2013 SEASON OUTLOOK IN THIS SECTION Top Returnees Toledo Outlook 22-28

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1 2013 SEASON OUTLOOK IN THIS SECTION 2013 Top Returnees Toledo Outlook 22-28

2 TOP RETURNEES Matt Delewski (Sr., INF) 2012:.306, 16 R, 11 2B, 20 RBI Two-Time Second-Team All-MAC Ben Hammer (Sr., OF) 2012:.257, 23 R, 8 2B, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 9 SB 2011 Second-Team All-MAC Two-Time First-Team Academic All- District James Miglin (Jr., C) 2012:.274, 29 R, 7 2B, 5 HR, 33 RBI First-Team Academic All-District 2013 College Sports Madness Preseason All-MAC Second-Team Kyle Shaw (Sr., LHP) 2011: 6-3, 3.87 ERA, 76.2 IP, 45 K s Sits Ninth in UT Annals in Career Fewest Walks Per Inning (0.306) Ryan Wilkinson (Jr., LHP) 2012: 7-4, 2.99 ERA, 78.1 IP, 50 K s Ranked Tied for Fourth in MAC in Wins, Tied for Fifth in Shutouts (1) and Sixth in ERA Jared Locke (Sr., RHP) 2012: 3-7, 4.87 ERA, 64.2 IP, 43 K s Cody Umbright (Jr., RHP) 2012: 1-0, 1.91 ERA, 33.0 IP, 21 K s Reigning Mid-American Conference West Division Champion Toledo Enters Unchartered Territory in 2013; Looks to Qualify for MAC Tournament for School-Record Fifth-Straight Season The Toledo baseball program enters unchartered territory in The Rockets will be the hunted in the Mid- American Conference West Division this spring, instead of the hunter. The Midnight Blue & Gold captured its first division crown in 88 years a season ago and secured the No. 2 seed in the league tournament. UT s 19-8 (.704) MAC record equaled its best mark since the conference went to a threegame series prior to the 2004 campaign. Our program took a big step in 2012, no doubt about it, 10th-year head coach Cory Mee said. Last year was a great accomplishment for us to win the first division championship in school history. We also understand that 2013 is a new year. The team knows it has to earn its way back to that spot, but I would rather be in first place then anywhere else. I hope it s a motivating factor for our team in the way they approach the game on a daily basis. They know they have their work cut out for them to stay on top. Unfortunately for UT, the teams division crown in 2012 was overshadowed by a disappointing finish to the season. The Rockets bats didn t come through in the postseason tournament and the 2012 MAC West Division champions were eliminated in two games. Mee expects the Rockets to be hungry to repeat as division champions and determined to make sure there isn t a repeat of that quick exit in the tourney in I think we were all disappointed with the outcome of the conference tournament, said Mee, whose team is (.654) in MAC regular-season games over the last three seasons. What the tournament did was expose some of the areas we need to improve in, particularly on offense. We need to be better at executing our approach at the plate and being more aggressive on the fastball. Toledo is optimistic that 2013 could be even better than 2012 with the talent that is returning and the addition of several highly-skilled newcomers. UT welcomes 10 newcomers and returns 20 letterwinners from last year s squad that advanced to the MAC Tournament for a school-record fourth consecutive season and fifth time in the last six years. The Rockets also registered their ninth 30-win Toledo Baseball Information Guide Our program took a big step in 2012, no doubt about it. Last year was a great accomplishment for us to win the first division championship in school history. We also understand that 2013 is a new year. The team knows it has to earn its way back to that spot, but I would rather be in first place then anywhere else. Head Coach Cory Mee season in school history in 2012, tied for sixth most in school history and its second under coach Mee. We re definitely excited for the spring, Mee said. I m anxious about going out and seeing what we re capable of. The Rockets are once again loaded with talent and will be led by senior OF Ben Hammer, (Wayne, OH), senior INF Matt Delewski (Maple Heights, OH), senior LHP Kyle Shaw (LaGrange, OH), senior RHP Jared Locke (Dundee, MI), junior LHP Ryan Wilkinson (Munster,

