University of Toledo
MERCER
Toledo Falls to Mercer, 8-5
3/9/2005 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
Jacksonville, FL - Five runs in the first two innings doomed Toledo in an 8-5 loss to Mercer at the 2005 Kennel Club Classic in Jacksonville, FL on Tuesday night. It was the first game of a five-game spring break road trip in Florida for the Rockets.
Toledo (1-6) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a leadoff single and two walks to load the bases with no outs. Junior 1B Travis Pilewski lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in the games the first run. Mercer starter Kyle Johnston induced an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
The Bears answered in the bottom of the first when Eric Renfroe led off with a single and stole second. Christian Grossmann singled and advanced Renfroe to third. Brandon Reichert drew a walk to load to bases with no outs. Daniel Hurst hit into a 5-4-3 double play but drove in Mercer's first run on the play.
In the bottom of the second the Bears broke the game open with four runs on three hits, chasing the UT freshman RHP Mike Ellis after facing only three hitters in the second.
Mercer took control for good in the bottom of the seventh when Daniel Hurst drew a walk to leadoff the inning. Andrew Einert then homered for the Bears driving in Hurst and putting the Bears up 7-5. Mark Cimini doubled and advanced to third on an error and scored on a passed ball, making the score 8-5.
In the top of the ninth, Toledo tried to mount a comeback when junior SS Jason Watson hit a one out single and sophomore RF Joel Visser walked to put two on with one out. Watson was caught trying to steal third for the second out of the inning. Josh Young then forced Pilewski to ground out to end the game.
Freshman RHP Steve Wenning (0-2) gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 5.1 innings of relief and suffered the loss.
Josh Young earned the win for Mercer (12-8, 0-3) out of the bullpen by throwing 4.2 scoreless innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
The Rockets will face Jacksonville on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
