Strong Pitching, Timely Hitting Lead Toros to Win Over Hawaii Pacific
CSUDH starter Hernandez goes 6-2/3 strong innings in non-conference win over Sea Warriors, 5-4
April 1, 2005

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--(April 3, 2005)--Cal State Dominguez Hills used a strong start from Gus Hernandez (Lynwood/Lynwood HS) and a 3-run home run by senior OF Ricky Eda (Palos Verdes/Peninsula HS) to propel the Toros to a 5-4 non-conference win over Hawaii Pacific University Sunday afternoon at Toro Field.

Sophomore pitcher Gus Hernandez went 6-2/3 strong innings to earn his second win of the year and lead the Toros to a 5-4 win over Hawaii Pacific. Photo by Kirby Lee

Hernandez (2-0) was not overpowering, but was extremely effective in his fifth start of the season. The sophomore RHP went the first 6-2/3 allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk.

Down 1-0 going into the bottom of the second inning, Cal State Dominguez Hills scored four times to take the lead for good. Eda highlighted that inning with his 10th home run of the season, a long blast to centerfield for a 4-1 lead. HPU (20-12) put up single runs in the third and fourth on a Bryan Daguio RBI single and a run-scoring groundout by Michael Kealoha. However, CSUDH (16-18) plated an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI single to right field, scoring DH Matt Hopps (Torrance/So. Torrance HS) from second base who reached earlier on a walk and stole second making it 5-3.

The Sea Warriors came back with a run in the seventh to trim the deficit to 5-4 after a Grandon Costa two-out solo home run to left field. But junior lefty Ryan Owen (Riverside/W. Torrance HS) came out of the pen to notch his third save tossing the final 2-1/3 innings to preserve the win, the fourth in this five-game weekend series.

Eda finished the day 2 for 4 with three RBI. Senior 3B Chris Martinez (Torrance/So. Torrance HS) drove in two runs going 1 for 3 at the plate.

For Hawaii Pacific, Costa finished 3 for 5 with an RBI on his home run. Daguio and Chase Nakamura checked in with two hits apiece.

HPU starter Spencer Omalza (2-2) took the loss pitching 5-2/3 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits while striking out five. Josh Guerra was sharp in relief tossing 2-1/3 hitless innings.

Cal State Dominguez Hills is back in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action this week traveling to UC San Diego on Wednesday for a make up game. First pitch is slated for 2 PM.