3 KYLE SHAW IN) and junior C James Miglin (Warsaw, IN). Leadership is a collective effort on our team, and it s important that everybody plays a role in that and is accountable, Mee said. That s one area if our guys continue to concentrate, I think it will bode well for our club in It s always comforting for me to have guys like Ben (Hammer) and Matt (Delewski) who have been three-year starters for us. Also back this year for his fifth year is Kyle (Shaw), who means a lot to our pitching staff after missing last season. Jared (Locke) and Ryan (Wilkinson) have also been great leaders on our staff. PITCHING A key to the Rockets success in 2013 will be the pitching staff and their ability to throw strikes and work ahead in the count. A season ago, UT hurlers posted a 3.92 ERA, third-best mark in the MAC and its lowest total since the 1984 campaign (3.53 ERA). As a staff, Toledo limited its opponents to a.275 average, surrendering 5.0 runs on 9.5 hits with a league-low 3.4 walks and 6.4 strikeouts per game. They also recorded a schoolrecord 366 punchouts and yielded two runs or less on 13 occasions. Unfortunately, Toledo will have to replace two weekend starters (senior RHP Matt Kuna and junior RHP Mike Hamann), one of its top relievers (senior RHP Tyler Scott) and its closer (senior RHP Lincoln Rassi) in Hamann was drafted into the professional ranks for a second time, while Kuna and Rassi signed on a free agents following the conclusion of the MLB Draft. Mee and the Rocket pitching corps know they have a challenge in replacing those players. We lost some really quality arms from a season ago, but I feel good about the pitching staff we have right now, Mee said. I definitely believe we have many guys who are more than capable to step into their shoes. The pitching rotation will start with senior LHP Kyle Shaw and junior LHP Ryan Wilkinson. Shaw is healthy once again after sitting out the 2012 campaign with an arm injury. A hard-throwing southpaw hurler, he currently sits ninth in UT annals in career fewest walks per inning (min frames) (0.306). The two-time MAC West Division Pitcher of the Week was one of the Rockets weekend starters in 2011, sporting a 6-3 record with a 3.87 ERA. Shaw accumulated 76.2 innings of work two years ago, yielding 39 runs (33 earned) on 88 hits with 45 strikeouts and tossed at least 7.0 frames in seven starts. Kyle has pitched a lot of important innings for us during his career, Mee said. He has been everything from our No. 1 starter to our closer. He ll be a guy that we ll count on each weekend to go out and do what he does best: throw strikes, be aggressive and compete. Wilkinson was simply outstanding as the Rockets Friday starter the last eight weeks in He compiled a 5-2 ledger with a 2.50 ERA in MAC games, en route to earning second-team all-conference accolades. Overall in 2012, Wilkinson sported a 7-4 mark with a 2.99 ERA and one save. He accumulated 78.1 innings of work, surrendering 37 runs (26 earned) on 86 hits with 50 strikeouts. The Munster, IN native worked at least 6.0 frames in five of his 11 starts and finished tied for fourth in the MAC in wins, tied for fifth in shutouts (1) and sixth in ERA. Wilkinson currently sits third in UT annals in career fewest walks per inning (.243, minimum frames), fifth in ERA (2.70, minimum frames) and eighth in win percentage (.688, 11-5). He is also tied for fourth in school history in total appearances (25, 2011) in the singleseason record book. Ryan set the tone for us on the mound the second half of last spring, Mee said. He was our Friday guy and did a great job in that role, and I expect him to have another great season in Having Ryan and Kyle back really makes me feel good about the top of our starting rotation. Also figuring into the weekend and/ or mid-week rotation will be junior RHP Cameron Palmer (Canton, OH), sophomore RHP Adam Tyson (Wayne, OH), sophomore RHP Andrew Marra (La- Salle, ONT), freshman RHP Caleb Schillace (LaGrange, OH) and freshman RHP Kyle Slack (Edwardsburg, MI). Palmer tallied a 1-1 record with a 6.75 ERA in seven appearances in He totaled 12.0 innings of work, allowing 14 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits with 10 strikeouts. The Canton, OH native threw a season-high 4.1 frames against College World Series participant Kent State in his lone start of the season, giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits with three punchouts (April 4). Tyson is healthy again for sitting out the 2012 season with an arm injury. He saw action in 24 games in a relief role in 2011, tied for sixth-most in school history in a single-season record book, notching a RYAN WILKINSON 2012 MAC West Division Champions 23

