OXFORD, Ohio – The Toledo baseball team opened Mid-American Conference play with a 5-2 win at Miami on Friday.

The RedHawks struck first in Friday's contest, but a four-run top of the second gave the Rockets a lead they would not relinquish. The MAC's home run leader, UT slugged a couple more homers in its MAC opener and benefitted from solid pitching from Noah Johnson and Brennan McCune in the victory.

"I'm really happy to get the win today," head coach Rob Reinstetle said. "It was a really good game all around. We got a good start from Noah Johnson, and Brennen McCune came in the game in relief and was fantastic. Both arms for Miami were very good, they had good stuff and came right at us, but we were up to the challenge. Mason Sykes had a good day at the plate and got us on the board with a big home run, and Owen Jackson hit a home run to give us some insurance late. It's always good to win on Friday and even better to open MAC play that way. We need to stay focused and play well the rest of the weekend."

Johnson struck out seven across five innings to improve to 3-0 on the season. McCune was lights out in relief, tossing four shutout innings while striking out five.

At the plate, Mason Sykes led the way with a 3-for-5 day and a home run. Owen Jackson hit his sixth home run of the year, putting him one off the top spot in the MAC in that category.

The Rockets and RedHawks will resume their weekend series on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

• Miami took an early lead on a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first to make the score 1-0.
• Mason Sykes tied the game at 1-1 with a solo shot in the top of the second.
• Sykes' home run proved to be the spark that ignited a four-run inning and gave the Rockets the lead. Two of UT's runs scored on a Miami error, and the fourth run of the inning scored on a squeeze bunt by Scott Mackiewicz.
• The RedHawks had the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the third, but Noah Johnson escaped the jam allowing just one run. Miami's lone run scored on a 6-4-3 double play, and Johnson struck out the next batter to end the inning.
• Owen Jackson's solo homer in the top of the ninth pushed the lead to 5-2.
• Johnson and Brennan McCune combined to allow just three hits over the final six innings, shutting down the RedHawks' offense and leading the Rockets to their first MAC win of the year.