Rockets Open Weekend with 7-2 Road Win Over Central Michigan

Friday, April 5

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

3:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

15-15, 9-4

Central Michigan

9-21, 4-9

Toledo

Central Michigan

Senior Grant Umberger limited CMU to just one run and five hits in Toledo's 7-2 win over the Chippewas.

Photo by: Daniel Miller/University of Toledo

Rockets Open Weekend with 7-2 Road Win Over Central Michigan

4/5/2024 6:59:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Senior Grant Umberger picks up fourth win after allowing just one run in six innings

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Senior Grant Umberger scattered five hits and allowed just a first-inning run to pitch the Toledo baseball team to a 7-2 series-opening triumph at Central Michigan (9-21, 4-9 MAC) on Friday afternoon at Theunissen Stadium. The Rockets (15-15, 9-4 MAC) moved into second place in the MAC with the victory.

Umberger's stellar performance gave him his team-high fourth win and lowered his ERA in conference play to an impressive 2.45. Junior Brennan McCune picked right up where Umberger left off, allowing just one hit in three frames to notch his second save.

"That's a big road win and a nice way to start the series," Head Coach Rob Reinstetle said. "Grant Umberger gave us a great start on the mound, and Brennan McCune was outstanding in relief. CMU's starter has historically been one of the best left-handers in our league, and we did a nice job against him and found a way to score."

Junior Garret Pike and redshirt freshman Luke Walton each homered and led Toledo offensively with two hits apiece. Pike's home run was his 10^th of the season and his 31 homers as a Rocket rank fourth in program history.

Today's victory was also the 100^th for Reinstetle at the helm of the Rockets.

"One hundred wins is a nice first milestone," Reinstetle said. "I've been fortunate to coach some really talented baseball players and excellent young men. They are the ones who make it happen. I also have a great staff of coaches to work beside every day. We need to come back hungry and win another series tomorrow."

The Rockets and Chippewas will resume their three-game series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. The first pitch for Sunday's series finale is set for noon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Owen Jackson's sacrifice fly in the first inning provided the Rockets an early lead.
The Chippewas' Nick Dardas evened the score with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the frame.
Brayden White's two-run double in the sixth snapped a 1-1 deadlock. Luke Walton followed with another double to bring White home for a 4-1 advantage.
Garret Pike's solo homer and Walton's two-run blast in the eighth provided insurance for the Rockets.