4 2-3 record with a 7.02 ERA and two saves in 33.1 frames of work. He finished tied for seventh in the MAC and tied for second on the team in total appearances. Marra appeared in 18 contests in 2012, sporting a 1-1 ledger with a 5.62 ERA and a team-high four saves in 24.0 innings of work. He finished tied for first on the team and tied for ninth in the MAC in saves. Schillace posted a 5-2 mark with a 2.00 ERA as a senior at Keystone High School. He attended the same high school as current Rocket Kyle Shaw and batted.350 with six roundtrippers and 30 RBI in 2012, garnering honorable mention all-state, first-team all-league, first-team all-county and first-team all-district honors. Slack registered an 11-1 ledger with 105 strikeouts and a tiny 0.57 ERA in 61.0 frames of work as a senior at Edwardsburg High School. He also batted.304 with three home runs and 24 RBI last spring, earning first-team all-state, firstteam all-conference, first-team all-district and first-team all-region accolades. I really like our options for the third weekend starter and mid-week starter, Mee said. We have five talented guys fighting it out. I think that competition is only going to make everyone of them better as the season goes on. Senior RHP Jared Locke (Dundee, MI) will make the transition to the back end of the bullpen in 2013 after serving as a mid-week starter the last two years CAMERON PALMER JARED LOCKE at UT. I m really excited about Jared moving to the bullpen, Mee said. I think that s going to be a very important move for both our team and him. Jared has always had great stuff and at times has been really good for us. A season ago, Locke posted a 3-7 record with a 4.87 ERA in 12 starts. He totaled 64.2 innings of work, giving up 44 runs (35 earned) on 78 hits with 43 strikeouts. The Dundee, MI native finished second on the squad in games started, tied for third in victories, fourth in innings pitched and tied for fourth in punchouts. Locke has worked at least 6.0 innings in eight career starts at Toledo. Several other pitchers could make valuable relief pitching contributions in 2013, including junior RHP Cody Umbright (Suffield, OH), sophomore RHP Alec Schmenk (Perrysburg, OH), redshirt freshman RHP Austin Schmidt (Sylvania, OH) and redshirt freshman RHP Cory Finkler (Olmsted Falls, OH). Umbright was nearly unhittable in a team-high 23 relief appearance games in He sported a 1-0 record with 1.91 ERA. Umbright accumulated 33.0 innings of work, surrendering seven runs (all earned) on 30 hits with 21 strikeouts. The fourth-year Rocket tied for first on the squad in total appearances and gave up only one run on seven hits with five punchouts over his final 10 appearances, Toledo Baseball Information Guide covering 12.2 frames (April 14-May 23). Umbright currently sits tied for ninth in school history in total appearances in UT s single-season record book. The part of Cody s game I like the most is that he throws strikes, Mee said. He also does a great job of keeping his poise in all situations. It s definitely comforting to have a guy who wants to have the ball then the game is on the line. Schmenk is coming off a solid freshman campaign in 2012 that saw him toe the rubber in 14 games, making three starts. He tallied a 1-1 mark with a 3.86 ERA, surrendering 22 runs (12 earned) on 30 hits with 21 strikeouts in 28.0 innings of work. The local product tossed a season-high 5.0 frames at Big Ten member Michigan, giving up one run on five hits with one punchout to earn his first collegiate victory (April 11). Schmenk followed up his solid spring with an even better summer for the playoff participant Lake Erie Monarchs in the GLSCL. He posted a 3-2 record in seven starts with a team-high 42 strikeouts and 3.73 ERA in a squad-best 41.0 frames of work. Schmidt is healthy again after sitting out the 2012 season with an arm injury. He posted a miniscule 0.50 ERA on the mound as a senior at nearby Sylvania Northview High School. Schmidt also hit.375 with three home runs and 25 RBI in 2011, earning first-team all-league and first-team all-district accolades. He was CODY UMBRIGHT

