With inclement weather on the way the following day, Toledo’s matchup with Western Kentucky turned into a doubleheader on Feb. 18. With each team winning one game, the Rockets took two of three overall on the weekend to take the series.

Mark Lapikas, photo by Zach Davis

In the opening game on the day, Toledo withheld a late charge by the Hilltoppers to grab a 7-6 victory. Western Kentucky scored four runs in the final three innings, including two in the ninth, but with two on and two outs UT closer Matt Kuna got the strike out to seal the win.

The Rockets had 17 hits against WKU including three from senior first baseman Mark Lapikas (3 of 5, 1 R, 2 RBI). Junior center fielder Ben Hammer (2 of 3, 3 R, 1 RBI) scored three times and second baseman Joe Corfman (2 of 5, 2 R) crossed the plate twice. Sophomore catcher James Miglin (2 of 5, 2 RBI) also drove in two.

UT starter Alex Radon, who appeared in 24 relief appearances last season, gave up two runs on five hits in four innings. The senior’s day was cut short walking six batters. Instead it was senior Tyler Scott (1-0) who picked up his first win of the season, allowing one run in 2.1 innings.

Sophomore southpaw Ryan Wilkinson (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) and junior Cody Umbright (1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER) also threw in relief before Kuna, who allowed three hits and two runs in the ninth, came in to collect his second save of the season.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Western Kentucky (1-2) avoided the sweep in a 9-3 victory over the Rockets (2-1).

UT starter Jared Locke (0-1) was awarded the loss in his first start, giving up four runs and seven hits in five innings. The junior struck out five but also walked three.

Sophomore Cameron Palmer appeared in relief and gave up three runs (two earned) in the next two innings. Sophomore Trevor Gast allowed one run, pitching one out into the ninth before giving way to freshman Alec Schmenk who finished the game, allowing one unearned run.

Corfman was the lone Rocket to record a multihit performance, going 2 for 5 with one run. Hammer, Lapikas and senior catcher A.J. Demarco each drove home a run for UT.

Toledo has a week to prepare for its next series when it travels to North Carolina to take on Charlotte (3-0) from Feb. 24-26.

Tags: A.J. Demarco, Alec Schmenk, Alex Radon, Ben Hammer, Cameron Palmer, Cody Umbright, doubleheader, James Miglin, Jared Locke, Joe Corfman, Mark Lapikas, Matt Kuna, Rockets baseball, Ryan Wilkinson, Trevor Gast, Tyler Scott, Western Kentucky, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 19th, 2012 at 11:46 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

In its season-opening game on Feb. 17, the UT baseball team scored three runs in the ninth inning to grab a 5-2 victory at Western Kentucky. The victory marks Toledo’s fifth straight year with a victory to begin the season.

Tyler Grogg, photo by Zach Davis

All nine Rockets (1-0) had one hit against the Hilltoppers (0-1), but it was junior left fielder Tyler Grogg (1 for 4, 1 RBI) who drove home the game-winning run with two outs. Senior right fielder Jeff Cola (1 for 5, 2 RBI) tacked on two insurance runs in the following at bat.

Mike Hamann received his first start since an arm injury sidelined him in the midst a terrific 2011 campaign in which he had a team-best 1.96 ERA in nine starts. The junior starter gave up just one run on five hits in seven innings against WKU, striking out three.

Sophomore reliever Ryan Wilkinson (1-0) gave up the lead in the eighth but was credited with the win after the team’s ninth-inning heroics. Senior Matt Kuna locked down the Hilltoppers in a perfect ninth for the win.

Toledo’s Alex Radon will pitch against Western Kentucky in game two of the series on the road at 2 p.m. Feb. 18. The senior did not start a game last season, but racked up a 5-3 record with a 2.38 ERA in 24 appearances in 2011.

Tags: Jeff Cola, Matt Kuna, Mike Hamann, Rockets baseball, Ryan Wilkinson, Tyler Grogg, Western Kentucky, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 18th, 2012 at 4:14 am and is filed under Baseball, College sports, Sports.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.