After winning their first Mid-American Conference West Division championship in the regular season, the Rockets endured a disappointing MAC Tournament, being ousted after losing its first two games. Toledo’s season ended on May 24 in a 4-3 loss to Central Michigan in Avon.

After the loss, the second-seeded Rockets finished the season at 30-27. No. 3 Central Michigan moved to 31-28 on the year with the victory.

Junior center fielder Ben Hammer, courtesy of UT Athletics

Senior starter Matt Kuna gave up three first-inning runs but settled down to throw 7.2 innings, allowing three runs with a career-high 10 strikeouts. First-team All-MAC reliever Lincoln Rassi (3-1, 1.53 ERA) struggled in relief, earning his first loss of the season, giving up one run in the ninth inning as CMU surged ahead 4-3.

Toledo’s offense struggled to score in the tournament, being shut out in the first round and scoring just three unearned runs against the Chippewas. The Rockets racked up five hits against CMU, led by senior center fielder Ben Hammer who went 1 for 4 with a run and an RBI.

Sophomore catcher James Miglin (1 for 3, RBI) and junior third baseman Wes White (1 for 4, RBI) each drove home a run while senior second baseman Joe Corfman (0 for 4, R), and junior left fielder Tyler Grogg each scored once.

The Rockets were held scoreless in the opening game of the series in a 5-0 loss to No. 7 Miami (OH) on May 23.

Tags: Ben Hammer, Central Michigan, James Miglin, Joe Corfman, Lincoln Rassi, MAC Tournament, Matt Kuna, Rockets baseball, Tyler Grogg, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Friday, May 25th, 2012 at 9:19 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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A Central Michigan loss on May 18 clinched the Mid-American Conference West Division regular season championship for the Rockets.

Turns out they wouldn’t have needed the help anyway.

Toledo swept Eastern Michigan this weekend on the way to its first title in school history, culminating in a 12-5 victory on May 19 at Scott Park.

The Rockets finished the season winning six straight conference games, running their record to 30-25 on the season with a 19-8 record in league play. With the sweep over the Eagles (24-29, 14-13 MAC), Toledo earns the No. 2 seed in the MAC Tournament and will take on No. 7 Miami (28-27, 12-15) in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament at 4 p.m. May 23 in Avon. The victor will take on the winner of No. 3 Central Michigan (30-27, 17-10) vs. No. 6 EMU at 7:30 p.m. May 24.

Junior third baseman Wes White, taken by Zach Davis

Against the Eagles, junior third baseman Wes White led an offense that racked up 12 hits on the way to the victory. White recorded a team-high three hits in four at bats while driving home three runs on the day. Senior first baseman Mark Lapikas (2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) also made his mark, recording a pair of runs scored and RBI. Freshman right fielder Dan Zuchowski (1 for 3, 2 R) and junior designated hitter Jeff Cola (2 for 5, 2 R, RBI) each scored twice.

Starter Mike Hamann (3-5, 5.80 ERA) won his third victory in his last six starts after going 0-4 in his first eight. The junior allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits over the course of five innings to pick up the win.

Freshman Andrew Marra relieved Hamann and gave up two runs in the sixth as Toledo’s lead was trimmed to 5-3. Classmate Alec Schmenk struck out three in the seventh before giving way to mid-week starter Jared Locke, as he got in two perfect innings of work to close out the game.

The tournament matchups are posted at the Mid-American Conference website.

Tags: Alec Schmenk, Andrew Marra, Dan Zuchowski, Eastern Michigan, Jared Locke, Jeff Cola, MAC Tournament, Mark Lapikas, Mike Hamann, Rockets baseball, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 8:18 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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Toledo remained ahead in the race for the Mid-American Conference West Division regular season championship with a 4-3 victory in 12 innings over Eastern Michigan at Scott Park on May 17.

The Rockets (28-25, 17-8 MAC) eliminated EMU from contention for the regular season crown with the win, moving to three games ahead of the Eagles (24-27, 14-11) with just two games remaining. Toledo’s last opponent for the title is Central Michigan (29-26, 16-9), which has won nine straight league games and remains one game back after defeating Western Michigan. Both Toledo and CMU have just two games left in the next two days.

Remaining in the lead for the regular season title, however, was a challenge in the series opener. After going into extra innings, the Eagles took a one-run lead in the 12th inning before freshman right fielder Dan Zuchowski brought home two in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.

Zuchowski led the Rockets’ offense, which recorded just five hits in the game, going 1 for 6 with a run and two RBI. Junior center fielder Ben Hammer (1 for 2, RBI) and freshman left fielder Anthony Smith (0 for 3, RBI) each drove home one, and senior second baseman Joe Corfman (0 for 5, R), sophomore third baseman Wes White (0 for 4, R) and freshman shortstop Nate Langhals (1 for 5, R) each crossed the plate once.