5 MATT DELEWSKI rated the 48th-best prospect in the state by The Buckeye Scout. Finkler did not see game action in He posted a 2-2 record as a senior at St. Ignatius High School in Finkler also batted.360 with two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI during his final season, en route to being rated as the 98thbest prospect in the state by The Buckeye Scout. A group of newcomers are also expected to challenge the Rockets returnees for time on the mound and will likely form the heart of the middle relief corps. This group includes freshman LHP Ross Achter (Oregon, OH), freshman LHP Austin Franzen (Warsaw, IN), freshman RHP Kevin Kline (Hamler, OH) and freshman RHP John Martillotta (Chardon, OH). Achter recorded 64 strikeouts and a 1.87 ERA in 48.2 innings of work as a senior at nearby Oregon Clay High School. The southpaw hurler also hit.390 with 22 RBI last spring, earning first-team all-conference, first-team all-district, first-team all-city and first-team academic all-league honors. Franzen was named a Prep Baseball Report Top 60 player and Team MVP as a senior at Warsaw Community High School. He also posted the team s highest batting average and most RBI, en route to garnering first-team all-conference recognition. Kline posted a 9-3 ledger with 63 strikeouts and a 1.31 ERA in 54.0 innings of work as a senior at Patrick Henry High School. For his contributions to the team, the four-year letterwinner was selected first-team all-league for a third-straight season and second-team all-state. Martillotta tallied a 6-1 mark with 85 punchouts and a miniscule 0.80 ERA in 53.0 innings of work as a senior at Chardon High School. He also hit.410 with 11 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 11 walks as a senior captain, leading his team to a league and district championship with a 25-4 record. For his efforts on the diamond, Martillotta garnered first-team Mizuno All-State and first-team all-conference honors, as well as being named the Cleveland Plain Dealer and The News Herald Player of the Year. He was also rated the 49th-best prospect in the state by The Buckeye Scout. Another option on the mound in 2013 will be senior LHP Ben Hammer. Hammer saw action in seven games on the mound in 2009, but has not made an appearance each of the last two seasons. He made one start as a freshman and gave up 13 runs (12 earned) on 10 hits with 11 punchouts in 10.1 innings of work. Junior LHP Trever Gast (Jenera, OH) is slated to miss the 2013 camaign with an arm injury. Gast appeared in six games in a relief role last spring, sporting a ERA with five punchouts and no decisions in 4.0 innings of work. INFIELDERS Toledo returns a plethora of talent in the infield in That is definitely a shot in the arm for Mee and his staff, as the Rockets must replace the school s all-time hit leader for a second-consecutive season. Gone is two-time All-MAC recipient Joe Corfman, as well as 2011 second-team all-league performer Mark Lapikas, but three starters return to make the infield a clear-cut strength in Senior Matt Delewski will handle the duties at first base for a third time in the last four seasons. The two-time All-MAC honoree batted.306 (53-for-173) with 16 runs scored, 11 doubles and 20 RBI in 44 starts at designated hitter last spring. Delewski hit safely in 37 contests, including 13 multi-hit efforts. The two-time Academic All-MAC selection was at his best during league play, batting a sizzling.340 (34-for-100) with a team-high nine two-base hits and 17 RBI. Matt is just a good baseball player, Mee said. He is the kind of player coaches love because you know what you re going to get from him. You re going to get his maximum effort each day and really good at-bats every time which helps offensively with our approach. Freshman Nate Pearson (Toledo, OH) will look to earn playing time at first base as well in A 2012 graduate of nearby St. John s Jesuit High School, Pearson batted.492 with 17 doubles, one home run and 28 RBI as a senior, earning first-team all-league, first-team all-city and first-team all-district accolades. Junior Wes White (Canal Winchester, OH) will move from the hot corner to second base in White is coming off a sensational sophomore campaign which saw him hit a team-high.336 (37-for-110) with 10 runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI in He finished first on the team in batting average and on-base percentage (.431), as well as ranking third in slugging percentage (.418). Wes is one of those players that you can put at any of those infield positions, Mee said. He is an invaluable resource to our team. Across the diamond, sophomore Nate Langhals (Strongsville, OH) returns for his second season at shortstop this spring. Langhals took over the position midway WES WHITE 2012 MAC West Division Champions 25

