TOLEDO, Ohio (Interstat) — Deron Swanson delivered a dominant start and the Toledo offense erupted for four first-inning runs to set the tone for an 11-1 victory over Massachusetts in Mid-American Conference baseball action Saturday at Scott Park Baseball Complex.

The Rockets (5-8, 2-0 MAC) secured the series win after taking the opener 5-0 on Friday, handing the Minutemen (4-4, 0-2) their second straight lopsided defeat.

Swanson, Toledo’s top star, was the story on the mound. The right-hander overpowered Massachusetts over six strong innings, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out nine. His performance built on a stellar outing the previous week against Lipscomb, where he threw five no-hit innings. On Saturday, he faced minimal threat after the second inning, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters he faced.

The game was effectively decided in the bottom of the first. After Massachusetts starter Drew Sliwkowski recorded two quick outs, the Rockets’ offense ignited. Cade Baker and Charlie Scholvin hit back-to-back singles. Alex McCranie then drove in Baker with a fielder’s choice to tie the game. Following a walk to Troy Sudbrook, designated hitter Cole Meyer launched a three-run homer to center field, staking Toledo to a 4-0 lead before many in the afternoon-turned-evening crowd had settled in.

Massachusetts managed its only run in the top of the second when catcher Ryan Kolben homered to left-center off Swanson. It was one of only three hits all day for the Minutemen.

Toledo relentlessly added to its lead. In the second inning, an RBI single from Scholvin scored Ryan Sudbrook. The Rockets broke the game open in the third, chasing Sliwkowski and tagging reliever Sam Perry. With the bases loaded, Baker laced a two-run single to left, pushing the advantage to 7-1.

The most important sequence of the game, however, was Toledo’s four-run fourth inning, which capitalized on Massachusetts miscues to put the contest out of reach. All three runs in the frame were unearned, coming via a fielding error by the center fielder, a throwing error by the third baseman, and a sacrifice fly by Liam Arsich. The outburst was highlighted by a pinch-hit RBI single from Luke Walton.

Baker finished a standout day at the plate going 4 for 5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Meyer’s three RBIs on his first-inning homer provided the early cushion from which Swanson operated comfortably.

For Massachusetts, Lorcan Lee provided a bright spot in relief, throwing 3 1/3 hitless innings with three strikeouts after entering in the fourth. But the damage was already done. Minutemen pitchers combined to issue eight walks and hit three batters, consistently fueling Toledo rallies.

Toledo’s final run came in the seventh on a wild pitch that scored Baker, who had singled and stolen a base.

Michael Fliss closed out the win for Toledo with a scoreless seventh inning in relief of Swanson.

The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday afternoon. Massachusetts will look to avoid the sweep before returning home, while Toledo aims for a perfect MAC opening weekend.