It was a solid start to the new era of Akron RubberDucks baseball.
Opening the season at the newly renamed 7 17 Credit Union Park, the RubberDucks won their Opening Day matchup over the Reading Fightin Phils 3-1 April 2.
The highlight of the game came in the third inning when Akron first baseman Ralphy Velazquez belted a no-doubt-about-it home run to left center to make it 2-0.
That proved to be all the runs Akron would need, though center fielder Nick Mitchell added an unearned run in the seventh.
“I saw a heater. I was looking for it, I went for it and the outcome was good,” Velazquez said. “I just have got to stay level-headed, playing my game and keep having fun. It’s going to be a long season.”
Reading had its chances, but five Akron pitchers scattered seven Reading hits and six walks, while striking out 12 batters. Reliver Matt Jachec (1-0) was credited with the win, while Hunter Stanley picked up the save.
Reading’s lone run came on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning by Kehden Hettiger
Check here for live updates, news and analysis from the RubberDucks Opening Day game.
Akron closes it out, defeats Reading 3-1 in season opener
Hunter Stanley on to close it for the RubberDucks. Raylin Heredia leads off with a double,, but is thrown out at third base on a nice relay by the RubberDucks. Austin Murr slaps a single into right. Bryson Ware flies out to center. Aroon Escobar strikes out to end the game.
Akron wins it 3-1.
Akron threatens but does not score; 3-1 as we go to the ninth inning
Alex MacFarlane on to pitch for Reading in the bottom of the eighth, making Angel Genao switch to the left side of the plate. Genao draws the walk. Ralphy Velazquez strikes out swinging. Alfonsin Rosario strikes out swinging. Wuilfredo Antunez legs out an infield single. Jacob Cozart stirkes out.
No runs, one hit, no errors, two left on base. Akron leads it 3-1 as we go to the ninth.
Akron goes back to the bullpen; Reading gets first run of game in eighth inning
Jack Jasiak now pitching for the RubberDucks in the top of the eighth. Carson DeMartini walks to open the inning. Bryan Rincon singles up the middle. Kehden Hettiger flies out to right to sacrifice DeMartini home and make it 3-1 Akron.
Dylan Campbell strikes out on a check swing. Rincon moves to second. Alex Binelas strikes out swinging.
One run, one hit, no errors, one man left on base. Akron leads 3-1 in the middle of the eighth.
New pitcher on for Reading; Akron benefits from two errors to stretch lead
Reading goes back to the bullpen as Levi Stoudt now pitching.
Jacob Cozart greets him with double to left. However, Cozart is out at third after a bunt from Mitchell turns into a fielder’s choice. Mitchell advances to second on a throwing error. Joe Lampe pops out to the third baseman. Alex Mooney grounds to third… an errant throw allows Mooney on and brings Mitchell into score. It’s 3-0 RubberDucks with Mitchell on second.
Jose Devers strikes out looking, but the RubberDucks stretch the lead to 3-0 after seven innings.
Alaska Abney on to pitch for Akron; Reading still held scoreless
Akron has gone to Alaska – Alaska Abney now pitching for the RubberDucks.
The submariner strikes out Alex Binelas to start the seventh inning, followed by a strikeout of Raylin Herdia. Austin Murr singles to left. Bryson Ware walks. Aroon Escobar strikes out looking as Alaska strikes out the side.
No runs, 1 hit, no errors, two left on base. Akron still leads 2-0 in the middle of the seventh.
New pitcher for Reading; Akron retired in order in the sixth
Reading goes to the bullpen as Colin Peluse is now pitching.
Ralphy Velazquez with a smash, but right at the right fielder, Peluse then struck out the next two batters. It’s 2-0 Akron after six inning.
Reading goes down in order in the sixth
Bryan Rincon strikes out to open the sixth inning. Kehden Hettiger flies out to deep left. Dylan Campbell strikes out swinging.
Three up, three down for the Phils. Still 2-0 in the middle of the sixth inning.
RubberDucks held scoreless in the fifth inning
Alex Mooney leads off by legging out an infield single, but he is caught stealing by the Phil. Jose Devers draws a walk. Top of the order, Angel Genao grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
No runs, one hit, no errors, no left on base. Akron leads 2-0 after five innings.
New pitcher for Akron; Reading held scoreless in fifth inning
RubberDucks go to the bullpen, as Matt Jachec pitches to star t the fifth inning.
Austin Murr leads off with a single to right. Bryson Ware is robbed of a single by Alex Mooney. Aroon Escobar flies out to short right. Carson DeMartini flies out to deep right.
No runs, one hit, no errors, one left on base. It’s still 2-0 Akron in the middle of the fifth.
RubberDucks go 1-2-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning
Jacob Cozart leads off the bottom of the fourth by striking out. Mitchell grounds out to first base. Joe Lampe strikes out looking.
