ATHENS, Ohio – The Toledo baseball team used an offensive explosion and a dominant pitching effort to even its weekend series with Ohio, routing the Bobcats in a 16-2 final at Bob Wren Field on Saturday.
 
The Rockets (20-23, 13-10 MAC) scored the final 14 runs of Saturday's game to snap Ohio's (13-25, 8-15 MAC) three-game winning streak and break their own seven-game slide. UT also reached 20 wins for the fourth consecutive season, having last reached 20 victories in four straight seasons from 2012-2015.
 
"Today was just what the doctor ordered, as we played how we are capable of playing," said Head Coach Rob Reinstetle. "It was certainly great to get back on the winning side of things. We got a great start out of Noah Johnson and the bullpen came in and did their jobs. Offensively, everyone had a hand in our success. I'm proud of the guys for competing and finding a way today."
 
Toledo's offense came from all over the lineup, with every starter recording at least one hit. Junior Garret Pike, junior Caden Konczak, and freshman JP Wagner each recorded three hits. Pike scored four runs and drove in one while Wagner added a career-high three RBIs of his own. Junior Trey Wright and freshman Brandon Lucek each posted two hits. Senior Owen Jackson joined Wagner with three RBIs while Lucek and senior Scott Mackiewicz each had two.
 
Toledo's offense reached 16 runs for the fifth time this season and the first since an 18-8 victory at Youngstown State on April 9.
 
Senior Noah Johnson (3-1) worked 6.0 innings, giving up just two runs (one earned) and five hits with two strikeouts. Johnson marked his fourth start this season with at least 6.0 innings pitched. Senior Kyle Pijaszek and junior Caden Kline combined for 3.0 scoreless innings to finish the game.
 
The Rockets and Bobcats will play the rubber match of the series on Sunday, April 28. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
"Tomorrow, we need to come back and do it again," said Reinstetle. "Sunday will be another good test for us, we just have to believe."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases in the top of the first, JP Wagner singled to left to drive home two for a 2-0 lead.
• OU got a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout, then tied the game in the bottom of the second by executing a double steal.
• An illegal hidden ball trick resulted in a balk, bringing Trey Wright home in the third.
• UT got four runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 7-2, starting with a two-run double from Owen Jackson followed by back-to-back RBI groundouts from Wright and Brayden White.
• Brandon Lucek doubled to left to bring home two runs and put Toledo up 9-2 in the sixth.
• The Rockets scored seven times in the eighth on five hits. Wagner hit a sacrifice fly to start the scoring, followed by an RBI double from Caden Konczak and a two-run double from Scott Mackewicz. UT's last three runs in the inning came from a Jackson sacrifice fly, a wild pitch and a home run from Pike.