Toros Sweep San Bernardino in CCAA Baseball Doubleheader 5-2, 6-3
Edgar Esqueda blast 3-run homer in first game and Toros steal home twice in nightcap
March 9, 2002

Complete Box Score - Game 1

Complete Box Score - Game 1

CARSON, Calif.-Cal State Dominguez Hills used the power of C Edgar Esqueda, blasting a 3-run home run in the eighth inning of the first game, and the arm of starting RHP Don Bracken in the nightcap to sweep Cal State San Bernardino in a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader today in the Inland Valley.

In the early game, CSUSB took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning before CSUDH tied it in the seventh on a RBI single by 1B Tony Marquez with runners on first and second and two out. The Toros took the lead in the next inning scoring four runs on three hits. With the bases loaded and no outs, DH Frank Perez hit a sacrifice fly giving the Toros a 2-1 lead. An out later, Esqueda went up to the plate and smashed his second home run of the season well over the left center field wall for a 5-1 lead.

The Coyotes would score a run in the bottom of the inning on a leadoff double by C Brian Schweiger followed by an error and a run-scoring groundout to account for all the scoring in the game.

Esqueda finished the game going 3-3 at the plate with 3 RBI's. Starting RHP Aldo Silva (4-3) went 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 8 hits while striking out 6 to earn the win. LHP Steve Ressa got the hold, pitching a 1-2-3 eighth before RHP Brian Cortes came on in the ninth to notch his third save of the year.

In the nightcap, Cal State Dominguez Hills took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on their first steal of home in the game. With runners on the corners, 2B Nate Hadaway got caught in a run-down between first and second. Marquez then stole home and touched the plate before Hadaway was tagged out for the third out of the inning.

The Toros tacked on three more runs in the third on two leadoff walks followed by a sacrifice bunt by CF Jason Pruitt placing runners at second and third. Frank Perez then hit a RBI single to left field giving CSUDH a 2-0 lead. LF Mike Roux then made it 3-0 on a single to right field. Later in the inning and with Perez on third base, the Toros stole home again when Roux got caught in a run-down at first base making it 4-0.

San Bernardino plated a lone run in the fourth on a RBI single by LF Marcus Wyatt. But CSUDH scored two important insurance runs in the seventh inning giving them a 6-1 cushion. In that inning with the bases loaded and one out, Perez hit an RBI single to center field for the first run. Roux then hit a run-scoring groundout to make it 6-1.

The Coyotes (11-13, 6-9 CCAA) scored twice in the bottom of the inning to make it interesting, but Brian Cortes was able to hold on for the save and the 6-3 CSUDH victory. Perez led the squad at the plate going 3-4 with 2 RBI. Roux also had 2 RBI and 2 hits. RHP Don Bracken (2-2) was strong going the first 6 innings allowing 1 run and 5 hits while striking out 5 batters. Cortes earned his second save on the day pitching the seventh inning allowing 2 runs on 3 hits.

CSUDH (12-10-1, 7-7 CCAA) now heads to the beautiful island of Hawaii for a 5-game series at Hawaii-Pacific University beginning on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM.