YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Interstat) — The Toledo Rockets erupted for 11 first-inning runs and four pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout in a 21-0 rout of the Youngstown State Penguins in nonconference baseball Wednesday at Eastwood Field.

The Rockets (18-23) exacted immediate revenge for an 11-10 loss to the Penguins (9-31) just 24 hours earlier, sending 15 batters to the plate in a marathon top of the first that featured six hits, four walks, two hit batters and two Youngstown State pitching changes.

Toledo’s offensive barrage rendered the Interstat game simulator’s projection of a 5-3 Penguins victory obsolete, instead fulfilling the system’s ELO-based probability that gave the Rockets a 71.2% chance to win.

The most important sequence of the game was that decisive first inning, which set the tone for the lopsided affair. After Cade Baker led off with a single and stole second, Toledo worked three consecutive walks, the last to Cole Cahill with the bases loaded to force in the first run. Liam Arsich followed with a two-run double, and Alex McCranie later added a two-run single. By the time Charlie Scholvin delivered an RBI single off reliever Lane Rhodes, the Rockets had built an 11-0 lead, effectively deciding the contest before Youngstown State recorded its first at-bat.

Toledo starter John Hojnowski, named the top star, capitalized on the massive early support with four perfect innings, striking out three. Relievers Sam Rufenacht (two innings), and Matt Hubbard (one inning) preserved the combined shutout, allowing no hits over the final three frames. The Penguins’ only hits were a first-inning single by Garrett Cutting, a second-inning double by Misael Uriepero and a fourth-inning single by Teddy Ruffner.

The Rockets continued to add on, scoring three in the third, one in the fourth, one in the fifth and five more in the sixth. Jackson Hiatt provided the exclamation point with a two-run homer to left-center in the sixth inning, part of his 2-for-4, three-RBI day.

Arsich drove in four runs without an official at-bat, going 1-for-1 with a double, two sacrifice flies and a hit-by-pitch. Cahill had a triple and three RBIs, while Baker walked twice, was hit twice, and drove in two runs.

Youngstown State used eight pitchers, with starter Aidan Dorsch failing to record an out. Rhodes was charged with three runs over three innings of long relief. Nathan Beckley had the cleanest outing for the Penguins, allowing one hit in a scoreless seventh inning.

Toledo looks to carry the momentum into a weekend Mid-American Conference series at Bowling Green starting Friday. Youngstown State travels to face Illinois-Chicago in a Horizon League series beginning the same day.