Box Score

DeKalb, IL - The University of Toledo baseball team pounded out 14 hits and plated nine runs Friday afternoon as they defeated Northern Illinois, 9-2, in DeKalb, IL at Ralph McKinzie Field. With the victory, Toledo stays three games ahead of Northern Illinois in the MAC West Division at 6-10, while its overall mark improves to 21-22. The Huskies, who have now dropped four in a row, fall to 20-22 overall with a 3-13 Mid-American Conference record.

In the top of the first, the Rockets put their first two hitters on base then got some help from Northern Illinois starter Brad Gavelek. Two straight wild pitches from the Huskie left-hander produced Toledo's first run, then UT's Mike Meinhart grounded out to give the Rockets a two-run lead.

Toledo expanded its lead to 5-1 in the third on freshman DH Brendan Hadley's three-run home run, his third of the season.

The Midnight Blue and Gold plated a run in the sixth and junior Tony Miller's two-run shot in the seventh sealed the victory. Miller, who is now tied for the team lead with nine home runs on the season, helped UT tie the school record for most team roundtrippers in a season (46). The previous best was accomplished during the 1993 season.

Eight of the Rockets' nine starters collected a base hit against two NIU hurlers. Miller led UT finishing 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI. Sophomore Phil Pilewski, Meinhart and Hadley each pounded out hits two apiece to fuel the Rockets' offense.

UT sophomore southpaw Mike DeLong worked seven strong innings to earn the win and improve to 3-0 on the season. A native of Centerville, OH DeLong scattered nine hits and two runs with a strikeout. Freshman Adam Jackson and sophomore Matt Harris each threw one inning of scoreless relief work to complete the win.

The Rockets and Huskies will continue their four-game series tomorrow with a twinbill beginning at 1:00 p.m.