WINTER HAVEN, FL ? Toledo posted a season high in runs and tied its season-best effort in hits but came up a little short against Bucknell on Wednesday in the RussMatt Invitational, suffering a 14-8 loss at Chain of Lakes Park. The setback snaps the Rockets two-game win streak and drops them to 4-6 on the season.
UT had four players tally multi-hit efforts vs. the Bison (3-8), including junior C Aaron Dudley (2-for-5, 2 RS, 2 RBI), junior LF Josh Wierzba (2-for-4, RBI), sophomore 1B Jim Vahalik (2-for-4, RS) and freshman DH Joe Corfman (2-for-4, RS).
Corfman has been the hottest UT player as of late, recording at least two hits in three of the five games he has appeared in this season.
The Rockets, who were the visitors on the scoreboard, exploded out of the gates with four runs in the first. UT took advantage of four hits and two Bucknell errors in the opening frame to claim the early edge. Dudley and Wierzba were credited with RBI in the inning.
Much to the dismay of Toledo and freshman RHP Alex Radon, the lead did not last long as the home team also plated four runs in their initial at-bat. The big hit in the inning was a two-run double off the bat of Andrew Brouse.
The teams traded single runs in the third, before Bucknell plated six runs in the fifth on the strength of five extra-base hits to blow the game open. The Bisons' Brouse had a two-run home run, while Bob Donato hit a solo roundtripper off freshman RHP reliever Tyler Scott (0-1). BU's Hunter George was also credited with a two-run triple in the frame to make it a six-run difference.
Toledo did not go quietly and mustered three runs in the sixth to make the score 11-8. UT's first run came on a bases loaded walk and was followed by RBI from senior Jake Oester and Dudley.
The score remained the same until the eighth when Bucknell plated three insurance runs to make the final 14-8. Dane Grandizio and Brouse collected RBI in the at-bat, while a wild pitch accounted for the final run.
Toledo put together one final effort in the ninth and had the bases loaded with two outs, but sophomore SS Jared Hoying lined out to first base to end the game.
UT's Scott (0-1) was shouldered with the loss, as he gave up four runs and three hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Bucknell totaled 14 hits in the contest with its second through fifth batters in the lineup - Donato, Drew Constable, Brouse and Grandizio - combining for 11 hits, 11 runs scored and nine RBIs. Donato had the most impressive game, batting 4-for-5 with three runs scored, while hitting for the cycle.
Sean Driscoll earned his first win of the year on the mound. After yielding four runs in the first, the starter limited the Rockets to just one additional tally over his final four innings of work.
Toledo returns to action tomorrow to face Big East member Connecticut in the third of five scheduled games at the RussMatt Invitational. The opening pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.
