Toros Sweep UC San Diego in CCAA Softball, 10-2 and 12-1
Long gets win, homer in first game; Rodriguez has monster game in nightcap
April 8, 2005

Courtesy UC San Diego Sports Information Office

Complete Box Scores
Game 1          Game 2

LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 19th-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team swept both games of its Friday doubleheader with host UC San Diego at the Triton Softball Field on the UCSD campus, winning 10-2 and 12-1. With the losses UC San Diego falls to 14-16 overall and 8-9 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play while the Toros improved to 29-7 overall and 14-4 in league action.

CSUDH took an early 1-0 lead after the first inning of game one but UCSD rallied for two runs of its own in the bottom of that inning as Desiree Franciscus connected on a two-run home run, her second of the season.

The Toros answered right back with one run in the second and two more in the third to take a 4-2 lead. CSUDH increased that lead to 5-1 in the fifth and then put away the game with five more runs over the final two frames for the 10-2 victory.

Cindy Perry went 4-for-5 with two runs scored from the leadoff spot in the order. Natalie Greco and Jenny Funk each had two hits and two RBI while Kate Groden and Jackie Miller each added a hit and two RBI as well.

Valerie Long tossed the complete game two-hitter for the Toros, striking out eight while walking only one. She also connected on her second home run of the season in the contest while improving to 13-2 as a pitcher.

Tina Rowe took the loss for the Tritons after allowing six runs on 10 hits in five plus innings of work. She falls to 7-7 on the season. Kelley Bryant allowed four runs on four hits in her 1 1/3 inning of relief while Nicole Fullerton struck out two of the three batters she faced.

Game two was also dominated by the Toros who scored two in the first, two in the second, one more in the fourth and a decisive seven runs in the top half of the fifth inning.

Right fielder Kelli Rodriguez had a monster game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and seven RBI, four of which came on her grand slam in the fifth inning. Groden and pitcher Jackie Miller each added three hits.

Miller picked up the complete game victory for CSUDH and improved to 11-3 on the season. She allowed only one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout in her five innings in the circle.

Franciscus and Breanne Cope accounted for the two UCSD hits in the nightcap. Cope's single in the fourth inning scored Brittni Carino who reached on a walk earlier in the frame.

Melissa Ward took the loss for UCSD and fell to 3-6 on the year. She allowed four runs on seven hits in her 1 2/3 innings of work. Fullerton allowed six runs, five of which were earned, on four hits in three innings of relief. Bryant threw the final 1/3 of an inning, allowing two runs on two hits, including the Rodriguez grand slam.

The Toros continue their road trip with a swing over to San Bernardino for a doubleheader with the Coyotes Saturday.