Rockets take on Wolverines at 5/3rd

TOLEDO – The Toledo Rockets hosted the Michigan Wolverines in a chilly midweek battle at Fifth Third field in downtown Toledo Tuesday.

The Rockets came into the game flying high after a series win against Eastern Michigan, while the Wolverines came into the Glass City after winning six straight games.

The two teams last met in Ann Arbor at Ray Fisher Stadium on March 11, where the Big 10 school won 6-4.

The second matchup wasn’t any better for Toledo. The Rockets’ performance, highlighted by bad defense and an offense that has been near the bottom of the MAC statistically all season, led to a 10-0 shutout defeat in a 7-inning run rule.

This is the second straight year Toledo hosted Michigan at Fifth Third Field. Last year, Michigan won 6-4.

Michigan had 10 runs on 11 hits and broke the game open in the 5^th on a three-run home run by Jeter Ybarra. Michigan starter Cade Connolly went 6 innings before giving the ball off to Dylan Vigue to close the game in the 7^th.

Toledo entered the game ranking last in the MAC with a team batting average of just .215, while Northern Illinois sat one spot ahead 37 points higher at .252. Toledo could only muster one hit, and it was an infield hit to the first baseman, where the pitcher was late getting to the bag at first.

Toledo drops to 13-22 and hosts Western Michigan this weekend in a huge series. UT is looking to return to the MAC tournament in late May, but needs wins as the season winds down.

UToledo head coach Rob Reinstetle hopes this loss doesn’t set his team back mentally before the weekend series against Western Michigan.

“I just told the team you have to wipe this away as quickly as you possibly can,” Reinstetle said. “We gotta win these weekend games in the MAC and put ourselves in a position to get to that tournament.”

Toledo is 8^th currently in the MAC, Western Michigan is 7^th. The top six teams make the MAC tournament.

Reinstetle hopes that the offense gets hot as the weather warms up, but isn’t using the cold weather as an excuse.

Last year, Toledo was second in the MAC with 89 homers, this year they’re 9th with only 24, and last in doubles with 41.

Despite Tuesdays result, the pitching has been rock solid for Toledo all year, ranking second in the MAC with a 5.65 ERA and a 5.38 ERA in conference play, which is good enough for 4th.

A crowd of just over 900 people sat in cold windy weather, but Jane Ramsey and her husband Duane Ramsey have been Toledo supporters for a long time and would like to see more games downtown, even though they do attend games at Scott Park.

“I like the fact that it’s here,” Jane Ramsey said. “I like it cause the seats are great, I can sit under the awning. I like the concessions. I just like everything about here.”

“We’ve already got tickets for the BG-UT game,” she added. The rivals play May 2 at 7 p.m. at Fifth Third field for the 4th straight year. The next two games of that series will be at Scott Park.

Photos by Scott W. Grau

Toledo cheerleaders cheer on top of a dugout.

Toledo second baseman Kaleb Herbert puts a tags onto Michigan’s Tyler Inge as he tries to steal a base.

Fans watch the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Toledo Rockets.

A Rocket fan keeps score during the game.

Toledo designated hitter Luke Leto swings at a pitch.

Toledo third baseman Troy Sudbrook takes practice swings in the on-deck circle.

Toledo resident Mark Langenderfer, wrapped in a Toledo Walleye fleece blanket.

Tommy Harman, 6, wears a Michigan hat and a Toledo sweatshirt as he watches the game.

Avid Michigan fan Theodore DeBord, 13, watches the action on the field.

Young fans do a dance-off while blind-folded between innings.

A Michigan catcher stays warm by the propane heater in the dugout during game.

Michigan first baseman Jeter Ybarra celebrates hitting a two-run home run as he rounds third base.