University of Toledo
WAYNE STATE
Toledo Downs Wayne State in Non-Conference Action, 9-6
4/3/2003 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
Toledo, OH - Dan Stong's RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning scored the go ahead run for Toledo (9-12) as the Rockets defeated Wayne State (9-8), 9-6, in non-conference action at chilly Scott Park. Stong also led the Midnight Blue and Gold with two hits and a career-high three RBI's.
With the victory, Toledo runs its winning streak to a season-best four straight and improves to 5-0 at home.
"We produced in big situations today, Toledo Head Coach Joe Kruzel said. "We did a very good job offensively of manufacturing runs."
After spotting the Warriors an early 1-0 lead, Toledo tallied four runs in the second inning. The Rockets were aided by a pair of bases loaded walks.
UT increased its lead to 6-1 in the third on a pair of RBI singles by junior J.D. Foust and Stong.
Wayne State jumped back into the game scoring five unanswered runs, including three in the seventh to knot the score at 6-6.
Toledo wrapped up the game in the seventh scoring the two runs, despite collecting one hits. With the bases loaded and one out, Stong hit a grounder to the WSU shortstop scoring the eventual go-ahead run, but the Warrior's second basemen's relay throw to first sailed over their first basemen's head allowing UT to plate the other run and to seal the victory.
"We jumped out to an early lead and all of the sudden the momentum switched and it was in their favor," Kruzel said. "After being ahead 6-1, the next thing you know we're tied in the seventh. Fortunatley, we found a way to score acouple of runs in the seventh and give ourselves to chance to win."
Rocket sophomore hurler Ben Lovell, the second of four pitchers used by the Rockets, tallied his team-leading third win of the season tossing 2.2 innings. Classmate Mitch Hayes followed and got the Rockets out of a huge jam in the eight recording a two-out strikeout with runners on second and third. Junior Kurt Woeste pitched a scoreless ninth to record his third save of the season.
Toledo concludes its four-game homestand tomorrow, as the Rockets host Siena Heights. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Scott Park.
