drew a pair of walks.
• Skyler Rapuano had a pair of singles and one stolen base.
• Kylie Bulinski had one single.
• Zoe Rensel's pinch-hit single was the first hit of her career.
• Katie Zaun pitched well despite picking up the loss. She allowed one run on five hits over 4.0 innings of relief. She also fanned three batters.
• Avery Vale-Cruz allowed just one run on two hits over three innings. She struck out three batters along the way.
• Akron got its leadoff batter on in five of the seven innings, but only two of the runners came around to score.
• The Zips stranded 11 runners on base.
• Rhode Island was 0-for-8 with runners on base.

What's Next
Rhode Island plays a single game against host Austin Peay Saturday at 8:00 p.m. EST. The game will stream on ESPN+.