Toros Rally to Defeat Azusa Pacific, 5-4, to Snap Losing Streak
CSUDH scores three runs in the seventh inning to fuel come from behind win
February 17, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--Cal State Dominguez Hills pushed across three runs in the seventh inning to come from behind and defeat Azusa Pacific University, 5-4, in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon at Toro Field. In the process, the Toros snapped a five-game losing streak heading into this weekend's series against Cal State L.A.

APU (8-2) jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on an RBI single off the bat of SS Robbie Lindsey in the first inning. The Cougars scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings after a sacrifice fly from RF Jeff Staniland and an RBI basehit from 2B Glenn Hedgpeth.

But the Toros chipped away at the lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on second and third, Cougar pitcher Buddy McNeill dropped the throw from 1B Billy Gwinn at the first base bag scoring C Frankie Valle (Whittier/Santa Fe HS).

Cal State Dominguez Hills scored another run in the sixth on an RBI single from 2B Pedro Montero (San Fernando/San Fernando HS) to trim the lead to 3-2.

CSUDH (4-8) took the lead for good in the seventh scoring three runs to forge a 5-3 lead. With runners on the corners, 1B Ian Corso (Thousand Oaks/CS Stanislaus) grounded into a double play to push across the first run of the inning. 3B Ruben Salazar (Lynwood/St. John Bosco HS) then reached on a walk and promptly stole second base. DH Jose Montes (Pacoima/San Fernando HS) then knocked him in with a single through the middle to make it 4-3. The Toros got its fifth run after RF Staniland dropped a fly ball down the right field line for a three-base error scoring Montes from first.

Azusa Pacific threatened in the eighth loading the bases with two outs. However, Toro pitcher Ryan Smith (Long Beach/Millikan HS) induced pinch-hitter Joe Morrison into an inning-ending fielder's choice.

The Cougars accounted for the final margin with a run in the top of the ninth on a run-scoring hit to left field by Lindsey. But that was all they would get snapping its five-game win streak.

James Dodson (1-0) recorded his first career win in relief for the Toros. Dodson pitched 1.2 scoreless innings allowing two hits. Smith earned the save pitching the final 1.1 innings allowing one run on two hits.

The Toros were led by LF Joey Caira (La Palma/Mt. SAC), Valle and Montes with two hits apiece.

For APU, Josh Grant suffered the loss going 1.0 innings giving up three runs, two earned, on two hits and a walk. The Cougars were led at the plate by Lindsey and Hedgpeth with three hits each.

Cal State Dominguez Hills will be back in California Collegiate Athletic Association action this week with a four-game series against cross-town rival Cal State L.A. beginning on Thursday at Toro Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.