RICHMOND, KY ? Toledo opened its 2008 season with a 9-7 victory against Bucknell this morning at the Early Bird Tournament in Turkey Hughes Field. The Rockets scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to emerge victorious in their season-opener for the fourth time in the last six years.

Sophomore Ryan Satterlee (3-for-4, 2 runs scored) and juniors Jake Oester (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Josh Colliver (2-for-5, RBI), as well as senior Nate McKeon (2-for-4, 2 RBI) paced the Rockets' attack in the victory over the Bisons.

"This is a great way to start the season," Toledo Head Coach Cory Mee said. "We got great contributions from a lot of different players in today's win." 

Freshman Matt Kuna (1-0), the second of three pitchers used by the Rockets, was credited with the victory. Kuna tossed three innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts to win his first collegiate game. Junior Jeff Cinadr pitched a scoreless ninth frame to collect the save.  

Toledo also received a quality starting effort from Kyle Rawlings. The senior threw five innings and surrendered four runs on six hits with three strikeouts.

The Midnight Blue and Gold plated single runs in the first, second and fifth innings, before tallying six runs in the game-changing seventh frame.  

Five different Bucknell players tallied multi-hit efforts in the loss, including Austin Turban and John Avanzino, who each belted a home run. David Solan (0-1), the second of three pitchers utilized by the Bisons, was tagged with the loss.

The Rockets return to action tomorrow for game game against host Eastern Kentucky. The first pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m.