VERO BEACH, FL - Toledo was unable to overcome an early deficit and fell to Ohio State, 7-1, in the first game of the Historic Dodgertown Classic on Friday held at Holman Stadium.

"It was good to get started," head coach Cory Mee said.  "The result wasn't what we were hoping for, but I like the way we went out and competed."

Sophomore AJ Montoya hit a solo home run that sailed over the left field fence to put the Rockets on the board for its only run of the game. Montoya led the team in round trippers last spring with nine and went 2-for-4 on the day.

"I thought AJ looked really good offensively today," Mee said. "As a whole, I liked our approach at the plate. We just need to continue to have good at-bats."

Senior Ryan Callahan also went 2-for-4 with a double for the Rockets, while senior Dan Zuchowski added a two-base hit as well.

Toledo stranded seven runners on base, including two in the second, fourth and sixth innings. UT went 2-for-10 with runners on base and 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position during today's season-opening contest.

Ohio State jumped out in front early, as the Buckeyes hit a solo home run in the first frame and scored on a bases loaded wild pitch in the second. Senior LHP Steven Calhoun limited the damage with four strikeouts through the first three innings.

OSU struck again in the fifth when it plated a run on a throwing error. After a pitching change, freshman Casey Johnson made his collegiate debut for the Rockets and gave up a two-run home run that sailed just over the left field foul pole to make the contest 5-0. 

Calhoun (0-1) was tagged with the loss, giving up four runs with five punchouts in 4.2 innings.

Ohio State's Troy Montgomery hit a two-run home run off Johnson in the sixth to extend the lead to seven. Johnson surrendered three earned run with three strikeouts in 2.1 frames of relief work.

Montoya hit the solo shot in the eighth inning to break up the shutout. Freshman Parker Ruffer also made his collegiate debut, pitching one inning and striking out one. 

Toledo continues the Historic Dodgertown Classic on Saturday, Feb. 20 against Pittsburgh at 11:00 a.m. in Game One of the doubleheader. UT will also take on Niagara at 6:00 p.m.