6 NATE LANGHALS through the 2012 season and started 31 games, hitting.217 (23-for-106) with 15 runs scored, one double, one triple and 12 RBI. Nate solidified our infield last year when we made the move to insert him at shortstop, Mee said. He did a fantastic job of taking charge of the infield. One of the things he has worked hard improving has been his swing and it led to an increase of offensive production for him this fall. Hopefully, that s an indication of what we will see in the spring. Also competing for playing time at second base and shortstop will be junior Zack Michael (Powell, OH) and freshman Deion Tansel (Grand Rapids, OH). Michael scored five runs in 14 games in Tansel batted.420 with 44 thefts as a senior at nearby Anthony Wayne High School. A speedster on the base paths, he totaled 80 stolen bases over his final three seasons with the Generals, garnering first-team all-state, league MVP, first-team all-conference and first-team all-district accolades last spring. We have a couple of different options in the middle infield, Mee said. Zack made great improvement at the plate in the fall, which I was excited to see. He can play any infield position so he gives us great versatility. Then we have Deion who gives us a different dimension. He is an outstanding defensive player and an exciting offensive player. He is kind of a catalyst; he can hit, bunt, get on base and steal bases. He is the type of offensive player that will cause concern for opponents because he can hurt you so many ways. Sophomore Anthony Smith (Hinkley, OH) is projected to be the starter at third base in 2013 after splitting time between the hot corner and left field last spring. Smith made 30 starts at third base and 21 in left field in He hit.265 (48-for-181) with 20 runs scored, 10 doubles, one home run and 18 RBI during his rookie season with the Rockets. Smith finished tied for second on the team in multi-hit efforts (14) and tied for fourth in multi-rbi games (6). Anthony has improved so much since last year, Mee said. He has made himself into a really good third baseman. He is becoming much more consistent with his offensive approach. I think he has a chance to be a really good player. OUTFIELDERS The Rockets look to be solid across the outfield in Senior Ben Hammer will anchor the group in centerfield for a third-consecutive season. One of two players to start all 57 games last spring, Hammer hit.257 (58-for-226) with 23 runs scored, eight doubles, two home runs, a team-high 34 RBI and nine stolen bases. The two-time first-team Academic All-District selection has started 136 of 142 games in his three seasons at Toledo and recorded 41 multihit efforts. Ben anchors us out there with his outstanding defense in centerfield, Mee said. Maybe offensively it was a little bit of an off year last spring, but he s still a threat in the lineup and helps us because opponents know what he is capable of doing. This year, I m excited because he had a super summer and an outstanding fall, and I think he s going to have a great year for us. In left field, junior Tyler Grogg (Holland, OH) has the opportunity to start after batting.200 (16-for-80) with 11 runs scored, two doubles and seven RBI in 48 games in Grogg was also a perfect 10-of-10 in stolen-base attempts. Tyler really made strides this fall, Mee said. He is another guy that gives Toledo Baseball Information Guide us an extra dimension. His speed has allowed him to become an excellent base stealer and a good defensive outfielder. He really causes problems for opponents. Challenging for playing time in right field will be senior Andy Mix (Baltimore, OH), junior Jacob North (Barberton, OH) and freshman Ryan Callahan (Delta, OH). Mix hit.208 (10-for-48) with seven runs scored, two doubles, one home run and five RBI in 22 games in North batted.167 (8-for-48) with four runs scored, two doubles and two RBI in 27 contests last spring. Callahan hit.476 with one home run and 30 RBI as a senior at Delta High School, earning first-team all-league recognition for a third-consecutive season. Andy and Jacob have both come along offensively, Mee said. Ryan has also shown good things with the bat. I think all of those guys will make contributions for us, and it s going to come down to who is producing the most offensively when we make decisions about playing time in right field. Sophomore Dan Zuchowski (Hamtramck, MI) is expected to miss a majority of the 2013 campaign while rehabbing an arm injury. Zuchowski will be sorely missed, as he started 49 games a season ago. A utility player who can play any position on the diamond, including ANTHONY SMITH

