Toros Drop Series Opener to UC San Diego, 8-7
Tritons rally with five-run sixth inning and hang on for CCAA win
March 13, 2003

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--UC San Diego rallied for five runs in the sixth inning to come from behind and hang on to capture the series opener, 8-7, against Cal State Dominguez Hills in California Collegiate Athletic Association baseball action Thursday at Toro Field.

UC San Diego improves to 14-11 and 11-6 in CCAA play, while the Toros drop to 12-11 and 8-9 in league action.

Down 5-2 heading into the sixth inning, UCSD pushed across five runs on two hits and two Toro errors to take a 7-5 lead. After a run-scoring fielders choice and a sacrifice fly off the bat Damian Fante made it 5-4, LF John Bologna hit an RBI double to left field with a man on to tie the game.

In the next at-bat, the Tritons took the lead for good, 6-5, when CF Matt Smith singled off the glove of CSUDH first baseman Tony Marquez scoring Bologna from second. After Smith advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, 3B Matt Merrifield his a sacrifice fly to give UC San Diego a 7-5 lead.

UCSD added a run in the top of the eight on an RBI single from Smith to take an 8-5 advantage.

The Toros answered with two runs in the bottom of the eighth on three hits. Andrew Rodriguez (South Hills HS) led off the inning with a pinch-hit single and scored one out later on 2B David Keesee's (Saugus, CA) run-scoring double down the left field line. CF Mike Milstead (Murrieta, CA) then singled home Keesee with a single through the left side scoring Milstead but that would be as close as the Toros would get, dropping the game, 8-7.

The Toros jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles from Milstead and C Efren Esparza (Dominguez HS).

The Toros took a four-run advantage, 5-1, with three runs in the fourth on three hits and a Triton error. With the bases loaded an nobody out, Esparza reached on a run-scoring fielders choice. On that play, UCSD second baseman Nigel Miller couldn't handle the relay from shortstop, allowing the runners on second and third to score. Two outs later, RF Jason Flores (St. Paul HS) singled up the middle scoring Esparza from second for a 5-1 cushion.

UCSD starter Jose Navarro (2-4) earned the win pitching the first five innings allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits. Byron Grubman faced the final batter in the bottom of the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Senior RHP Chris Ingstad (2-4) suffered the loss in relief of starter Larry Robles (Mary Star HS). Ingstad lasted only two-thirds of an inning allowing three runs on two hits. LHP Troy Doram (Redondo Union HS) and RHP Don Bracken (Park City, UT) combined for the final 3.1 innings allowing only one run.

The Tritons were led at the plate by Smith who finished 3-for-4 with a run and three RBI. Bologna also finished with two hits and two runs.

Milstead led the 12-hit Toro attack in the losing cause with a perfect 4-for-4 effort at the plate with two RBI. Flores, Keesee and Ruben Salazar (St. John Bosco) added two hits apiece.

The four-game series will resume at Toro Field tomorrow with a single game beginning at 2:30 p.m.