Toledo dropped the middle game of the series with Duke, 6-1, at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday, March 5. With the loss, the Rockets fall to 1-8-1 on the year.

"I liked the attitude and approach of our team. "We're just a few pitches away from where we want to be. Defensively, I liked the way we played."

Senior LHP Ross Achter picked up the loss for UT.  Achter finished the day throwing 4.2 innings, allowing six earned runs and striking out one.  Senior RHP Caleb Schillace made his first appearance of the year and senior RHP Kevin Kline also saw action in relief and both did not allow an earned run. 

"It's great to see Caleb back on the mound," said Mee. "To see putting a couple zeros on the board is good.  It's a big step for him and our team."

Sophomore 2B Matt Hansen led the way offensively with one RBI during a 1-for-4 day.  Senior 3B John Martillotta also had one run during a 1-for-3 day. 

Duke scored first when Achter threw a wild pitch that scored Ryan Day. The Blue Devils threatened again in the third, but Achter made a great sliding play and throw from the ground to get the runner trying to take home to end the inning.

DU added to its lead in the fifth with a Jack Labosky two RBI double to extend the lead to three.  Griffin Conine put a single up the middle to score Labosky and make the game 4-0 in the same inning. Senior RHP Caleb Schillace made his first appearance of the season.  Day hit a double off of Schillace to increase the Duke lead to 6-0.  Both runs were credited to Achter. 

Toledo got on the board on in the eighth as Hansen singled to score senior Martillotta.  The Rockets would load the bases, but could not plate another runner and the score remained 6-1.

The Rockets will conclude the series with Duke tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. RHP Junior Sam Shutes is expected to take the mound for the Midnight Blue & Gold.