7 BEN HAMMER pitcher, he hit.258 (47-for-182) with 28 runs scored, 11 doubles, a team-high two triples, four home runs and 26 RBI during the spring. A season ago, he made starts at four different positions. Zuchowski led the squad in three-base hits, as well as ranking tied for first in sacrifice bunts (8), tied for second in multi-rbi games (7), third in home runs and walks (22), tied for third in two-base hits, fourth in runs scored, RBI, total bases (74) and slugging percentage (.407). This past summer, Zuchowski was named one of the top prospects in the Prospect League, hitting.340 (68-for-200) with 14 two-base hits, eight roundtrippers and 44 RBI in 49 games. The 2012 Prospect League All-Star selection finished tied for 10th in the league in runs scored, tied for 13th in home runs, tied for 14th in doubles, 15th in batting average and tied for 16th in hits and RBI. Dan started everyday for us as a freshman, and he followed it up with a great summer, earning all-star accolades in the Prospect League, Mee said. I m disappointed for him and the team, as he will more than likely miss the majority of the season. There is an outside chance that we might get him back late in the spring, as a hitter. Dan is going to work hard at rehab and try to get back as soon as he can, but it gives an opportunity to somebody else. BEHIND THE PLATE Junior James Miglin returns for his second season as the Rockets main backstop in Miglin hit.274 (54-for-197) with 29 runs scored, seven doubles, five home runs and 33 RBI in 52 starts last spring, en route to earning first-team Academic All-District Division One honors. An excellent defensive catcher, Miglin threw out 19-of-54 (.352) potential base stealers. Offensively, he finished second on the team in round trippers, RBI and hit by pitch (10), tied for second in multihit efforts (14), multi-rbi games (7) and sacrifice flies (4) and third in runs scored and total bases (76). James has a couple years of experience now, and he is an excellent receiver, Mee said. He really improved his ability to block pitches in the dirt last spring and he throws very well. This fall, we really encouraged James to take more control of the game, and I thought he did an excellent job working with the pitchers. You could really start to see him communicate well and relate with them which is key to getting the best performance out of them. I d love to see him take more of a leadership role on our team with the position he plays. He is progressing as a player just as we hoped. Redshirt freshman Lucas Sokol (Akron, OH) and freshman Tyler Baar (Jenison, MI) will also look for playing time behind the plate, as well. TYLER GROGG 2012 MAC West Division Champions ANDY MIX Sokol batted.390 with eight doubles and one home run as a senior at Archbishop Hoban High School two years ago, earning second-team all-conference honors. He was rated as the 45th-best prospect in the state by The Buckeye Scout. Baar hit.357 with 40 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 33 RBI as a senior at Hudsonville High School, garnering first-team all-league, firstteam all-area and first-team all-district recognition. Lucas and Tyler give us quality depth behind the plate, Mee said. Both players work extremely hard and are getting better every day. Lucas has done a great job to get better defensively, while Tyler has made great strides in his conversion from the outfield to catcher. I feel confident that these two players are going to contribute in a positive way when called upon. SCHEDULE Toledo will compete in 56 games over the course of its 2013 campaign. Fifteen of the contests will take place at the friendly confines of Scott Park. The Rockets were 13-7 in home contests a season ago and sport an impressive (.621) ledger at the corner of Parkside Blvd. and Hill Ave. over the last seven seasons. UT will again face a formidable nonleague slate in 2013 against some of the nation s elite conferences. Games against teams from the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, 27

