University of Toledo
Kent State
Toledo Sweeps Doubleheader at Kent State
3/28/2004 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, OH - The University of Toledo baseball team (6-12, 2-1 MAC) wrapped up its first Mid-American Conference series at Kent State today in fine fashion, sweeping a doubleheader at sunny Gene Michael Field. The Rockets utilized a six-run fifth inning in the opener to propel themselves to a 7-4 victory, before registering a 1-0 triumph in 10 innings in a pitchers duel in the nightcap.
"The formula for success in baseball is to have good pitching and solid defense," Toledo Head Coach Cory Mee said. "This weekend we had both which kept us in each game and gave us a chance to win. Fortunately today, we had players step up and deliver in the clutch. I couldn't be happier for this team. They really earned the two wins today."
After Kent State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in game one, Toledo exploded in the top of the fifth with six runs to take a 6-3 advantage. Sophomore 3B Dan Stong got the Rockets on the board first when his single drove home redshirt freshman 1B Ryan Laude from third. Senior CF Sean Dobson then followed with a single through the left side of the infield to score two more. The backbreaker came when senior LF Shawn Hurst launched a three-run homer off KSU starter Jason Brunke to left-center to cap off the offensive explosion for the Midnight Blue and Gold.
Junior RHP J.R. Duffey (2-3) picked up the win for Toledo, going 8.1 innings, allowing six hits, one earned run and four strikeouts. Senior RHP Mitch Hayes retired the final two batters to garner his first save of the 2004 campaign. Brunke (2-3) took the loss for Kent State, scattering nine hits and six runs to go with four K's in 4.1 innings.
Game two was a pitchers duel between Toledo junior RHP Nick Szczur and Kent State's Justin Laraway. Both pitchers were magnificent as Szczur went 8.0 innings, striking out eight and giving up just five hits. Laraway worked 7.0 innings, surrendering three hits and no runs while striking out 10.
The play of the game, however, came in the top of the tenth when Dobson smacked a sharp single to left-center off KSU reliever Phil Bojc, scoring UT senior RF Jarrod Resendez from second for the game's only run.
Senior RHP Raul Lopez (1-0) collected the victory, working 2.0 innings, allowing two hits with four strikeouts.
Both teams had their scoring chances during the game, but excellent pitching and solid defense on both sides forced the teams to play an extra frame.
The Rockets will be back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 30 when they battle Oakland in their home opener at the Baseball Complex at Scott Park at 2:00 p.m. UT will then hit the road the following day when it travels to Dayton to take on the Wright State Raiders at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 31.
