Cedar Falls, IA - Toledo (1-4) closed out the UNI-Dome Classic with a doubleheader split on Sunday thanks to an outstanding effort by the Rockets' offense that scored 17 runs on 18 hits and zero errors in a 17-5 victory Nebraska-Omaha. The Rockets started the day with an 8-6 loss to Montana.
 
"We saw some losses this weekend, but we truly got better each game," said head coach Kristen Butler. "Every game our hitting and pitching got better. We just had to hone in and focus in on the process. Once we started fine-tuning the little things in our game we saw some improvements."
 
Sophomore Katie Cozy went 4-for-5 in the victory vs. UNO, including her first-career grand slam in the top of the fifth frame and a two-run homer to start off an electric seventh inning for the Rockets.
 
 "Katie has the ability to hit with a lot of power and she has the ability to be a consistent hitter for us in the lineup," added Butler. "She learned a lot about the game during her freshman season. She has taken the advantage of her starting position this year and has really stepped up to the challenge."
 
GAME 1
Toledo started its day off with a close loss to Montana. The Grizzlies plated three quick runs in the opening inning off of a pair of home runs. Senior Ashley Maynard responded in the second frame with a three-run homer to tie up the game.
 
Montana added a run in the third and two in the fourth to take back its lead. Toledo was able to come within one in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single by freshman Samantha Golden and an RBI double by Maynard.
 
The Grizzlies plated two runs in the seventh to extend their lead. The Rockets were only able to add one one more run off of a double from senior Celeste Fidge.
 
Freshman Leah Allison (3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) recorded her first loss for the Rockets.
 
"Ashley Maynard is playing exceptionally for us defensively as catcher and offensively at the plate," said Butler. "She works extremely hard in practice and it paid off this weekend. She hit extremely well today, going 4-for-5 overall, and has definitely been leading by example."
 
GAME 2
Fidge put UT on the board in the top of the first with an RBI single that brought in junior Ashley Rausch from second. The Rockets then added another run when Golden singled to left field, allowing senior Maynard to cross the plate. Maynard had previously reached on a walk.
 
UNO responded with a two-run homer and an RBI single in the home-half of the inning to put the Mavericks in the lead.
 
The lead switched hands in the second when freshman Morgan Paaverud plated a run on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Megan Choate, and freshman Maddie Emery scored on an RBI single by Rausch. UNO tied the ball game with a run in the fourth inning.
 
The Rockets scored four in the fifth frame on Cozy's grand slam. The Mavs plated their last run of the contest in the bottom of the inning.
 
 "I knew I was swinging at the first pitch," said Cozy. "I didn't feel too much pressure because our whole team was very confident. We were all playing well and having so much fun."
 
The Rockets turned up the heat in the seventh inning and never looked back. Cozy hit a two-run bomb to start off UT's nine-run frame. Showalter followed with an RBI double to score Golden who had reached on a single, and then Rice tripled to deep center field to bring home Showalter. Rausch's single allowed Rice to plate the Rockets' fifth run of the inning. Maynard hit her second three-run bomb of the day to score Rausch and Fidge, who had reached first after being hit by a pitch. Cozy closed out Toledo's scoring with a run on a wild pitch and a UNO error.
 
Sophomore Heather Webb notched her first victory of the season after throwing four strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

"We moved some people around and we switched up the lineup against Omaha," said Butler. "It got people more involved and really caused everyone to be focused and ready to go. Hitting is contagious and it puts pressure on the defense and pitcher. Our offense was tremendous and it finally all came together. I was very proud of them," said Butler.