Vanguard Scores Two Runs in Ninth to Beat Toros, 5-4
Scott Martin collects game-winning hit in ninth to complete Lion comeback
February 7, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--1B Scott Martin knocked in the game-winning run in the top of the ninth to give Vanguard University a come-from-behind 5-4 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills Saturday afternoon at Toro Field.

VU (2-2) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a two-out RBI single off the bat of CF Isaac Salazar. But the Toros answered back to tie the game in the fourth. After DH Jose Montes (Pacoima/San Fernando HS) led off the inning with a double to the left-center field gap, LF Joey Caira (La Palma/Mt. SAC) reached on a fielding error by Lion SS Mike Sparks allowing Montes to score making it 1-1.

Vanguard went up 3-1 in the fifth when Sparks atoned for his defensive miscue with a two-run homerun over the left-center field wall scoring Adam Yoder who reached earlier on a double.

CSUDH (2-3) trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth on a run-scoring groundout scoring RF Zac Cort (El Cerrito/El Cerrito HS) who led off the inning with a triple.

The Toros knotted the game in the sixth on a two-out RBI double by C Claudio Gutierrez (Sylmar/College of the Canyons). Cal State Dominguez Hills then took a 4-3 lead in the eighth thanks to an error by Vanguard third baseman Nikolaus Crouch. With a runner on second, Crouch booted a ground ball to his left allowing pinch runner Fred Medina (Santa Ana/Century HS) to score.

But the lead was short-lived as the Lions rallied in the top of the ninth. LHP Chris Abbott (Tujunga/Pasadena HS) came on in the ninth but was unable to hold the lead giving him his second blown save of the year. VU's David Hudgins reached on a bad hop single to second base to begin the inning. Yoder followed with a single to right to put runners on first and second with no outs. After RF Jason Searle struck out, Sparks singled off the glove of Toro 1B Ian Corso (Thousand Oaks/CS Stanislaus) to tie the game. Martin then knocked in the game-winner with a sharp single to left field for the 5-4 lead.

RHP Brent Erickson came on in the bottom of the ninth to record his first save of the year. RHP Michael Guernsey earned the win in relief tossing 2.0 hitless innings. Vanguard starter Marcus Harris went the first 6.0 innings allowing three runs, two earned, on ten hits while striking out four batters.

Abbott (1-1) took the loss for the Toros allowing two runs, both earned, on four hits in the ninth. Abbott, ironically, struck out the side in the ninth. Toro starter Ramon Mata (Long Beach/LB Jordan HS) went the first 4.2 innings allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out seven batters. RHP Trevor Renck (Anaheim/Savanna HS) was solid in relief throwing 2.1 hitless innings.

Martin led the 13-hit attack for the visitors going 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI. Sparks had two hits, including a homer, and knocked in three runs.

CSUDH was led offensively by four players with two hits apiece.

Cal State Dominguez Hills will host their alumni tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. The Toros will then be back in action on Tuesday taking on Concordia University (CA) at Toro Field beginning at 2:00 p.m.