University of Toledo
IPFW
Toledo Registers 12-7 Win over IPFW
3/24/2003 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
FORT WAYNE, IN - The Toledo baseball team pounded out 20 hits Monday afternoon and scored five runs in both the first and sixth inning to defeat IPFW, 12-7, in non-conference action at the IPFW Baseball Field.
With the victory, the Rockets improve to 4-8 on the season, while the Mastodons fall to 5-7-1.
"After playing these last two days, I feel we are now starting to get ourselves into a rhythm," Toledo Head Coach Joe Kruzel said. "I'm was very pleased with the way we swung the bats and at the same time our defense and pitching has been a lot better."
Eight of the nine Toledo starters collected at least two hits, with senior RF Jay Juras (3-for-6, two runs, one RBI) and juniors Mitch Maier (3-for-6, one run) and Chris Arvay (3-for-5, 2 RBI, one run) leading the way offensively.
Sophomore Ben Lovell (2-1) picked up the victory for the Midnight Blue and Gold, allowing three runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings of work. Junior Shawn Hurst was equally impressive throwing the final 3.1 innings in relief.
"I take my hat off to Ben and Shawn," Kruzel said. "They both pitched outstanding today. When they were faced with trouble, they both dug a little deeper and did a nice job keeping IPFW in check. "
Toledo jumped all over IPFW starter David Zachary (1-2) in the opening half inning tallying five runs on six hits and sent the hurler to the showers after recording only one out.
Junior Sean Dobson got things rolling with a single to lead off the inning. After a walk to senior Taylor Eckel, Maier singled to load the bases. Toledo tallied the game's first run when Dobson scored on a passed ball. Juras and senior J.D. Foust recorded back-to-back singles plating two more Rocket runs to make the score 3-0. Sophomore Dan Ruth then doubled scoring Juras, before Arvay finished off the big first inning with a single down the left field line scoring Foust.
In the sixth inning, Toledo continued to pour it on and led 10-0 the Rockets once again added five more runs to the scoreboard as they had 10 batters face IPFW pitching. Eckel led off the inning when he reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. After a single by Juras to put two runners on base, senior Phil Pilewski singled plating Eckel. After another single by Foust, Ruth again cracked a double, scoring both base runners. Arvay singled scoring Foust and freshman Dan Stong singled driving in Ruth.
IPFW scored three runs in the sixth and the seventh inning to pull with four at 10-6, before Toledo quickly retaliated with its final two runs in the eighth to seal the victory. The Mastodons did tally a single run in the ninth off UT reliever Shawn Hurst to make the final, 12-7.
Toledo returns to action tomorrow, as the Rockets travel to South Bend, IN to battle national power Notre Dame. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Frank Eck Stadium.
