University of Toledo
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Toledo Drops Series Finale at Eastern Michigan, 19-8
4/27/2003 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
YPSILANTI, MI - Eastern Michigan (18-20, 9-7 MAC) hit five home runs and had 10 extra-base hits in the series finale against Toledo (15-22, 3-13 MAC) claiming a 19-8 win at Oestrike Stadium.
Eastern Michigan's Brian Bixler and Brent Olivier led the offensive charge against five Rocket pitchers hitting two home runs apiece.
Toledo was led offensively by junior Mitch Maier who was 4-for-4 at the plate, while seniors Taylor Eckel and J.D. Foust, junior Sean Dobson and freshman Dan Stong collected two hits apiece. With Maier's four hits today, the Novi, MI native became the school's all-time leader in hits (214) passing Ron Warga (1996-99, 212).
EMU jumped all over UT hurler Ben Lovell in the first inning scoring five runs on three hits and sent the sophomore starter to the showers after recording only one out. The big blow in the frame was a three-run homer by Bixler, who finished with five RBI.
The Eagles increased its led to 8-0 in the second on a Derrick Peterson home run and a two-run double by Tim Clouse.
UT put its first run on the baord in the fourth on a RBI single down the left field line by Foust, scoring Maier who had doubled earlier in the frame.
Eastern Michigan pushed its lead to 10-1 in the bottom of fourth on Bixler's second home run of the day and a RBI single by Olivier.
Toledo again cut into the lead in the sixth to 10-3. Stong led off the frame with a double. He came home on a double to the same spot by Eckel. The Rockets scored their other run on a single up the middle by Maier.
After EMU put two more runs on the scoreboard on Olivier's two-run home run, Toledo scored three in the seventh to pull within six, 12-6. Sophomore Dan Ruth led off with his second home run of the season, a blast to right-center. Later in the inning, the Rockets pounded out four-consecutive singles, including RBI's by Eckel and Maier to pull within striking distance.
EMU finished off its scoring tallying seven-runs in the eighth, including a three-run home run by Olivier and a two-run bases loaded double by Peterson.
Toledo added two runs in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Eckel and a RBI single by Foust to make the final 19-8.
On the mound, Lovell (3-3) suffered the loss, while EMU's Dale Hayes recorded his fourth win of the season (4-2) throwing 6.2 innings and giving up six hits and six runs.
Toledo returns to action on Tuesday, April 29, when the Rockets will host Hillsdale College in non-conference action at Scott Park. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.
