MUNCIE, Ind. - The Toledo baseball team came up short in both games of a twinbill at Ball State in Mid-American Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

In game one, the Rockets fell behind 3-0 and were down 5-1 entering the final inning. Toledo rallied for a pair of runs in the ninth but ultimately came up short, 5-3.

In the nightcap, the Midnight Blue & Gold burst out to a 5-0 lead with three tallies in the first and two more in the second. The big inning hurt the Rockets as the Cardinals fought back with a five-run fourth inning and a five-run eighth frame to seal a 10-5 final count.

GAME ONE

The Rockets (14-32, 7-10 MAC) fell behind from the beginning and had to work the rest of the game to catch the competition. Ball State plated a pair of runs in the opening inning on three-straight singles and a Toledo fielding error. 

Ball State (24-22, 11-9 MAC) added a run to make it 3-0 in the second with a solo home run off Toledo senior starter Steven Calhoun. 

Toledo responded with a run in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 3-1. Freshman Michael Ryan kicked off the inning with a double to center and scored on an RBI single by sophomore Riley Campbell.

Calhoun settled in after the first two innings to keep the Cardinals at bay. Calhoun put up zeros in the third, fourth and fifth but the Rocket offense was unable to mount an attack. 

BSU chased home single runs on an RBI groundout in the sixth and a RBI sacrifice bunt in the seventh to make the score 5-1 going to the ninth.

Toledo's last gasp comeback attempt netted the visitors two runs. Senior Jake Krupar singled and Ryan walked to put two runners aboard. Junior Brad Boss knocked in Krupar with an RBI base knock.

Campbell recorded a base hit to left to load the bases and junior Dalton Bollinger was hit by a pitch to force home a run. The Rockets could do no further damage as the game ended with the tying run on second base.

Calhoun (3-4) took the loss in a complete game effort. This was Calhoun's second complete game outing. He has taken the loss on both occasions. Colin Brockhouse picked up the win and John Baker recorded the save for Ball State.

GAME TWO

Toledo took the lead just three batters into the game on the strength of just one hit. Boss walked on five pitches to start the inning and Campbell was hit by a pitch. Junior Matt Hansen laced an RBI double down the right field line to easily score Boss from second. Bollinger chased home Campbell with a sacrifice fly and Hansen alertly took third on the play. Hansen was then able to score on a sac fly by Montoya to take a 3-0 lead.

The Rockets added to their advantage with two more in the top of the second. Ryan singled in the leadoff spot and scored on an RBI double by Boss. Boss tallied the Rockets' fifth run of the game on an RBI single by Campbell.

Ball State climbed its way back into the game with a five-run outburst in the home half of the fourth. The big blow in the inning was a three-run home run to tie the game at 5-5. Toledo senior starter Sam Shutes finished the inning and recorded two outs in the fifth but left the game with a no-decision.

Sophomore Nate Haugh replaced Shutes and was lights out through 2.1 innings. The Cardinals figured out Haugh in the eighth and put the first five batters of the inning on base with four hits and an intentional walk. All five runners would score to make the score 10-5.

Haugh (1-3) took the loss for UT as Brendan Burns earnd the win in relief for Ball State.

The two teams meet for the series finale tomorrow, May 7, at 1:00 p.m.