Toros Give Up Seven Runs in Seventh Inning to Drop 7-6 Game to Cal State L.A.
Ruben Salazar leads the Toros with three hits in loss
February 19, 2004

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills senior Ruben Salazar (Lynwood, CA/St. John Bosco HS) led the Toros with a 3-for-5 effort, but visiting Cal State L.A. erupted with seven runs in the seventh inning to erase a five-run deficit and take a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over CSUDH on Thursday afternoon on Toro Field.

The Toros fall to 4-9, 0-5 CCAA, while the Golden Eagles improve to 7-3, 3-2 CCAA.

Toro starter Ryan Owen (Riverside, CA/West Torrance HS) kept the Golden Eagle hitters off balance from the game's outset as he allowed only two hits over the first six innings, retiring the first 9-of-11 batters he faced. CSUDH's offense gave Owen an early lead, putting up five runs in the first four innings off CSULA starter Philip Springman.

After Jose Montes (Pacoima, CA/San Fernando HS) scored the game's first run in the top of the second, the Toros strung together four hits in the third inning, plating three runs in the frame. A Joey Caira (La Palma, CA/Kennedy HS) RBI single brought home Zac Cort (El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) to start the outburst, and RBI singles each by Daniel Pilimai (Sacramento, CA/Rockland HS) and Fernando Hernandez (South Gate, CA/South Gate HS) would close the scoring, giving the Toros a comfortable 4-0 cushion.

Cort would add to the lead in the next frame, blasting his first home run of the season over the left field fence to give the Toros a five-run advantage.

Cal State L.A., however, would respond in its top of the seventh inning. A Matt Beard pinch hit single started a string of four-consecutive Golden Eagles who would reach base. A hit batter with the bases loaded would bring home CSULA's first run, and after a Mike Miller groundout, a Kyle Williams single and Rafael Arroyo double each would plate one. Golden Eagle, designated hitter Tim Wilkerson provided the big blow, launching an opposite field home run to account for CSULA's final three runs.

The Toros would mount a comeback in their half of the seventh, loading the bases with none out. CSULA reliever Eric Biddlecome, however, would induce Houston Hernandez (La Mirada, CA/St. Paul HS) to ground into a 6-4-3 double play and F. Hernandez to fly out, escaping the situation allowing only one run.

Cort and Caira added two hits each on the afternoon, while CSULA's Rafael Arroyo and Matt Beard led Cal State L.A. with two hits apiece.

Owen hurled 6.1 innings, allowing seven earned runs in taking the loss (1-3), while CSULA's Chris Johnson threw two innings to pick up his first victory of the season (1-1). Golden Eagle closer Derrick Loop recorded the final three outs to pick up his third save of the year.

Cal State Dominguez Hills hosts the Golden Eagles tomorrow afternoon in the second game of the four-game series. First pitch on Toro Field is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.