April 2, 2006
Box Score
TOLEDO, Ohio - For the second day in a row the Ohio baseball squad got out-dueled on the mound and out-hit at the plate as Toledo earned a Mid-American Conference series victory by taking the rubber game from the Bobcats by a final of 7-2 on Sunday.
As was the case on Saturday, the Toledo (12-9, 4-2 MAC) pitching was as good as advertised. Entering the weekend the Rockets had the best team ERA in the MAC and, despite an Ohio (8-11, 2-4 MAC) offensive outburst in the series opener, the number held true on Saturday and Sunday. Following up teammate Kyle Rawlings' effort on the mound yesterday, Toledo hurler Levi Curry allotted the Bobcats just two runs on seven hits in seven innings to lead the Rockets to the series-clincher.
Bobcat freshman Kurt Smith made his first career start for the Bobcats in place of regular Sunday starter Anthony Gressick and experienced some trouble early on as the Rockets got three singles and a run in the first for a 1-0 lead.
It didn't get any better for Smith in the second as he surrendered two singles, committed a throwing error and hit a batter to spell and end to his day. Now down 2-0, the Bobcats turned to Yale Silverman with two Rocket runners on. Silverman was unable to halt the Toledo rally, however, as the Rockets got four more runs in the frame on a single, two doubles and a fielding error to extend to a 6-0 lead.
The Bobcats were able to get one run back in the top of the third as freshman Hayden Johnston drove a one-out pitch down the left field line for the first home run of his career.
Ohio was able to register another run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 7-2. Jared Willis got a one-out single and, after a pop-out, Chris Klimko was hit by a pitch to give the Bobcats two runners. Dusty Hammond then singled up the middle to plate Willis. Jon Vondrell drew a walk to load the bases, but Jason Selhorst hit into a fielder's choice to end the brief rally.
Despite his second-inning struggles, Silverman settled in and didn't all a single run the last six innings. The reliever finished with three runs allowed - none earned - on six hits in 6 2-3 innings.
"We have to give Toledo credit, they were a better team than we were today," Ohio Head Coach Joe Carbone said. "They did everything the could do to win."
Smith (0-1) took the loss for Ohio after he was charged with four earned runs on five hits.
Johnston, Hammond and Anthony Gressick each finished with two hits for the Bobcats.
Curry (2-2) earned the victory for the Rockets and two relievers pitch in to close out the game without allowing a hit.
"(Levi) Curry pitched a very good game, we didn't do much with him," Carbone said. "He's a guy that can locate the fastball and throw the change-up and breaking ball for a strike. For college hitters, those kind of guys are always tough."
Joel Visser, Drew Hoisington and Jason Watson all registered two hits for the Rockets.
The Bobcats will return home for games on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings against Marshall and Cincinnati. Both games in Bob Wren Stadium are set to start at 6 p.m.
