Dudics extends hit streak to 34 games

It was a weekend to remember as solid pitching and a hit streak of historic proportions propelled the Rockets to a three-game sweep against Eastern Michigan this weekend at Oestrike Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mich. The sweep gave Toledo 31 wins on the season, which is UT's first 30-win season since 1999. Junior shortstop Chris Dudics hit safely in all three games to extend his hitting streak to 34 games and surpass the old Mid-American Conference record for longest hitting streak of 32 games set in by current Cleveland Indians farmhand and EMU alum Brian Bixler.

"I am very pleased with how we are playing right now," Toledo head coach Cory Mee said. "Our pitching is doing great, I feel like we are playing our best baseball right now and Chris Dudics is one of the guys who is doing an unbelievable job."

Dudics streak is the longest in Toledo history and the second longest active hitting streak in the nation behind Florida International's Garrett Wittels, whose streak stands at 45 games.

"Dudics is our man at leadoff," Mee said. "He gets everything started for us and what he is doing is remarkable. He competes in every at-bat and his hard work is paying off. He's outstanding and he hits the ball hard every time. He leads by example and what he's doing is outstanding."

Sophomore Lincoln Rassi started yesterday's contest for the Rockets (31-19, 17-7 MAC) and allowed two runs over three innings of work. Freshman Cody Umbright (3-3) earned the win against Eastern Michigan (25-27, 13-11) after he pitched four innings of one-run ball. Senior Mike Inselmann and sophomore Kyle Shaw each worked an inning of relief to close the door on the Eagles.

Dudics paced Toledo with his game-high three hits and also scored two runs. Senior infielder Tim Krofcheck and sophomore infielder Matt Delewski each had two-hit games and one RBI while Delewski's classmate and fellow infielder Joe Corfman also had two hits and contributed with two RBI.

UT was down 2-1 entering the sixth but thanks to RBI singles by senior catcher Aaron Dudley and sophomore outfielder Jeff Cola, the Rockets took a 3-2 lead and didn't look back. A Corfman single plated two in the seventh but EMU replied with one in the home half to make the score 5-3. Krofcheck doubled down the right field line to score one in the eighth and a fielder's choice in the ninth scored junior outfielder Dan Sherwood and locked up the 7-3 victory for the Rockets.

Saturday saw freshman starter Mike Hamann (6-3) go six innings and give up two runs on three hits to earn his team-high sixth win of the year. Junior reliever Matt Kuna pitched the final three innings and surrendered just one hit to earn his third save of the season.

Dudics went 1 for 3 to keep his hit streak going while junior center fielder Jared Hoying went 1 for 4 with two RBI and Dudley added a two-run blast in the 5-2 win.

Junior Matt Suschak (4-1) started and earned the win Friday against EMU after giving up three runs and setting career highs when struck out seven batters in a collegiate-high 6.1 innings. Shaw worked the final 2.2 innings to earn his first careeer save.

Hoying had a game-high three hits and knocked in four runs. Krofcheck went 2 for 5 with an RBI while Dudics also went 2 for 5 to give the Rockets the 6-3 victory.

Toledo returns to action Tuesday at home against Dayton (23-29, 12-12 Atlantic-10). The Rockets will also host MAC West leader Ball State (27-24, 18-6) on May 20-22.

"This team has been a pleasure to be with," Mee said. "They are so mentally tough, they go out and compete every day and we only worry about what we can handle. I can't wait to go against a quality team like Ball State and it should definitely be competitive and exciting this weekend."