MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth affair that stretched into extra innings Sunday evening, the Central Michigan Chippewas walked off with a 6-5 victory over the Toledo Rockets in 11 innings to claim the weekend series.

The game, which featured 24 combined hits and multiple late-inning rallies, was decided in the bottom of the 11th. After a leadoff single by Zach Knowlton and a fielder’s choice, a wild pitch moved the winning run into scoring position. With two outs, Alex Bowman lined a single up the middle, scoring the runner from second and sending the Chippewas to a dramatic win.

The contest was a pitcher’s duel for much of the early going, defined by a standout performance from Toledo starter Hayden Frey. The right-hander was dominant, working seven strong innings and allowing just three earned runs on nine hits while striking out nine. He left with a 5-3 lead, courtesy of a clutch ninth-inning home run from his own offense.

Central Michigan starter Hayden Bailey matched him for much of the night, giving up three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings. The Chippewas struck first in the third inning when catcher Logan Keilen launched a two-run homer to center field, scoring Bowman who had doubled.

Toledo responded immediately in the top of the third. After a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch, Troy Sudbrook drove in a run with a double to left center. John Walton followed with an RBI single to give the Rockets a 2-0 lead. They added another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Drew McCranie, making it 3-2.

The Rockets carried that one-run lead into the late innings, but Central Michigan chipped away in the seventh. A pinch-runner stole second and scored on an RBI fielder’s choice by Nick Loikits, tying the game at 3-3.

The Chippewas then appeared to seize control in the eighth inning against Toledo reliever Michael Fliss. After a double and an intentional walk, Knowlton delivered a two-run double to left field, plating both runners to give Central Michigan its first lead at 5-3.

Needing a rally in the top of the ninth, Toledo found one. With one out and a runner on first, shortstop Charlie Scholvin connected for a two-run homer to center field, knotting the score at 5-5 and stunning the home crowd. Sudbrook followed with a triple but was stranded, sending the game to extras.

Both teams threatened in the 10th but could not score, setting the stage for the 11th-inning heroics from Bowman.

Jared Hanson earned the win for Central Michigan with two scoreless innings of relief, while Fliss took the loss for Toledo.

With the victory, Central Michigan improved to 9-11 on the season, while Toledo fell to 10-11. The Chippewas took two of three games in the weekend series after splitting the first two contests.