8 Big East, Big South, Atlantic 10, Sun Belt and Horizon highlight the schedule. Early in the year, I like to challenge my team and play the best competition we can, Mee said. We try to give the players new experiences by going to some different places in hopes of preparing them to be successful during MAC play. Added Mee, We understand what lies ahead of us with the teams we will square off against, but I think if we focus on the things we can control and concentrate on how we re playing, we can put ourselves in position to compete with anybody. The 2012 Mid-American Conference West Division champions begin the 2013 campaign with an unprecedented 25 road contests before commencing its home campaign on Friday, March 29 against Miami. The most consecutive road games Toledo had to open the season under Mee s tenure was 22 contests last spring. Toledo will get the ball rolling on Friday-Sunday, Feb when it travels to Cary, NC to battle LaSalle (Feb. 15), Albany (Feb. 16), Villanova (Feb. 16) and Temple (Feb. 17) as part of the Ron Fraser Classic. The following weekend, UT will venture to Charlottesville, VA for a three-game series with Virginia on Friday- Sunday, Feb The ACC member Cavaliers picked up 39 wins in 2012 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. JAMES MIGLIN After returning to Northwest Ohio each of the first two weekends, UT will begin its annual Spring Break trip in Tampa, FL with a three-game set vs. South Florida on Friday-Sunday, March 1-3. The Big East member Bulls claimed 38 victories a season ago. From there, Toledo will make its way to Port Charlotte, FL to tangle with Big East member Georgetown (March 5) and Horizon League participant Valparaiso (March 6) in the Snowbird Classic. The Rockets will then wrap up their southern trip with a three-game series at Sun Belt member Florida Atlantic on March 8-10 in Boca Raton. The Owls had 32 wins in Following its Spring Break trip, Toledo will return to the Midwest for a single contest at Dayton (March 12) and four games at Pittsburgh s Panther Classic (March 15-17) for a second consecutive season. UT is slated to compete against Niagara (March 15-16) and the host Panthers (March 16-17) at the three-day classic. The Flyers won 31 games a season ago and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Rockets will keep their bags packed and remain on the road for a single game at Horizon League member Wright State (March 20), before opening MAC play at East Division foe Ohio (March 22-24). UT s remaining non-conference opponents include Big Ten member Ohio State (March 26), College World Series participant Kent State (April 2, April 11), Big East member Cincinnati (April 3), Dayton (April 9), Big Ten member Michigan State (April 16), Horizon League participant Youngstown State (April 17), Big East member Notre Dame (April 23) and Big Ten participant Michigan (May 8). Our non-conference games are designed to help prepare us for MAC play and we definitely have a challenging nonleague slate, Mee said. We know we re going to have our work cut out for us. This spring, the Rockets will have four Toledo Baseball Information Guide We know that the MAC is a competitive league from top to bottom...we have a great challenge ahead of us with the teams we are playing, but if we focus on the things we can control and concentrate on how we re playing, we can compete with anybody in the conference. Head Coach Cory Mee home MAC weekends, consisting of Miami (March 29-31), Bowling Green (April 12-14), Central Michigan (April 19-21) and Northern Illinois (May 3-5). As part of its 27-game league ledger, Toledo will face Ohio, Buffalo (April 5-7), Western Michigan (April 26-28), Ball State (May 10-12) and Eastern Michigan (May 16-18) on the road. We know that the MAC is a competitive conference from top to bottom, Mee said. We have to be ready to play every single day. That is the mindset that we re trying to instill in our guys. We know we have a great challenge ahead of us with the teams we are playing, but I think if we focus on the things we can control and concentrate on how we re playing we can put ourselves in position to compete with anybody in the conference. LUCAS SOKOL