Sophomore starter Ryan Wilkinson was unable to grab his eighth win of the year despite giving up just two runs on seven hits in six innings of work, striking out four.

Senior reliever Tyler Scott threw three scoreless frames before giving way to classmate Lincoln Rassi, who allowed one unearned run in 2.2 innings. Junior Cody Umbright (1-0) finished off the game with a perfect 0.1 innings to pick up his first win of the year.

On the season, the trio of Scott, Rassi and Umbright continue to impress. Rassi leads all UT pitchers with a 1.32 ERA, while Scott and Umbright rank second and third with ERAs of 2.08 and 2.12, respectively.

Toledo will face off in the second game of its three-game series beginning at 3 p.m. May 18 against the Eagles. Senior starter Matt Kuna (6-1, 2.78 ERA) will look for his seventh win of the year against EMU starter Steve Weber (7-3, 5.42 ERA).

Tags: Anthony Smith, Ben Hammer, Cody Umbright, Dan Zuchowski, Eastern Michigan, Joe Corfman, Lincoln Rassi, Mid-American Conference, Nate Langhals, Rockets baseball, Ryan Wilkinson, Tyler Scott, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 12:30 pm and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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The Rockets jumped out to a 12-2 run on the road and remained atop the Mid-American Conference West Division with a 16-8 win over Bowling Green on May 12.

Toledo is now 26-24 on the season with a 15-8 record in MAC play. They lead Central Michigan (27-25, 14-9 MAC), which has won nine straight games, by one game and Eastern Michigan (23-25, 13-10) by two. The Rockets have just four games against league opponents remaining, including a three-game series at home against the Eagles beginning on May 17.

UT senior first baseman Mark Lapikas, courtesy of UT Athletic Department

Despite a rare poor performance from senior starter Matt Kuna, the Rockets hitters still managed to pull the team to a victory. Kuna (6-1, 2.78 ERA), who entered the game leading the MAC with a 2.09 ERA, gave up a season-high seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in 4.1 innings of work. In his eight previous starts this year, Kuna had never given up more than three runs.

Senior reliever Alex Radon (1-5, 6.40 ERA) picked up his first win of the season giving up one run over 2.2 innings before junior Cody Umbright finished the game with two scoreless innings.

A day after racking up 14 hits and nine runs, the UT offense continued to roll, recording a season-high in both runs (16) and hits (19).

Senior first baseman Mark Lapikas (4 for 5, 2 R, 2 RBI) paced the team with a career-high four hits and has recorded a hit in eight consecutive contests.

Sophomore catcher James Miglin (2 for 3, 4 R, RBI) crossed the plate four times while junior designated hitter Matt Delewski (2 for 4, R, 3 RBI) and junior third baseman Wes White (1 for 3, 3 RBI) each drove home three. Senior second baseman Joe Corfman (3 for 5, 2 R, RBI) and junior center fielder Ben Hammer (3 for 6, 2 R, RBI) also recorded multihit efforts.

After securing the series victory, Toledo will look to sweep the Falcons at 1 p.m. May 13. Junior starter Mike Hamann (2-5, 6.51 ERA) will take the hill looking for his third win in five starts.

Tags: Alex Radon, Ben Hammer, Cody Umbright, James Miglin, Joe Corfman, Mark Lapikas, Matt Delewski, Matt Kuna, Mid-American Conference, Rockets baseball, Wes White

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 13th, 2012 at 1:29 pm and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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Toledo beat archrival Bowling Green 9-4 on May 11 and clinched a spot in the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament for the fifth time in the last six years.

The Rockets (25-24, 14-8 MAC) lead the West Division of the MAC by one game over Central Michigan (26-25, 13-9) and two games over Eastern Michigan (22-25, 12-10). Toledo has five conference games remaining, two against Bowling Green and the season series finale at home against EMU beginning May 17.

UT freshman right fielder Dan Zuchowski, courtesy of UT Athletics

Sophomore starter Ryan Wilkinson (7-3, 2.74 ERA) won his team-leading seventh win of the season, working five innings and giving up four runs (two earned) and striking out two. Senior relievers Tyler Scott and Lincoln Rassi each worked two scoreless innings to seal the victory.

Toledo’s offense had little trouble against BG, racking up 14 hits in the matchup. Freshman right fielder Dan Zuchowski (2 for 3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI) and sophomore catcher James Miglin (1 for 5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI) each hit home runs off the Falcons. Also recording a multihit effort was senior second baseman Joe Corfman (2 for 5, R), junior center fielder Ben Hammer (2 for 5), junior designated hitter Matt Delewski (2 for 5, R), freshman left fielder Anthony Smith (2 for 5, R) and junior third baseman Wes White (2 for 4, R).