Three up, three down for the RubberDucks. It’s 2-0 Akron after four innings.
Reading goes 1-2-3 in the fourth inning
Dylan Campbell leads off the fourth inning with pop out to short center field. Bineles grounds out to second base. Heredia grounds out to the shortstop.
Three up, three down for the Fightin Phils. Akron leads 2-0 in the middle of the fourth.
RubberDucks take 2-0 lead thanks to Ralphy Velazquez home run
In the bottom of the third, Akron third baseman Jose Devers leads off with a fly out to right. Genao singles up the middle.
Velazquez steps in and drives it to deep right center… home run! Ralphy Velazquez with his first home run of the season to make it 2-0 Akron.
Rosario with a fly out to deep left. Antunez strikes out swinging.
Two runs, two hits, no errors, no one left on. Ralphy Velazquez’ home run makes it 2-0 Akron after three innings.
Reading draws four walks but does not score in third.
In the top of the third inning, Reading first baseman Bryson Ware draws a lead-off walk. Escobar up, but Ware is thrown out trying to steal by Cozart. Escobar walks. DeMartini walks. Rincon up after three straight walks. However, Cozart throws out his second runner of the inning at second base. Ricon walks, Double steal by the Phils has men on second and third. However, Hettinger flies out to end the inning.
No runs, no hits, no errors, two left on base. Still 0-0 in the middle of the third.
RubberDucks get hit, does not score in the second inning
Akron leads off the bottom of the second with catcher Jason Cozart hitting a single to left center. Center fielder Nick Mitchell flies out to center. Designated hitter Joe Lampe strikes out swinging. Second baseman Alex Mooney strikes out swinging.
No runs, ! hit, no errors, 1 left on base. The game remains scoreless after two innings.
Reading retired in order in top of the second inning
In the top of the second, designate hitter Alex Binelas leads off with a fly out to left. Right fielder Raylin Heredia strikes out looking. Left fielder Austin Murr strikes out looking.
Reading goes three up, three down. Still tied at 0-0 middle of second inning.
RubberDucks held scoreless in the first inning
Reading with Adam Seminaris on the mound.
Akron leading off with shortstop Angel Genao. Genao strikes out swinging. First basebman Ralphy Velazquez draws a walk. Right fielder Alfonsin Rosario strikes out swinging. Leftfield Wuilfredo Antunex grounds out to first.
No runs, no hits, no errors, 1 left on base. It’s tied 0-0 after one inning.
Reading threatens in top half of first inning, but does not score
Aroon Escobar leads off with a bloop single to center. Third baseman Carson DeMartini with a solid single to right. Shortstop Bryon Rincon struck out swinging. Catcher Kehen Hettinger strikes out looking. Center fielder Dylan Campbell pops out to third base in foul territory.
No runs, 2 hits, no errors, 2 men left on base. It’s 0-0 in the middle of the first inning with the RubberDucks coming to bat.
Play ball for the RubberDucks here in the downtown Akron
Akron RubberDucks take the field with Khal Stephen on the mound for the home team.
Reading leads off with second baseman Aroon Escobar. And we;’re underway on Main Street in downtown Akron.
RubberDucks introduced to the crowd
The full team is being introduced to the crowd. Solid crowd assembling in and round 7 17 Credit Union Park (It’s going to be tough to not call it Canal Park). Weather looks to be just about perfect.
Akron’s starting line up coming into the stadium via convertible cars.
Starting lineups for Akron RubberDucks vs Reading Fightin Phils
What is the weather like at 7 17 Credit Union Park?
After storms on April 1, the weather will be much warmer and dryer for the first pitch.
Temperatures will be in the low 70s at game time with partially cloudy skies. Winds gusts from the south could reach 25 mph.
Who are key players this year for the RubberDucks?
The RubberDucks will feature several top prospects in the Cleveland Guardians farm system.
Perhaps the highest rated is shortstop Angel Genao, who is the lone member of the team also on the Guardians 40-man roster. Last year in 77 games at Akron, Genao hit .259 with two home runs, four triples, 17 doubles and 37 RBIs. He is ranked as the Guardians’ No. 3 prospect by MLB.com.
Ralphy Velazquez will also begin his first full season in Akron. The 20-year-old California native will see time at first base and outfield, but is best regarded for his bat. Velazquez smacked 22 home runs last year, including five during a brief time with the RubberDucks.
The RubberDucks’ Opening Day starter will be Khal Stephen, who joined the team after a midseason 2025 trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. Pitching for four different teams in 2025, Stephen went 9-2 with a 2.53 ERA.
Manager Greg DiCenzo will lead the RubberDucks for the third year.
Michael Leonard can be reached at mleonard@recordpub.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron RubberDucks Opening Day vs. Reading, Ducks hold on for win
Reporting by Michael Leonard, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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