TOLEDO, Ohio (Interstat) — In a stunning and record-setting offensive explosion, the Toledo Rockets overcame an early eight-run deficit to demolish the Eastern Michigan Eagles 23-8 in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday.

The game, which appeared to be firmly in Eastern Michigan’s control through four innings, turned into a historic rout in the bottom of the fifth, where the Rockets sent 19 batters to the plate and scored 14 runs to seize complete command.

Eastern Michigan built its lead methodically, scoring three runs in the third inning and adding single runs in the fourth and fifth. Leewood Molessa provided a highlight for the Eagles with a solo home run in the fourth, part of his two-hit, two-RBI day. John Hale was perfect at the plate, going 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Toledo, however, began chipping away in the third and fourth innings, plating one and then four runs to cut the deficit to 8-5. The floodgates then burst open in the fifth in an inning that saw four Eastern Michigan pitchers combine to surrender 10 hits, six walks, and two hit batters. The Rockets capitalized on every opportunity, scoring eight runs before even recording an out in the frame.

The pivotal sequence featured back-to-back monumental hits. First, Charlie Scholvin delivered an RBI single to make it 11-8. Then, with the bases loaded, Troy Sudbrook launched a grand slam to right-center field, his first home run of the game, to blow the game open at 15-8. The inning continued, and with the bases loaded again later, Carson McCaleb capped his phenomenal day by crushing a grand slam of his own to center field, bringing the total for the inning to 14 runs and the score to 19-8.

McCaleb, who entered the game in a 0-for-9 slump over his previous four contests, was the undeniable star for Toledo. The catcher finished 2 for 3 with two walks, two runs scored, and a career-high seven RBIs, powered by his fifth-inning grand slam and a two-run double in the fourth.

Sudbrook complemented McCaleb’s performance by going 3 for 5 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Scholvin drove in four runs on a 2-for-4 day, and pinch-hitter Jackson Hiatt added a two-run homer in the sixth inning to extend the lead.

The Rockets’ bullpen sealed the lopsided win with three scoreless innings of relief. Braden Curry worked a perfect sixth, and Arturo Ormaza struck out two in a hitless seventh.

For Eastern Michigan, starter Cal Rutherford took the brunt of the damage, charged with four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. The Eagles used seven pitchers in total, with Brian Henson Jr. recording the final out of the sixth inning on a strikeout.

The victory improved Toledo’s season record to an even 15-15, while Eastern Michigan fell to 10-20. The two teams were scheduled to conclude their doubleheader later Friday evening.