Toledo will continue its series with the Falcons at 1 p.m. May 12 with senior starter Matt Kuna (6-1) and his conference-leading 2.09 ERA on the mound.

Tags: Anthony Smith, Ben Hammer, Dan Zuchowski, James Miglin, Joe Corfman, Lincoln Rassi, MAC Tournament, Matt Delewski, Mid-American Conference, Rockets baseball, Ryan Wilkinson, Tyler Scott, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 13th, 2012 at 11:29 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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Toledo failed to get its fourth straight series victory as Buffalo recorded a 6-2 victory in the series rubber match on May 6 at Scott Park.

Despite the loss, the Rockets (24-23, 13-8 Mid-American Conference) maintain sole possession of first place in the conference over Eastern Michigan (22-24, 12-9 MAC) by one game. Central Michigan (23-25, 12-9) has also pulled to within one game of UT for the lead in the division.

Starter Mike Hamann (2-5, 6.51 ERA), who had two straight quality starts and was seeking his third win in four outings, was saddled with the loss. The junior allowed five hits and four runs in 4.2 innings of work while striking out four.

Senior reliever Tyler Scott, photo by Zach Davis

Senior reliever Tyler Scott pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief for Hamann before junior Cody Umbright finished the game, allowing a run in the ninth.

At the plate, senior second baseman Joe Corfman (1 for 4, 2 R) was the lone Rocket to cross the plate, doing so twice after being drove home by junior designated hitter Matt Delewski (1 for 4, RBI) and sophomore third baseman Wes White (1 for 4, RBI).

Junior center fielder Ben Hammer and senior first baseman Mark Lapikas each had a pair of hits on the day in four plate appearances.

The Rockets will take a small break from MAC play when they travel to East Lansing on May 9 to take on Big Ten member Michigan State (29-16) at 3 p.m. Junior starter Jared Locke (3-5, 4.75 ERA) is slated to start against the Spartans.

Tags: Ben Hammer, Buffalo, Joe Corfman, Mark Lapikas, Matt Delewski, Mid-American Conference, Mike Hamann, Rockets baseball, Tyler Scott, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 12:43 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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Toledo stretched out its lead in the Mid-American Conference West Division after sweeping both games of a doubleheader against Ball State on April 29 at Scott Park.

The Rockets moved to 23-21 with the wins with a 12-6 record in league play. They are now two games ahead of Eastern Michigan (19-23, 10-8 MAC) for first place in the West and three games behind Kent State for the overall conference lead.

In the first game of the day, starter Matt Kuna shut down the Cardinals to collect his fifth win of the season in a 3-1 victory.

UT freshman third baseman Anthony Smith, taken by Vincent D. Scebbi

Kuna (5-1, 2.36 ERA) stifled Ball State, allowing just one run on four hits with six strikeouts in six innings of work. The senior starter is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his last four starts this season.

Senior Lincoln Rassi took over where Kuna left off and threw three scoreless innings to collect his third save of the season. Rassi, who has a team-low 1.75 ERA this season out of the bullpen, has given up just one run in his last eight appearances spanning 16.1 innings.

At the plate, Toledo racked up just six hits but managed to score three runs for the victory. Freshman left fielder Anthony Smith was the lone player with a multihit game, going 2 for 3 at the plate with a run scored. Freshman right fielder Dan Zuchowski (1 for 4, R) and senior first baseman Mark Lapikas (1 for 4, R) each crossed the plate once while senior catcher James Miglin (0 for 3, RBI) and freshman shortstop Nate Langhals (0 for 1, RBI) each drove home a run.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Rockets had a much easier time with BSU as they cruised to a 10-3 victory.

Toledo got a much needed quality start from Mike Hamann for the second straight game. The junior, who has struggled all season, allowed just one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts in seven innings. Hamann has given up just one earned run in his last two starts after allowing 26 runs in the previous four games.

Senior Tyler Scott relieved Hamann and gave up two runs in the eighth inning, his first outing surrendering a run in his last six appearances. Junior Cody Umbright finished up the game with a scoreless ninth frame.

Zuchowski led the way offensively, going 2 for 4 at the plate while scoring twice and driving home three. Senior second baseman Joe Corfman (1 for 3, 2 R) and Langhals (2 for 4, 2 R, RBI) each crossed the plate twice while senior designated hitter Matt Delewski (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and junior third baseman Wes White (2 for 5, 2 RBI) each racked up two RBI.

