The Battle of I-75 returns to Fifth Third Field as BGSU baseball (19-31, 12-18) takes on Toledo (27-25, 20-10) in a non-conference rivalry matchup. The first pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
Matchup History
Last year’s Fifth Third Field game ended in an 8-3 Falcons victory over the Rockets, while Toledo ended up taking the other two games of the series.
They also were able to down the Falcons in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament 14-12 in a rain filled affair in Avon, Ohio.
Toledo took the MAC series earlier in this 2026 season, the first time the series was played at the newly renovated Steller Field.
Scouting Bowling Green
The Falcons are playing on the brink of elimination in MAC play. Bowling Green heads into the matchup against Toledo following a weekend series victory over Western Michigan to keep them alive in their hunt for a MAC tournament appearance.
While the Battle of I-75 at Fifth Third Field does not count as a conference game, the Falcons can use it as momentum heading into their final MAC series of the year against Ball State. The Orange and Brown must sweep to stay alive in the tournament hunt.
One of the biggest storylines of this chapter of the rivalry is the return of junior outfielder TJ Takats to Fifth Third Field, the stadium in which the Perrysburg, Ohio native was injured during last year’s game.
Takats has made his way back to nearly full strength in time for the poetic comeback to a place that could not have been worse to him previously.
Scouting Toledo
The Rockets clinched their spot in the MAC tournament after their weekend series victory over Ohio.
Toledo only sits two games behind first place Kent State in the MAC standings, who they play in the final series of the regular season. The Rockets still have a chance to take the regular season crown.
While they have taken the MAC series both of the last two outings, Toledo is searching for their first win at Fifth Third Field since 2023, when the Falcons and Rockets split a doubleheader.
The junior class heavy team is led by infielders Troy Sudbrookand Charlie Scholvin and will look to use their experience to take a game back in front of thousands of fans at Fifth Third Field.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
TJ Takats (Bowling Green No. 10)
The junior picked up a hit and a run in last year’s Fifth Third Field game before getting injured.
He has taken huge strides to get back into his original form, such as his solo home run in the last game of the series against Western Michigan. He sits at fourth on the team in home runs with five, four coming in the last 30 days.
Luke Krouse (Bowling Green No. 27)
The left-handed senior pitcher has been the big game pitcher all season for the Falcons, getting starts against all three Big Ten schools the team faced; Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.
He has a 7.76 ERA on 31.1 innings pitched, while striking out 23. Krouse will most likely get the start against the Rockets, with the big game atmosphere being well known at Fifth Third Field.
The team leader in batting average at .377 has been a dominant force for the Rockets all season. Sudbrook is also the leader in nearly every single major hitting category, including every type of hit and RBI.
Sudbrook notched two hits and a double in each of the three games of the MAC series earlier this season against the Falcons.
Charlie Scholvin (Toledo No. 5)
Another central piece of the Rockets’ lineup is the junior infielder, who has turned the most double plays defensively. Scholvin is shortly behind Sudbrook in most statistical categories, outside of runs and walks, in which he leads the team.
Scholvin also has stolen the most bases for the Rockets at 22. The speedster is used at shortstop as a field general to help command the Toledo defense.
