A four-run sixth inning powered by three of the University of Toledo’s five home runs helped elevate the Rockets’ baseball team to a 7-6 victory over Ohio State on Wednesday at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus.
Toledo earned its first victory over Ohio State since April 12, 1983.
Freshman outfielder Cade Konczak’s solo blast off of Buckeyes reliever Jake Johnson with two outs in the sixth ultimately served as the game-winning run. The Rockets benefited from back-to-back home runs off the bats of Lake grad Scott Mackiewicz and Anthony Wayne product Garret Pike to tie the game at 6 off of reliever Tyler Kean with one out in the inning.
Johnson relieved Kean, and after Marcus Strother struck out swinging, Konczak belted a 2-0 pitch down the right field line and over the wall for a 7-6 Rockets lead.
“I'm so proud of these guys,” UT head coach Rob Reinstetle said. “They came in and played really good baseball. So many guys had a hand in tonight’s win. We had a great night offensively. Our five home runs really propelled us today.”
Cal McAninch allowed one hit and struck out two in pitching the seventh and eighth innings for the Rockets (12-11, 6-5 Mid-American Conference). Cam Szynski hit a batter, but pitched a flawless ninth inning otherwise for his second save of the season.
“Cal McAninch and Cam Szynski were outstanding at the end of the game out of the bullpen,” Reinstetle said. “Now we have a huge MAC series against Ball State this weekend at home. I hope we can use this as positive energy and carry the momentum into Friday. But I’m just so proud of the guys today.”
A solo home run from Archbold product Kade Kern in the bottom of the first inning helped the Buckeyes (8-13, 0-1 Big Ten) to a 3-0 lead after two innings.
But Darryn Davis’ two out, two-run homer off of Aaron Funk cut into the deficit in the top of the third.
Sam Servello’s solo homer with one out in the top of the fourth tied it at 3.
Ohio State plated three runs in the bottom of the fourth, on a pair of RBI doubles from Blayne Robinson and Marcus Ernst, and a sacrifice fly from Tyler Pettorini, for a 6-3 lead.
Brennan McCune pitched two scoreless innings of relief in earning the victory for Toledo. Johnson absorbed the loss.
The Rockets return to Scott Park for a four-game series against Ball State beginning at 3 p.m. Friday. The Rockets and Cardinals will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Saturday.
First Published March 31, 2022, 2:21 a.m.