With semester exams this week, the Rockets won’t play again until the weekend when they host Buffalo (12-27, 5-12 MAC) in a three-game series beginning at 3 p.m. May 4.

Tags: Anthony Smith, Ball State, Cody Umbright, Dan Zuchowski, doubleheader, James Miglin, Joe Corfman, Lincoln Rassi, Mark Lapikas, Matt Delewski, Matt Kuna, Mid-American Conference, Mike Hamann, Nate Langhals, Rockets baseball, Tyler Scott, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 8:46 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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Following a disappointing loss to Northwestern Ohio this week, Toledo rebounded thanks to a gem from Ryan Wilkinson.

The sophomore starter pitched all nine innings for the first time in his career, giving up just three hits in a 5-0 shutout over Ball State on April 27.

With the victory, the Rockets have moved into sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division with a 21-21 record, including a 10-6 mark in league play.

Ryan Wilkinson, photo courtesy of UT athletics

Wilkinson has played a big part in that success recently. In his last seven appearances (four starts), the southpaw has posted a 4-1 record and a 1.29 ERA, giving up just five runs in 35 innings. He leads all starters on the year with a 2.09 ERA and 41 strikeouts.

At the plate, senior second baseman Joe Corfman led the way with a pair of hits in his three at bats, scoring once.

Reigning MAC West Player of the Week Dan Zuchowski (1 for 3, R, RBI) continued his hot hitting while crossing the plate and driving home one run. Junior third baseman Wes White and freshman shortstop Nate Langhals each went 1 for 3 at the plate with an RBI.

Toledo will attempt to build on its division lead against last place Ball State when senior Matt Kuna (4-1, 2.47 ERA) takes the mound on April 28 at 1 p.m.

Tags: Ball State, Dan Zuchowski, Joe Corfman, Mid-American Conference, Nate Langhals, Rockets baseball, Ryan Wilkinson, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at 12:32 pm and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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After a three-game winning streak, the Rockets disappointed on April 25 with a 3-1 loss to Northwestern Ohio at Scott Park.

Third baseman Wes White led Toledo (20-21) with three hits in four plate appearances. The junior has now recorded a multihit game in his last four games and has raised his batting average to .442 on the year.

Senior designated hitter Matt Delewski (2 for 4) recorded a pair of hits while freshman Dan Zuchowski (1 for 3, RBI) drove home the lone Rockets run.

Despite giving up just one unearned run, junior starter Jared Locke was tagged with the loss (3-5, 4.75 ERA) after giving up six hits with three strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work.

Toledo will look to stay on top of the MAC West Division when it takes on Ball State (11-26, 6-10 MAC) in a three-game series this weekend at Scott Park. The series opener begins at 3 p.m. April 27.

Tags: Dan Zuchowski, Jared Locke, Matt Delewski, Northwestern Ohio, Rockets baseball, Wes White, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 11:28 pm and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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While trying to extend its season-long winning streak to five games, the Rockets gave up four runs in the ninth inning and lost 6-5 to Western Michigan at Scott Park on April 14.

Toledo dropped to 16-19 on the season with a 5-6 record in Mid-American Conference play, while the Broncos moved to 16-16 on the year with a 6-4 league record.

James Miglin, photo courtesy of UT athletics

Rockets senior Alex Radon got the call in the ninth for the save opportunity and gave up four runs on four hits while walking one in the inning. With the loss, Radon drops to 0-5 on the season with an 8.25 ERA.

The blown save ruined Matt Kuna’s start, as the senior threw six innings of two-run baseball (one earned) allowing five hits while striking out four. Kuna was looking for his team-leading fourth win on the year, owning a 3-1 record and 3.00 ERA in 2012.

Senior Tyler Scott and junior Cody Umbright bridged the gap between Kuna and Radon, pitching two scoreless innings of relief.

Junior third baseman Wes White and sophomore catcher James Miglin each led the Rockets at the plate with three hits in four at bats, while Miglin also recorded a team-high three runs scored. Freshman left fielder Anthony Smith (1 for 3, R, 2 RBI) and senior first baseman Mark Lapikas (1 for 3, 2 RBI) drove in two runs for UT.

Toledo will look to win the rubber match of the series at 1 p.m. April 15 at Scott Park. Junior starter Mike Hamann is scheduled to start and is still looking for his first win of the season, owning an 0-4 record and 7.88 ERA on the year.

Tags: Alex Radon, Anthony Smith, Cody Umbright, James Miglin, Mark Lapikas, Matt Kuna, Mid-American Conference, Rockets baseball, Tyler Scott, Wes White, Western Michigan, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 15th, 2012 at 10:00 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
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