Charlotte, NC – Toledo picked up its first win of the 2016 campaign with a 3-2 victory over Charlotte on Friday, Feb. 26 at Hayes Stadium.

Junior LHP Steven Calhoun (1-1) threw five innings and allowed one earned run with three strikeouts to pick up the win for the Rockets.

"We had outstanding pitching today," head coach Cory Mee said. "Steven was great and I loved the way he navigated the game. He made some really clutch pitches to get out of some jams."

UT also had outstanding pitching in relief.  Freshman RHP Casey Johnson threw three scoreless frames and Freshman LHP Michael Jacob picked up his first save of his collegiate career.

"Casey came in, gave us a huge boost and really pitched well," said Mee. "He was aggressive and attacked hitters. Michael did a great job in the ninth inning and made some big pitches with runners in scoring position."

Leading the way for the Rockets offensively was sophomore OF AJ Montoya, who went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored.  Senior SS Deion Tansel knocked in the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

"We created scoring opportunities and cashed in a couple of them during the game," said Mee. "We competed very hard today and didn't flinch in the face of adversity."

Toledo jumped out to an early one run lead in the second as senior C Lucas Sokol fielder's choice scored senior DH Cory Finkler.
 
The Rockets extended the lead to two after senior OF Ryan Callahan hit a sacrifice fly to score Montoya who reached third on a triple.

The 49ers got on the board with an RBI single to cut the lead to one in the same inning.

The Midnight Blue & Gold scored what would be the game-winning run in the fourth. The Rockets hit its second sac fly of the game, this time from Tansel who plated junior 1B Josh Cales.

Charlotte scored a run in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Brett Netzer to make the game 3-2. The niners had the tying run in scoring position, but Jacob would strike out Zach Jarrett to end the game. 

Toledo will be back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader with the 49ers beginning at noon. Senior  LHP Ross Achter and junior RHP Sam Shutes are expected to take the mound for the Rockets.