Reading Fightin Phils Drop Season Opener in Akron

Offense struggles as Phils fall 3-1 to RubberDucks

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:43pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of green, red, and black, representing the fragmented action and energy of a baseball game.A cubist interpretation of the Fightin Phils' season-opening loss captures the fragmented action and energy of the game.Akron Today

The Reading Fightin Phils opened their 2026 season with a 3-1 loss to the Akron RubberDucks on Thursday night. Despite a three-hit performance from Austin Murr in his organizational debut, the Phils managed just one run as Akron took an early lead and held on for the victory.

Why it matters

The Fightin Phils are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and get off to a strong start in 2026. This opening day loss against a divisional opponent is a setback, but the team will look to rebound in the remaining two games of the series.

The details

Akron jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run home run by Ralphy Velasquez. They added another run in the seventh to make it 3-0 before Reading finally got on the board with a sacrifice fly by Kehden Hettiger in the eighth. Starter Adam Seminaris took the loss for the Phils, allowing two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts in his Reading debut.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • Akron scored two runs in the third inning and one in the seventh.
  • Reading scored their lone run in the top of the eighth inning.

The players

Austin Murr

A three-hit performer in his Phillies organizational debut.

Angel Genao

Reached base and scored the first run for Akron in the third inning.

Ralphy Velasquez

Hit a two-run home run in the third inning to give Akron a 2-0 lead.

Adam Seminaris

The Reading starting pitcher, who took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits in his debut.

Kehden Hettiger

Drove in Reading's lone run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.

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What they’re saying

“We just couldn't get the bats going tonight. Akron jumped out early and their pitching held us down. We'll look to bounce back tomorrow.”

— Reading Manager Shawn Williams

What’s next

The Fightin Phils will look to even the series on Friday night when they face the RubberDucks again at 7:17 PM. Kyle Brnovich is scheduled to start for Reading, while Akron will counter with Josh Hartle.

The takeaway

While the Fightin Phils came up short in their season opener, there are still 139 games left in the season. The team will need to quickly put this loss behind them and focus on evening the series tomorrow night as they look to get their 2026 campaign back on track.