TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo (14-23, 2-3 MAC) dominated Buffalo (6-27, 2-3 MAC) to collect its first two Mid-American Conference victories on Saturday afternoon in its home opener at Scott Park. A four-run fourth inning propelled UT to a 6-3 victory in Game 1, before it banged out 11 hits in a two-hit shutout from sophomore RHP Kailey Minarchick to complete the doubleheader sweep over the Bulls, 7-0.
 
Freshman Alissa Noble (3-6) collected the win in Game 1 after throwing four innings of relief work. Noble did not permit any runs or hits, while retiring three and walking one in the contest. Sophomore starter Heather Webb allowed three runs on eight hits and struck out three in three frames.
 
For Minarchick (4-8), the two-hitter marked her first shutout as a Rocket. The Columbia Station, Ohio product struck out three and walked two during her second complete game of the season.
 
Toledo 6, Buffalo 3
The Rockets' offense was led by senior 2B Chandler Rice, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Rice also tallied two doubles, which makes her the sole record holder at Toledo with 44 career doubles. She was previously tied for first with Rhonda King (1987-90) with 42.
 
UB jumped on the board first with a two-run double by shortstop Janelle Martinez in the top of the second inning.
 
Toledo's offense got to work in the bottom of the second thanks to a hit batter and an infield single by senior C Ashley Maynard. Sophomore SS Megan Choate drove an RBI single to left center to score freshman DP Samantha Golden from second and put UT on the board, 2-1.
 
Buffalo put two runners aboard in the third thanks to consecutive singles to center field. The Bulls added one to their scoreboard total after an RBI single through the left side by third baseman Catrell Robertson brought a runner home.
 
The Rockets answered back with a run of their own whenvsenior RF Celeste Fidge executed a sacrifice fly that allowed Rice to cross the plate.
 
Toledo loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth off a hit batter, fielder's choice and Buffalo fielding error. Rice's RBI double to right scored Maynard and Choate to give UT its first lead of the game, 4-3. Junior CF Ashley Rausch knocked in the last two runs off her single to center.
 
Toledo 7, Buffalo 0
Seven Rockets contributed at least one hit in the nightcap. Fidge (2-for-4), Maynard (2-for-2), junior LF Kylie Gross (2-for-4) and junior 1B Samantha Showalter (2-for-3) each recorded a pair of hits and a run scored.
 
UT managed the game's initial scoring threat during the bottom of the second after Maynard and Choate both got on with two-out singles. Gross drove a single down the left-field line off the first pitch that allowed Choate and Maynard to score a pair of runs. Rice's RBI single to right brought home Gross that closed out the inning's scoring.
 
Toledo added more to its total in the third after Heinritz grounded out to second which permitted Showalter to score. Maynard followed with a two-out single through the left side to bring home Fidge and bring UT's lead to 5-0.
 
The Midnight Blue & Gold added valuable insurance on the board in the fourth frame. With Rausch and Showalter on base following an infield single and a fielder's choice, respectively, a double down the right-field line by Fidge brought home UT's sixth and seventh tallies.
 
Minarchick's no-hitter was spoiled with one down in the top of the sixth as sophomore Ally Power and junior Taylor Scott connected for singles. Toledo finished off the two-hit shutout by getting Scott out on a fielder's choice and by Minarchick getting her third K.

By the end of the day, Rice climbed into first place all-time at Toledo with 317 total bases in her career.

Tomorrow's series finale is slated to begin at Noon at Scott Park.