Cal Poly Pomona Scores Two Late Runs to Take 4-2 Victory Over Toros in Game One of Four-Game Set
Chris Martinez leads the Toros with four hits in the loss
March 11, 2004

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills junior Chris Martinez (Torrance, CA/LA Harbor JC) went 4-for-4 as the Toros pounded 10 hits in the contest, but visiting Cal Poly Pomona scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to escape with a hard-fought 4-2 victory in the first game of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon on Toro Field.

CSUDH falls to 7-19, 3-14 CCAA,while CPP improves to 13-9-2, 10-6-1 CCAA.

The visiting Broncos struck first as they scored single runs in the top of the second and fourth innings, courtesy of a Matt Lopez RBI single and a bases-loaded double play off the bat of Greg Denning, to take an early 2-0 lead off Toro starter Ryan Owen (Riverside, CA/West Torrance HS).

The score would remain that way until the bottom of the fifth, when CSUDH was able to put its first run across the plate. After a David Leos (Los Angeles, CA/Venice HS) single began the fifth frame, an ensuing passed ball and sacrifice bunt moved Leos to third, where he scored on a Joey Caira (La Palma, CA/Kennedy HS) ground out to shortstop.

CSUDH would use that momentum to tie the score the next inning, as a Zac Cort (El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) leadoff single, a Jose Montes (Pacoima, CA/San Fernando HS) walk, a double steal and an ensuing Jason Flores (Whittier, CA/St. Paul HS) sacrifice fly drove home Cort, knotting the score at 2-2.

Cal Poly Pomona, however, would add single runs in its next two at-bats to regain the lead, ultimately taking the 4-2 decision. Starter Owen hurled 7.1 innings, allowing 11 hits and four earned runs to take the loss (2-4).

CPP starter Efren Lira threw 8.0 innings, scattering nine innings and allowing two runs to earn the win (2-2). Jeremy White retired the Toros in the ninth inning to pick up his second save of the year.

Leos contributed two hits for the Toros while CPP's Kenneth Galindo led the Broncos with three hits on the afternoon, followed by Lopez and Anthony Esquer, who each chipped in with two apiece.

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