Toros Run Softball Win Streak to 10 as CSUDH Sweeps GCU, 7-2 & 2-1
Miller & Minter prove tough in the circle, while Perry-Brown and Martinez fuel offense in wins
March 17, 2006

Complete Box Scores
Game 1          Game 2

Carson, CA -- Not seeing action in 16 days, Cal State Dominguez Hills showed no ill effects from its two-week layoff in taking a pair of games from visiting Grand Canyon University, 7-2 & 2-1, even allowing “Mother Nature” a front row seat on a wet Friday afternoon on Toro Diamond. With the wins, the 2nd-ranked Toros improve to 19-1 while the Antelopes fall to 15-19.

Cindy Perry-Brown had three hits on the afternoon and supplied 2 RBIs in the sweep of Grand Canyon. She got the Toros started in the first inning with a single, stolen base (pictured here) and later scored. Photo by Michael Foo

Cindy Perry-Brown (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) got the Toros started early in game one, scoring the afternoon’s first run in the bottom of the 1st on a leadoff single, stolen base and Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/Central Kitsap HS/CS Stanislaus) ground out for a quick 1-0 lead. CSUDH would tack on two more in the 3rd as a Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.) double would plate Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS), and a GCU error would bring home Groden for a 3-run cushion. The Toros would break the game open in the 5th inning using four hits in the frame, the big blow coming on an Araceli Martinez (Downey, CA/Warren HS) 2-RBI base hit, scoring Pebbel Prestwood (Hesperia, CA/Sultana HS/CS Stanislaus) and Natalie Greco (Downey, CA/Warren HS), who reached base before her.

That would be more than enough for starter Miller, who took a perfect game into the 4th inning, only to have Erica Ritter spoil perfection with a swinging bunt single. The senior from Washington still had her shutout intact with two out in the 6th inning until a two-out single and booming triple by Ritter gave GCU its first run of the game.

Antelope catcher Nicole Seymour would add another run for GCU in the 7th inning with a leadoff home run to left center, but Miller would settle down and induce Julie Watt to pop up to Perry-Brown to end the game. Miller (7-1) scattered five hits in the win, while GCU starter Megan Niver (7-5) allowed four earned runs in the loss.

In the damp nightcap, a Jen Wilson (Orange, CA/Bellflower HS/CS Fullerton) home run gave CSUDH a 1-0 lead in the 2nd, where the score remained until the top of the 5th when GCU would start a rally with consecutive bunt singles to begin the frame. After a sacrifice moved both runners over, Ritter again came through with the big blow, stinging a single up the middle to tie the game at 1-1. GCU’s rally would be short-lived, however, as the Toros would answer two innings later.

After Wilson was issued a one-out walk by GCU starter Malia Simmons, pinch-hitter Miller stroked a single down the left field line to move Wilson to second base. One batter later, Elicia Velazquez (San Diego, CA/Mt. Carmel HS/Palomar JC) would beat out a squib to the pitcher, loading the bases and setting the stage for Perry-Brown, who lined a shot off the Simmons’ leg to bring home Wilson with the game-winner.

CSUDH starter Kristine Minter (Chula Vista, CA/Hampton University) picked up her 6th win of the year (6-0), scattering seven hits with four strikeouts. Simmons matched Minter pitch-for-pitch in the loss (5-8), allowing five hits and two earned runs as the Toros swept the four-game regular season series from the ‘Lopes.

Perry-Brown, Groden and Martinez each enjoyed three hits on the afternoon, while Perry-Brown and Martinez supplied 2RBI apiece in the sweep. GCU’s Ritter also tallied three hits and 2 RBIs on the afternoon.

The Toros resume CCAA action with consecutive road games at 2005 NCAA Far West Region Champion San Francisco State on Sunday, March 19, followed by a showdown against Sonoma State on Monday, March 20. CSUDH returns home on Sunday, March 26, for a showdown against upstart Cal State San Bernardino, with first pitch of game one’s doubleheader scheduled for 12 noon.