TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo baseball team split its Saturday doubleheader with Bowling Green at Scott Park, winning the second game 12-5 after falling in game one, 5-4.

"We came out a little flat in game one," head coach Rob Reinstetle said. "We had opportunities to score early and just didn't get it done. By allowing them to stay in the game, they were able to string some innings together and score runs. I told the guys the game wasn't won or lost in middle or end, it was lost in the first and second inning. Game two was a different story. I challenged the offense to get back to our hitting ways and they suffocated the BG pitchers scoring in the first four innings. Cal McAninch was really good in relief. Tomorrow is a new day and a great opportunity to win the series against our rivals down I-75."

Toledo trailed 5-0 heading into the sixth inning in game one, then scored four runs in its final two trips to the plate. Chris Meyers provided the big blast, launching a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 5-4. The comeback bid would end there, though, leaving the Rockets a run short.

That was the first of two home runs on the day for Meyers, giving him 15 on the season which ties the program's single-season home run record previously held by Ross Adolph (2018) and Mike Ernst (2000).

"I also need to congratulate Chris Meyers for tying the school record for home runs at 15," Reinstetle said. "He has 10 games to eclipse the record, which would be a sweet topping to his Player of the Year season."

The Rockets attacked Bowling Green's pitchers in game two, scoring 12 runs on 13 hits, including Meyers' record-tying solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. His was one of four homers Toledo hit during the victory, with Darryn Davis, Scott Mackiewicz, and Nicky Winterstein providing the others. Davis and Winterstein both had a game-high three RBIs and Trace Hatfield also provided three hits and scored twice. McAninch was excellent in relief, throwing 4.2 scoreless frames while striking out four. Brendan Collins finished the game with a scoreless top of the seventh, striking out two.

Toledo and Bowling Green conclude their weekend series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Scott Park. The game will be televised locally on BCSN and will also be available on ESPN3.

How it Happened (Game 1)

• Bowling Green struck first with three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-0 lead. Two of those runs came on a two-run double hit deep to center field by Kyle Gurney.
• The Falcons added two more runs to their total in the top of the fourth to put Toledo in a 5-0 hole.
• The Rockets had the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, but could only bring in one run on a bases-loaded walk.
• The first two batters reached for Toledo in the bottom of the seventh, then Meyers brought everyone home with a mammoth home run to right-center field to pull UT within one, 5-4. The comeback bid would stop there though as BG would take the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

 
How it Happened (Game 2)

• The Falcons scored a run in the top of the first on a passed ball to take an early 1-0 lead.
• The Rockets took their first lead of the day with a big bottom of the first, scoring four runs. Hatfield tied the game with a base hit into right field, then Winterstein launched a three-run bomb to make it 4-1.
• BGSU answered right back with four runs in the top of the second to take a 5-4 lead.
• Mackiewicz launched his seventh home run of the year to tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the second.
• Davis blasted a two-run shot in the bottom of the third to put Toledo ahead, 7-5.
• The offensive onslaught continued for the Rockets, with five runs coming across in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 12-5. Meyers started the scoring with his record-tying home run, a solo bomb to right field. Davis, Mason Sykes, and Marcus Strother all drove in runs in the inning to push the Toledo leads to seven.
• McAninch and Collins combined to throw 5.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out six while allowing just four hits and no walks to stifle the Falcons' bats.