No. 12 Toros Break Even on Day One of “Mountain Dew Classic”
CSUDH downs Sonoma State, 2-1, after error-filled 7-1 loss to San Francisco State in opener
April 22, 2005

Complete Box Scores
vs. SSU        vs. SFSU

Bakersfield, CA --- Senior Valerie Long (Stockton, CA/St. Mary’s HS) helped salvage No. 12-ranked CSUDH’s afternoon by tossing a 2-1 complete-game win over Sonoma State, one game after the Toros committed a season-high five errors against No. 20-ranked San Francisco State in falling 7-1. With the split, the Toros move to 38-8 on the season.

Long again was masterful in winning her 18th game of the season (18-3). The CCAA win leader won her fifth-consecutive contest, limiting the Seawolves to just four hits while fanning eight batters against no walks. The Stockton native retired the first nine Seawolves she faced, striking out four in the process.

After SSU would take a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning courtesy of a Samantha Joubert one-out homer, the Toros would knot the game in their 5th inning at-bat, using a Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) RBI single to plate Pebbel Prestwood (Hesperia, CA/Sultana HS/CS Stanislaus), who hammered a one-out double down the left field line. CSUDH would take the lead for good one inning later as pinch-hitter Kelli Rodriguez (Reseda, CA/Bishop Alemany HS) would walk with the bases loaded, scoring Jen Wilson (Orange, CA/Bellflower HS/CS Fullerton) who singled to lead off the frame.

Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.) paced the offense with two hits, while the defense committed three errors, two coming on dropped pop flies in foul territory.

The opener set the tone for the defensive lapse as the Toros committed four of their five errors in the first two innings, leading to six San Francisco State runs. Down 7-0 in the 4th, the Toros had a golden opportunity to get back into the game as a Wilson RBI single trimmed the SFSU lead to 7-1 and put runners on first and third. After a walk to Natalie Greco (Downey, CA/Warren HS) loaded the bases, however, Gator starter Sonja Garnett fanned Jennifer Funk (Long Beach, CA/St. Joseph HS/San Diego State) swinging to end the threat.

The Toros would get no closer, collecting only one hit the rest of way in dropping the 7-1 decision. CSUDH starter Tracy Barrientos (Bellflower, CA/Bellflower HS/LBCC) helped herself with two hits, but the Toro defense didn’t reciprocate, literally giving the Gators the win as Barrientos fell to 2-2 on the year.

The Toros continue the “Mountain Dew Classic” tomorrow, facing Western New Mexico in an 11 a.m. showdown, followed by a 3 p.m. match-up with the host ‘Runners.