The first two weekends of Mid-American Conference play have not gone Ohio’s (5-14, 1-5 MAC) way. Consistent bullpen implosions led to Ohio giving up 10 or more runs in half of its six games against Bowling Green and Central Michigan.
Similarly, Ohio’s next opponent, Toledo, has struggled out of the gates. The Rockets rank bottom in the conference in scoring, having yet to score double-digit runs this season. Ohio used up many of its available arms in Tuesday’s matchup against Dayton but will look to make the most out of its starters’ innings this weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Game information
Opponent: Toledo Rockets (6-13, 2-4 MAC)
Location: Scott Park (Toledo, Ohio)
Time: Friday at 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Where to watch: All three games will be streamed on ESPN+
Follow live stats here.
Meet the opponent
Head coach
Rob Reinstetle (sixth season)
Projected starters (Ohio)
Friday: Blake Gaskey (9.25 ERA and 18 strikeouts)
Saturday: Hudson Boncal (5.96 ERA and 29 strikeouts)
Sunday: Dillon Masters (5.64 ERA and 23 strikeouts)
Projected starters (Toledo)
Friday: Jacob Tabor (6.27 ERA and 15 strikeouts)
Saturday: Ryan Kennedy (7.27 ERA and 15 strikeouts)
Sunday: Jackson Bergman (7.30 ERA and eight strikeouts)
Statistical leaders
Batting average: Cole Cahill (.288)
Hits: Cahill (21)
Home runs: Caden Konczak (4)
RBIs: Troy Sudbrook (11)
Innings pitched: Tabor (18.2)
ERA: Braden Curry (2.57)
Strikeouts: Logan Jones (20)
Toledo notes
By a decent margin, Toledo is the least impressive offense in the MAC through two weekends of conference play. The Rockets have just 70 runs on the season, with a single-game high of 9 runs and no batters hitting .290 or better.
Defensively, there’s not much consistency either. Toledo has lacked a true ace this season, with no pitchers having more than 20 strikeouts (Ohio has two). Neither of these defenses is the pride of the MAC, but the offensive difference between the teams with the most and second-least hits in the conference is vast. Ohio will look to expose that difference.
Player to watch: Brady Alexander
Assuming Alexander maintains the starting spot he’s held for the last four games, even after a zero-of-three outing against Dayton, Ohio will look for the freshman outfielder for explosive plays at the end of the batting order. Alexander broke out in his collegiate debut against Morehead State, and carried it over into last weekend’s series against Central Michigan, tallying eight hits, eight RBIs and two home runs on a .444 batting average in his first four appearances.
