Eighth-Inning Run Propels Rockets Over Oakland, 3-2

Monday, April 1

Toledo, Ohio

1:30 p.m.

University of Toledo

14-14

Oakland

12-16

Oakland

Toledo

Freshman JP Wagner drove in two runs, including the game-winner, in Toledo's 3-2 win over Oakland.

Eighth-Inning Run Propels Rockets Over Oakland, 3-2

4/1/2024 5:57:00 PM | Baseball

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Freshman JP Wagner drives in pair including game-winner

TOLEDO, Ohio – Freshman JP Wagner drove in a pair of runs, including the game-winner in the eighth inning, to lead the Toledo baseball team to a 3-2 non-conference victory over Oakland (12-16) on Monday afternoon at Scott Park. The win gave the Rockets (14-14) their sixth victory in last eight games.

"Today was a tough day to hit and offense was at a premium," Head Coach Rob Reinstetle said. "JP Wagner did a great job getting the ball to the outfield to score the winning run. A win is a win, and it doesn't matter how pretty or ugly, you take them however you get them."

Toledo was able to score without the benefit of a base hit in the eighth with Wagner lifting a sacrifice fly to left field to plate the winning run. Wagner's single up the middle in the second inning gave the Rockets a 2-0 advantage.

Senior starter Yianni Skeriotis allowed just three hits and a run while striking out six in a season-high five innings. Oakland's starter Brody Krzysiak also received a no-decision after yielding four hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings.

"I thought Yianni was outstanding and gave us five strong innings," Reinstetle said. "That was super good to see. Oakland's starter was very solid today as well, and we had to manufacture a run late to win it."

Junior Brennan McCune (1-0) earned the victory for the Rockets after retiring the only batter he faced to get out of a jam in the eighth inning. Senior Kyle Pijaszek picked up his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

Toledo will be back in action when it concludes its nine-game homestand vs. Wright State on Wednesday, April 3. The Rockets return to Mid-American Conference play this weekend at Central Michigan on Friday-Sunday, April 5-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Toledo scored its first run in the second on a three-base Oakland error, JP Wagner singled up the middle to give the Rockets a 2-0 lead.
Lucas Day's two-out solo homer in the fourth cut the Rockets' lead in half.
The visitors evened the score in the seventh on Carter Hain's bunt single.
Two walks and an Oakland error led to Wagner's game-winning sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.