AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — The Akron Zips erupted for six runs in the first inning and never looked back, cruising to an 11-1 victory over the Youngstown State Penguins in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday evening at InfoCision Stadium.

The game, a rematch of a March 31 slugfest won 11-10 by Akron, lacked the same drama as the Zips seized control immediately against Youngstown State starter Brevin Smith. Akron sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on two walks, three doubles and timely hitting to build an insurmountable lead.

The most important part of the game was that decisive first-inning outburst. After a quiet top half, Akron’s Kelton Phillips and Gabe Mathison worked walks. Brody Chrisman then singled through the left side to score Phillips. Following a strikeout, Brady Bowen delivered the key blow, a two-run double to left center that scored Mathison and Chrisman. Mitchel Szymczak followed with an RBI double, Prince DeBoskie added another run-scoring double and Kyle McConachie capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, staking the Zips to a 6-0 lead before many in the evening crowd had settled.

That offensive support was more than enough for Akron starter John Allen, who rebounded strongly from recent struggles. The right-hander, tagged for four earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning in his last appearance on April 10, silenced the Penguins over four scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out two. He was named the top star of the game for his pivotal bounce-back performance.

Youngstown State’s lone run came in the sixth inning off reliever Josiah Ross. Nathan Beckley singled, Brady Shannon walked and Teddy Ruffner drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Beckley. The Penguins managed just three hits total on the night.

Akron padded its lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings, the latter on a solo inside-the-park home run to center field by Chrisman. The Zips put the game fully out of reach with three runs in the seventh, two scoring on wild pitches by Youngstown State reliever Braedon Davis.

Bowen led the Akron offense, going a perfect 3 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Chrisman finished 2 for 4 with the home run and two RBIs. Szymczak also had two hits and an RBI.

For Youngstown State, reliever Kale Wemer provided a bright spot after entering in the first inning. He threw 4 2/3 innings of hitless relief, allowing one unearned run and striking out four.

The victory improved Akron’s season record to 15-20, while Youngstown State fell to 5-29. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a narrow 3-2 Akron victory.

Akron next hosts Northern Illinois for a three-game series beginning Friday. Youngstown State travels to face Central Michigan on Wednesday before a weekend series at Oakland.