University of Toledo
EASTERN ILLINOIS
Toledo Prevails in Season Opener Against Eastern Illinois, 4-3
2/23/2007 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
Final Stats
EVANSVILLE, IN - Toledo opened its 2007 season with a 4-3 victory against Eastern Illinois this afternoon at the Dunn Hospitality Classic in Charles H. Braun Stadium. The Rockets scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth frame to emerge victorious in their season-opener for the third time in the last five years.
Juniors Scott Boley (4-for-5, 2 RBI) and Drew Hoisington (2-for-5, run scored) paced the Rockets' attack in the victory over the Panthers.
Freshman Justin Collop (1-0), the fifth of five pitchers used by the Rockets, was credited with the victory. Collop tossed a scoreless ninth inning to win his first collegiate game. Sophomore Jeff Cinadr, senior Matt Meinberg and junior Steve Wenning also saw relief action on the mound in today's opener.
Toledo also received an outstanding starting effort from Kyle Rawlings. The junior threw six innings and surrendered only one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
The game began as a pitcher's duel, with Rawlings and EIU's Brandon Murphy matching zeros through the first five innings. The Panthers finally broke through in the sixth and plated the game's first run on a RBI double by Jason Cobb.
The Rockets quickly countered in the bottom of the sixth with two runs on the strength of three hits. Junior Jake Swint started the rally with a walk and a single to center field by senior Joel Visser put two runners on base. Scott Boley followed with a run-scoring single to left field to again draw the teams even. Senior Ryan Laude also singled to load the bases, before sophomore Josh Colliver hit into a double play up the middle, but Visser scored the go-ahead run.
Toledo added to its lead in the seventh inning to make it a 3-1 contest. With one out, Hoisington singled to right field and stole second base. Swint then executed a beautiful bunt single to put runners at the corners. Scott Boley collected his first RBI of the season two batters later with a single to right center.
The Midnight Blue and Gold would need the two-run cushion heading into the eighth frame, as Eastern Illinois tallied a pair of runs to knot the score at 3-3. Kory Peppenhorst and Richie Derbak collected RBI's in the inning off Wenning.
Despite giving up the lead in the previous inning, Toledo would not be denied in the ninth. Visser led off with a walk and Scott Boley doubled to left field to put runners at first and third. Laude was then intentionally walked to load the bases and setup a force at any base, but Colliver delivered the game-winning score with a fielder's choice to bring home Visser.
Casey Spears was the only EIU player to collect a multi-hit contest, as he finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. Chris Vaculik (0-1), the fourth of four pitchers utilized by the Panthers, was tagged with the loss.
The Rockets return to action tomorrow against Evansville, which is ranked 25th nationally in the latest Baseball America Top 25 poll. The first pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m. (CT).
