University of Toledo
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Baseball: Toledo Sweeps Eastern Michigan in Doubleheader
4/20/2002 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
TOLEDO, OH - Sophomore C/RF Mitch Maier went 4-for-8 with two RBI and three runs scored, while junior 1B Phil Pilewski finished 4-for-7 with a home run to lead Toledo (11-20, 4-7 MAC) to a doubleheader sweep (6-4, 6-2) over Eastern Michigan (18-19, 10-5 MAC) at Scott Park. The two victories snap the Rockets' four-game losing skid.
In the opener, Maier led off the first with a single to right-center. After a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by 2B Taylor Eckel to advance him to second, junior 3B J.D. Foust gave the Rockets their first lead of the series with his sixth home run of the season.
Foust doubled the Rockets lead in the second frame with a two-out, two-run single.
Behind by four runs EMU began to mount a charge. In the fourth, the Eagles put three runs on the board on the strength of back-to-back, two-out hits by Jesse Cogswell and Todd Kimling. EMU then tied the score in the fifth on a single by Tony Palazzolo.
Not to be outdone, Toledo reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by sophomore C Mike Meridieth, scoring Pilewski, who led off the frame with a walk.
The Midnight Blue and Gold added an insurance run in the sixth to make the final, 6-4.
Foust led three Rockets with two hits and a season-high four RBI. Maier (2-for-4, two run scored) and Pilewski (2-for-2, run scored) also tallied multiple hits in the contest.
Toledo starting pitcher freshman Todd Thomas (1-0) threw 5.2 strong innings to pick up his first collegiate victory. Closer Matt Harris threw a perfect seventh inning for his team-leading third save of the season.
In the second game, EMU scored first in the third inning on a single through the left side by Palazzolo.
Toledo put three runs on the board in the fourth and never looked back behind a two-run RBI single by Maier, followed by a single by Eckel.
After EMU cut the Rocket lead to one in the fifth, Toledo made the score 4-2 in the bottom of the inning on Pilewski's second home run of the season.
Toledo added two runs in the sixth to complete the doubleheader sweep. With runners on first and second, Pilewski laced a single up the middle, advancing both runners one base, but EMU centerfielder Greg Anglin misplayed the ball and allowed both runners to score and sent starting pitcher Anthony Tomey (3-4) to the showers.
Junior RHP Nick Szczur (3-3) was masterful for the Midnight Blue and Gold throwing his team-leading second complete game of the season. He limited the Eagles to seven hits and only one walk, while fanning three.
Junior CF Sean Dobson (3-for-5, RBI) and Eckel (3-for-3, runs scored) led the Rockets in the nightcap with three hits apiece.
The two teams square off again in the series finale tomorrow at Scott Park at 2:00 p.m.
