Toros Salvage Split in CCAA Baseball Twinbill Against No. 14 Chico State
Salazar sets new single season hit record in nightcap as Toros win 3-2, Robles tough-luck loser in game one, 2-1
May 2, 2003

Complete Box Scores
Game 1       Game 2

Third baseman Ruben Salazar set the single-season hit record with two hits in the Toros 3-2 win in the second game of Friday's twin bill against Chico State. (File photo)

CARSON, Calif.--Chico State stole a 2-1 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills (28-25, 16-21 CCAA) in the first game of a CCAA baseball twin bill Friday at Toro Field, but the Toros salvaged a split with a 3-2 win in the nightcap.

With the split, Cal State Dominguez Hills is now 28-25 and 16-21 in CCAA play. Chico State, who is ranked No. 14 in this week's NCAA II Collegiate Baseball rankings, is now 33-15 and 23-13 in league action.

CSUDH starter Larry Robles had a two-hit shutout going into the ninth in the early game, but hurt his cause by hitting the first two batters he faced in the final inning. One out later Steve Newson's hit through the left side loaded the bases and John Moylan's blooper down the right field line tied the game, 1-1. Then with two outs, and the bases still loaded, catcher Efren Esparza allowed a passed ball for the game winning run.

Robles (6-3) was the tough-luck loser pitching a complete game four-hitter. The junior right-hander was dominant early retiring the first 14-of-15 batters he faced, six of them by strikeout. Robles was brilliant allowing only one earned run while striking out 11 batters and walking none only to earn the loss. It marked the second time this year Robles struck out 11 in a game and the second game in a row he registered 10 or more strikeouts.

Ivan Hernandez (7-2) was also impressive tossing a complete game to earn the win. In nine innings, Hernandez struck out eight batters while giving up only one run on seven hits.

In the nightcap, Chico State jumped out to an early lead, 2-0, in the second on run-scoring singles from Brett Polan and Scott Thomson.

But CSUDH answered back with two runs of their own in the fourth on a bases loaded two-out single to left field from David Keesee. The next batter, Eric Pringle, drew a walk to load the bases again, but pinch hitter Don Bracken struck out swinging on a full count to end the Toro threat.

The Toros took the lead in the sixth cashing in on a leadoff double by Keesee. After he advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Pringle, Esparza knocked in the go-ahead run on a line drive to left field making it 3-2. Earlier in the inning, third baseman Ruben Salazar (St. John Bosco HS) broke the record for hits in a season with a single through the right side on a hit-and-run play. It was the 81st hit of the year for the sophomore sensation.

Toro starter Brian Cortes (6-3) set down the Wildcats in order in the seventh to earn his sixth win of the year. Cortes went the distance allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four batters. At one time, Cortes retired eight-straight batters before allowing a leadoff walk in the sixth inning.

Salazar, Keesee, Mike Milstead and Ricky Eda led the Toro bats with two hits each.

For Chico State, Nic Amanno suffered the loss in relief of starter Mike Nunes. Amanno (7-2) gave up one run on five hits through two innings. Nunes went the first four innings allowing two runs on five hits. At the plate, no Chico player had more than one hit in the game.

The Toros and Wildcats will continue this four-game series with a single game tomorrow, weather permitting, beginning at 1 PM.