Lisa Grove Powers Toros to Softball Split Against Vanguard
Buena Park native scatters two hits and adds three hits in 8-0 win after Lions take 4-3 game one decision
March 19, 2004

Complete Box Scores
Game 1      Game 2

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills junior Lisa Grove (Buena Park, CA/Kennedy HS) threw a six-inning two-hitter and belted two doubles as the Toros took an 8-0 win in game two, salvaging a split after visiting Vanguard came from behind to take a 4-3 game one victory. By taking the nightcap,

CSUDH improves to 16-12-1 on the season while the Lions fall to 17-13.

Grove was the story of game two, scattering two hits in six innings of work. The 5' 10" junior kept the Lions off balance all game, retiring a string of 11-consecutive Lions at one point during the six-inning contest. Grove retired the side in order in three of the six frames, adding four strikeouts to her day's work in the circle. At the plate, she led the charge with a 3-for-3 performance, culminating with an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning to mercy the Lions by an 8-0 count.

Offensively, the Toros found their stroke early, scoring single runs in each of the first five frames before exploding with three in the sixth inning to put the contest away. Dani Proctor (La Crescenta, CA/La Crescenta HS) and Natalie Greco (Downey, CA/Warren HS) added two hits each to Grove's three, driving in two runs apiece. Natalie Sharp (Whittier, CA/California HS) added two RBI on one hit and a sacrifice fly, while speedster Cindy Perry (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) scored three runs and added four stolen bases to her season total.

Grove faced 23 Vanguard batters in picking up her sixth win of the year (6-3), while Vanguard starter Jenna Willis lasted only an 1.2 innings, giving up two runs and five walks to take the loss (2-6).

The opening game started well for the Toros as they took a 3-1 lead heading into the top of the fifth inning.

The Lions, however, had other ideas, tying the game on two hits and a hit batter, the big blow coming on a two-RBI double by Ashley Mauro.

CSUDH had a chance to counter Vanguard's momentum in the bottom of its frame as they advanced a runner to third base with two out, but Lion reliever Jennifer Olvera induced Perry to foul out to end the threat.

Vanguard would capitalize on its momentum in its final at-bat as it cashed in a one-out walk to Judy Bell on a costly Toro error. After advancing Bell to third base on a Catherine Buttrey single, an errant throw on a stolen base attempt allowed Bell to cross the plate with the eventual game-winning run, giving the lions a 4-3 victory.

Kim O'Hanian (Norwalk, CA/St. Paul HS) threw two innings in relief of CSUDH starter Valerie Long (Stockton, CA/St. Mary's HS) to take the loss (1-3), while Olvera tossed the final 3.2 innings to pick up the victory (5-2).

Proctor led the Toro offense with two hits and two RBI, while Perry set the tone for game two with the first of her five stolen bases on the afternoon.

The Toros return to CCAA action as they host San Francisco State on Friday, March 26, for a conference matchup. First pitch of game one of the twinbill is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.