TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo baseball team opens its 2022 season this weekend with a four-game series at Belmont.

Opening Day for the Rockets is Friday, Feb. 18 at 5:00 p.m. That will be followed by a seven-inning doubleheader on Saturday and the series finale on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. both days.

Toledo is coming off a 23-33 season in 2021 where it finished fifth in the MAC with a 21-19 conference ledger. UT was buoyed by an explosive offense that led the conference in extra-base hits (187) and slugging percentage (.459), and averaged 6.3 runs per game. The pitching staff saw success in certain areas as well, setting a new school record with 403 strikeouts.

2022 MAC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Central Michigan — 115 points (6)
2. Ball State — 103 points (1)
3. Kent State — 102 points (2)
4. Western Michigan - 75 points
5. Toledo — 73 points (1)
6. Miami — 68 points (1)
7. Ohio — 58 points
8. Eastern Michigan - 45 points
9. Bowling Green — 40 points
10. Northern Illinois — 36 points
11. Akron — 11 points

 
Rocket Notes

• Toledo led the MAC in home runs last season with 64, one off the program's all-time single-season record.
• Four Rockets slugged at least seven homers last year: Chris Meyers tied the school record with 15 while returning players Darryn Davis, Scott Mackiewicz, and Mason Sykes all had seven home runs.
• Nicky Winterstein led all returning players with a .331 batting average last season. Winterstein was one of four MAC players last season to rank in the Top 10 in the league in runs scored (41) and RBIs (46).
• Kyle Jones (76) returns the most strikeouts on the pitching staff; Jones is expected to begin the season as Toledo's Friday starter.
• Cal McAninch posted the top K/BB ratio on the team last season (27/4) and returns as a key bullpen piece in 2022.
• Toledo was one of just six teams in Division I last season to turn a triple play. UT accomplished that feat in the top of the fourth inning against Bowling Green at Fifth Third Field.

 
2022 Schedule at a Glance
Following the season-opening series at Belmont (Feb. 18-20), Toledo will head to North Carolina the next two weekends to face High Point (Feb. 25-27) and Elon (March 4-6), respectively.

MAC play begins Friday, March 11 with a four-game series at Akron. The Rockets' other road conference weekends include trips to Western Michigan (March 18-20), Ohio (April 8-10), Bowling Green (May 6-8), and Central Michigan (May 19-21). Toledo's home conference opponents are Mami (March 25-27), Ball State (April 1-3), Kent State (April 15-17), Eastern Michigan (April 22-24), and Northern Illinois (May 13-15).

Last month, Toledo announced it will play Bowling Green at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday, May 10. Tickets for Toledo's game at Fifth Third Field are on sale now and can be purchased through the Toledo Mud Hens ticket office online by visiting this link. General admission tickets will be $8.00, with discounted tickets available for high school and college students.

About Belmont
Belmont finished last season with a record of 22-30 and a 14-16 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. Four Bruins were placed on the Preseason All-OVC team: Outfielder John Behrends, infielder Logan Jarvis, left-handed pitcher Andy Bean, and right-handed pitcher Joshua South. Behrends was a first-team all-conference selection last season after leading the Bruins in hits (64), doubles (15), home runs (8), and runs (49).