DeKalb, IL – Toledo used three two-run innings and a three-run inning to take down Northern Illinois (19-26, 12-7 MAC), 9-8, at Ralph McKinzie Field on Friday, May 6. The Rockets snapped a seven-game winning streak by NIU and improved to 11-34-1 overall and 6-10 in the MAC.
 
Sophomore Matt Hansen was a triple away from hitting for the cycle, and picked up a single, double and home run while knocking home four RBI and scoring three runs. The Rockets picked up 12 hits against NIU, and senior RF Cory Finkler stayed hot, picking up one RBI in a multi-hit day. Sophomore DH Brad Boss and Senior 3B John Martillotta also plated one RBI.
 
Junior LHP Steven Calhoun earned his third win of the year after tossing 6.2 frames and striking out five batters in an 87 pitch outing. Sophomore RHP Nolan Silberhorn, junior LHP Alex Wagner and junior RHP Josh Cales pitched in relief for the Rockets. Silberhorn did not allow a run in 1.0 inning.
 
Toledo jumped on the board in the first with a Martillotta single to score Finkler. Senior SS Deion Tansel made the game 2-0 after scoring on a wild pitch. NIU responded with a run in the bottom-half of the inning with a Stephen Letz single.
 
Hansen ripped a two-run home run down the left field to give the Midnight Blue & Gold a 4-1 advantage. The Huskies tied the game in the bottom-half of the frame with two singles and a fielder's choice.
 
NIU took the lead in a back-and-forth battle in the fourth with a home run, and made the game 6-4 in the next inning with a single to center field.
 
UT was back on the scoreboard in the sixth with a Hansen single to right field. Boss tied the game with a single through the right side of the infield to score Hansen.
 
Hansen continued his huge game in the seventh and gave the Rockets the lead with a two-RBI double to score senior C Lucas Sokol and sophomore CF AJ Montoya. Finkler scored Hansen on what would be the game-winning run with a single to give UT a 9-6 advantage.
 
NIU hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth but was unable to tie the game.
 
Toledo will be back in action against Northern Illinois on Saturday, May 7 at 1:05 p.m. (CT) for game two of the series at Ralph McKinzie Field.