April 28, 2005

Fort Wayne, IN - Toledo (26-24) connected for 23 hits against IPFW (14-35) and had no errors or strikeouts to take the doubleheader sweep. The Rockets also smacked four home runs between the two games, one being a game-winning grand slam in game one by freshman 1B Megan McCauley that sealed their 8-5 victory. Despite running out of daylight in game two, sophomore CF Erica Singer hit two homers, in addition to senior LF Kate Moxim's first career bomb that led UT to a five-inning 10-6 win.

IPFW jumped on the Rockets quickly scoring three runs in the first inning. With two outs, the Mastodons' Stone smacked a two-run homer over the center field fence. Two more doubles would bring in another run to put UT down by three heading into the second inning.

Singer kick-started the Toledo offense in the bottom half of the inning with a triple down the right field line to score Pettitt, who was on by an IPFW error. Singer would score off a shot to the center field fence by McCauley, which brought Toledo to within one (3-2).

With one out in the bottom of the third, Pettitt worked herself into a jam with bases loaded. A shot to the warning track by IPFW's Randolph was snagged by freshman LF Valerie Moxim, but would bring in one run. The Mastodons would plate one more run in the fourth, as Green singled and stole second only to be driven in by Clark, who singled down the left field line. Going into the fifth inning, the Rockets trailed by three (5-2).

A double by sophomore RF Denise Van Vossen in the top of the sixth plated two runs for Toledo to bring the game to within one (5-4). With bases loaded, Van Vossen knocked in McCauley and Moxim.

Another bases loaded situation in the seventh inning would prove beneficial as UT would clinch the win after scoring four unanswered runs. McCauley made it all possible with a grand slam over the left field fence, which was her second homer of the week and third of her collegiate career.

In need to make up a three-run deficit in the bottom half of the inning, the `Dons were shut down after an interference call and two fly-outs to end the doubleheader opener with a Toledo victory, 8-5.

Pettitt picked up her 14th win of the season with her complete-game showing, allowing nine hits and walking one batter.

Recording multiple hits for the Rockets were Muratori (2-for-4), Singer (2-for-3, RBI, two runs scored), McCauley (3-for-4, five RBI, two runs scored) and Valerie Moxim (2-for-4, run scored). The hot bats continued into game two, as the Rockets plated two runs in the first inning before knocking in four in the third and fourth.

With bases loaded in the first, McCauley reached base on a fielder's choice to score senior 2B Kris Shultz, who singled, while Kate Moxim would also reach on a fielder's choice to plate Muratori, who singled, as well.

IPFW could only muster one run in the bottom of the second, before Toledo broke out the bats in the third. Muratori hit another single and would be driven in by Singer's first homer of the game for a 4-1 lead. McCauley followed with a single up the middle before Kate Moxim stepped up to the plate to belt her first career home run over the left field fence.

Toledo's starting pitcher, sophomore Lindsey Greer, worked herself into a pickle on the mound giving up three runs before turning over the game to Shultz with bases loaded in the bottom of the third. Two more runs by IPFW tied the game at 6-6 as UT entered the top of the fourth.

Shultz led off the inning with a double and would score off a Mastodon error on junior C Jennifer Susman's sacrifice bunt. Muratori hit her third single of the game as Susman moved up to third. With runners on the corners, Singer connected for her second home run of the game to pull Toledo ahead, 10-6.

Pettitt came into the circle for the last two innings, and held IPFW hitless and scoreless for her third save of the season. Shultz would earn her first career win for the Midnight Blue and Gold, after her 0.2 innings pitched, allowing one hit and one walk. Pettitt faced six batters while fanning one.

Singer's performance extended her hitting streak to six games, while Muratori is now at five. Both individuals were perfect at the plate as Singer went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and five RBI, and Muratori was 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Also recording a multiple-hit showing at the plate was Shultz, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Up next, the Rockets will return to conference action on Saturday, April 30 at Western Michigan for a three-game series. Both games against the Broncos are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.