The University of Toledo baseball team fell to No. 23 Kent State 3-2 tonight at the Mid-American Conference tournament in Avon, Ohio.

The fifth-seeded Rockets (19-37-1) earned another strong start from Clay High School graduate Ross Achter, who struck out 10 and allowed two earned runs in seven innings, but the Rockets' bullpen allowed the decisive run in the ninth inning.

With Michael Jacob pitching in a 2-2 game in the top of the ninth, the top-seeded Golden Flashes (43-12) earned a lead-off base hit from Conner Simonetti, who had homered earlier in the game. Two batters later, Dom Iero tripled to score the go-ahead run.

Zach Willeman pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save. Starter Andy Ravel (6 innings pitcher, 2 earned runs) took a no decision, while reliever Tim Faix (2 innings pitched, 0 earned runs) was credited with the win.

AJ Montoya (1-for-4) led UT at the plate a solo home run in the second inning.

UT will play Eastern Michigan at 4:30 p.m. Friday in an elimination game. The winner will play Kent State on Saturday.

Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at: npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 724-6110, or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz

First Published May 27, 2016, 4:51 a.m.