HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Toledo baseball team rallied from an early deficit with the help of a trio of home runs, but High Point scratched out an 8-6 win over the Rockets at Williard Stadium on Sunday afternoon.Â
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The Rockets (1-5) clawed back from an early five-run deficit to tie the game 5-5 in the fourth inning. However, a three-run double by the Panthers (7-0) in the fifth inning stood as the difference.
Quoting Head Coach Rob Reinstetle
"That was a tough loss in a good baseball game. Credit to High Point, they are hot with the bats right now and playing with a lot of confidence. They've jumped out to a big lead the last two days, but I'm proud of the fight we showed today by clawing back into the game. We need to get off the mat and win tomorrow, and will need to keep them off the board early to do that. We've allowed just four runs from the third inning on this series."
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Top Rocket HittersÂ
- Brayden White – 2-for-4, HR (1), 1 run, 2 RBI
- In the field, caught runner stealing in third inning
- Cole Cahill -Â 2-for-5, 2 1B
- Third multi-hit game of season
- Caden Konczak – 1-for-2, HR (1), 2 runs, 1 RBI
Pitching LinesÂ
- Braden Curry – 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 Ks
- 6.1 IP, 1.42 ERA this season
- Nathan Leininger (0-2) – 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 Ks
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
- Konni Durschlag led off the bottom of the first with a home run. An RBI groundout later in the inning gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead after one.
- High Point added three more in the bottom of the 2nd on a two-run home run by Jackson Melton and a Toledo balk later in the inning.
- Toledo got three runs back in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 5-3. Troy Sudbrook drove home the first run on a double to left-center while Josh Cote and Brayden White produced RBI singles.
- Charlie Scholvin and Caden Konczak hit solo home runs to tie the game 5-5 in the fourth.
- Melton doubled to clear the bases and give High Point an 8-5 lead after five innings.
- White drove a home run to left field in the top of the seventh, cutting the Rockets' deficit to 8-6.
UP NEXTÂ
Toledo and High Point will conclude the series on Monday, Feb. 24. First pitch will be at noon on ESPN+.Â