BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Toledo baseball team loaded the bases in the top of the ninth but could not push the tying runs across as Bowling Green held on in a 3-1 pitcher's duel in the Battle of I-75 series opener at Steller Field on Thursday.
The Rockets (25-28, 16-12 MAC) were unable to capitalize on two bases-loaded opportunities, helping the Falcons (30-18, 22-6 MAC) emerge victorious after taking the lead in the sixth inning.
"Overall, that was a good college game, just hate coming out on the losing end," said Head Coach
Rob Reinstetle. "We had ample opportunities to score but couldn't get the big hit tonight. We pitched well and played good defense, just needed some more thump from the sticks today. We're playing solid baseball and need to keep that up down the home stretch."
Freshman
Charlie Scholvin went 3-for-4 in Thursday's contest, setting a career-high for hits. Senior
Owen Jackson scored Toledo's only run, reaching base on his 41st walk of the season, a new Toledo single-season record.
Senior
Grant Umberger took the mound to start on Thursday, battling through 5.0 innings to allow just one run on three hits, recording six strikeouts to three walks. The Pennsylvania native made 103 pitches, reaching the century mark for the first time in his career. Senior Camryn Szysnki (0-4) took the decision, giving up two runs in 1+ inning pitched. Junior
Brennan McCune finished out the pitching line with 1.2 scoreless innings and has not allowed a run over his last 7.0 innings thrown.
The Rockets and Falcons will continue the rivalry series on Friday, May 17 with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch at Fifth Third Field. Tomorrow's matchup will again be broadcast on BCSN and ESPN+.
"Tomorrow will be an unreal environment for our guys to experience and I know we'll show up and play well," said Reinstetle.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A solo home run gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
- Toledo had two walks and an infield single to load the bases in the top of the sixth before a wild pitch plated Owen Jackson to tie the game at one. A would-be bases-clearing double for Charlie Scholvin landed just foul later in the inning.
- The Falcons led off the bottom of the sixth with another solo home run to take a 2-1 lead.
- An RBI single in the seventh extended BGSU's lead to 3-1.
- Back-to-back walks put two on with one out in the top of the ninth to get the go-ahead run to the plate. After a popout, Luke Walton was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but a lineout ended the inning and the game.