Grand Canyon Powers Past CSUDH, 21-15
Joey Caira blasts two home runs in loss
April 18, 2004

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills junior Joey Caira (La Palma, CA/Kennedy HS) belted two of the Toros' three home runs on the day, but visiting GCU boasted four players who hit the long ball as they took a 21-15 slugfest over CSUDH on the final game of the four-game series, splitting the series at two games apiece.

With the loss, the Toros drop to 13-44, 7-29 CCAA, while the Antelopes improve to 20-27, 12-21 CCAA.

After the visitors took an 11-3 lead after their fourth inning at-bats, courtesy of a Branden Ishikawa three-run home run in the second, a Travis Kaats two-run home run in the third and Cody Johns' two-run home run in the fourth, the Toros would answer with four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, as Chris Martinez (Torrance, CA/South HS), Zac Cort (El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) and Jose Montes (Pacoima, CA/San Fernando HS) each tallied an RBI single, followed by a Fernando Hernandez (South Gate, CA/South Gate HS) bases-loaded walk to cut the GCU lead to 11-7.

The Antelopes would answer in their next at-bats, putting up six runs on five hits to again regain control of the contest, courtesy of a Brad Western two-run home run, a Johns 2RBI double and an Ishikawa 2RBI single to center field to give GCU a 17-7 advantage.

Caira's first home run of the day in the Toros' next at-bat, followed by a Montes blast to dead center, would bring CSUDH back to within 10 runs, but the 'Lopes would not relent, scoring two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings to all but put the game away.

The Toros wold rally with two runs in the eighth, courtesy of a Daniel Pilimai (Sacramento, CA/Rockland HS) 2RBI pinch-hit double, and a three-spot in the ninth, a rally started by Caira's second long ball of the game to center field, but Matt Michael, the Antelopes' fourth pitcher of the game, would secure the final three outs for GCU, earning a season-series split with its 21-15 victory.

CSUDH starter Raul Claros (Hawthorne, CA/Los Angeles HS) threw just 3.1 innings to take the loss (0-6), allowing eight runs on eight hits.

GCU's Kyle Holtorf relieved starter Josiah Zeigler, throwing 3.0 innings and allowing three runs to pick up the win (5-0).

Offensively, Montes and Jason Flores (Whittier, CA/St. Paul HS) led the Toros with four hits apiece, while Caira tallied a team-high four RBI, going 3-for-6 on the day.

For the Antelopes, Johns and Kaats picked up four hits each, while Johns and Ishikawa each knocked in five RBI, leading the GCU offense. Defensively, Flores made two spectacular diving catches in center field, putting away all four chances in the outfield.

The Toros host CCAA-foe Cal State Stanislaus next weekend in the final conference matchup of the season. Game one is scheduled for Friday, April 23, with first pitched set for 2:30 p.m.