BGSU baseball (15-24, 8-13) prepares to face off against their rivals in Toledo (18-23, 13-8) for the Battle of I-75’s first appearance at the newly renovated Steller Field.
The first pitch of the Friday matchup was moved from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday is set for 3:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. first pitches, respectively.
Matchup History
The Battle of I-75 has been around since 1921, with the first game between the programs ending in a 4-4 tie on May 4.
The Falcons lead the all-time series 142-100-3, but the Rockets won three of four matchups between the two in the 2025 season.
The most important game between the two teams last season was taken by Toledo, a 14-12 victory in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament at Crushers Stadium in Avon, Ohio.
While at Steller Field, Bowling Green holds the advantage with a 73-42-3 record, including a sweep in the 2024 season.
Scouting Bowling Green
The Falcons head into the rivalry on a four-game losing streak. Before taking a 9-6 loss to Michigan on Wednesday, Bowling Green was swept in MAC play by UMass, with all three games coming down to the last inning.
The Orange and Brown find themselves in a tough spot with only four MAC series to go, needing a lot to lean their way to appear in the MAC tournament. They must take the series, if not sweep, against the Rockets.
Bowling Green does get the return of senior infielder Sam Seidel, who came up hobbling after a home run against Ohio State.
He made his first appearance in nearly two weeks against the Minutemen but was unable to record a hit. Seidel then picked up where he left off against Ohio State with a three-run homer against Michigan on Wednesday.
Freshman catcher Andrew DiLodovico has also stepped it up from the plate, knocking two home runs against Canisius, a double against UMass, and two hits against Michigan.
Scouting Toledo
The Rockets also head into the matchup on a skid, dropping seven of their last 10 games.
Their last game was a 21-0 victory over Youngstown State, but that was after an 11-10 loss to the Penguins the day prior.
Along with that, Toledo is 2-4 in their last two conference series, taking losses to Western Michigan and Miami (OH).
The most consistent bat in the lineup comes from redshirt junior infielder Troy Sudbrook, batting .364 on the season. Sudbrook also leads the team in RBI, doubles, triples, and home runs, while being second in hits.
Another central piece of the Rockets’ lineup is junior infielder Charlie Scholvin, turning the most double plays defensively and swiping the most stolen bases. Scholvin is shortly behind Sudbrook in most categories, outside of runs and walks, in which he leads the team.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Anthony Mitta (Bowling Green No. 40)
Besides going hitless against Canisius and Michigan, Mitta has been a force to be reckoned with in the box. He was on a nine-game hitting streak and had gotten a hit in all but seven games this season. His only back-to-back hitless games came against Georgia Tech to begin the season. He’ll need to get back on track to how he played in his games against MAC opponents if the Falcons want their best chance to beat the Rockets.
Carrson Sova (Bowling Green No. 9)
After having a shaky start to the season and being moved to relief to build confidence, Sova has been consistent in his last two starts against Central Michigan and UMass. Sova worked through five innings in both outings, allowing seven hits and striking out eight. With the Orange and Brown thin on pitching recently, it will be important for Sova to be able to go that distance again, with a similar outcome as well.
After playing two seasons at Alvin College, a junior college in Texas, Baker has taken off for the Rockets in his junior season. Leading the team in hits and being within the top three of nearly every other category, Baker has brought major positives to the Toledo outfield. Baker will look to keep the train rolling against the Falcons.
Nathan Leininger (Toledo No. 27)
Starting in all 10 of his appearances on the mound, Leininger has been dominant against all opponents. His 2.20 ERA includes shutout outings against Western Michigan, UMass, and Jacksonville State. The most runs the senior right-hander has given up on the season was five to Northern Illinois, a game the Rockets still won. His first loss came against Miami (OH), in which he still pitched six innings and only gave up three runs. For Toledo to take this series against Bowling Green, Leininger will have to have another monstrous outing.
