Grand Canyon Takes First Game of Weekend Baseball Series Over Toros, 9-3
Cody Johns homers twice and knocks in five runs to lead Antelopes over CSUDH
April 16, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--3B Cody Johns homered twice and knocked in five runs to lead visiting Grand Canyon University over Cal State Dominguez Hills, 9-3, in the first game of a four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association series Friday afternoon at Toro Field.

Grand Canyon (19-25, 11-19 CCAA) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second on four hits including RBI singles off the bats of C Branden Ishikawa, 1B Matt Michael and LF Brad Western.

CSUDH (11-43, 5-28 CCAA) tied it in the bottom of the third with four hits and two GCU errors. After the first three Toro batters reached on singles, C Efren Esparza scored on a throwing error by Antelope catcher Branden Ishikawa. Two outs later, LF Jose Montes knocked in a run with an infield single and advanced to third base on a throwing error by Johns which also plated a run, tying the score at 3-3.

Johns atoned for his error in the fifth, when with two out and one on he launched his first home run of the game over the left field wall giving Grand Canyon a 5-3 lead.

GCU put up another run in the eighth on an RBI double by DH David Worrell making it 6-3. Johns then hit his second homer of the game and fifth of the year in the ninth, a three-run shot to center field, to account for the final margin of 9-3.

Antelope starter Jeff Swanson (5-7) was sharp tossing a complete-game. Swanson allowed three runs, two earned, on 11 hits while striking out five batters.

Offensively, Grand Canyon was led by Johns with five RBI. Ishikawa and RF Travis Kaats had three hits apiece.

For the Toros, starter Ryan Owen (3-8) took the loss going the first seven innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. Trevor Renck tossed the final two innings giving up four runs on six hits. SS Chris Martinez led the squad at the plate with three hits on the day.

The four-game series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at noon.