Toros, 'Runners Split End of Season Softball Series
Toros end season with doubleheader split
May 4, 2002

Game 1 Box Score          Game 2 Box Score

CARSON, Calif.- It was the last game of the regular season. It was the last day of six careers of Toros softball players. CS Dominguez Hills hosted CS Bakersfield in a CCAA doubleheader today at Dolphin Park. The Toros had nothing to lose; the Roadrunners were looking towards postseason play.

The first game of the doubleheader was a battle of the defenses. The 'Runners started things off things with a hit by Jenny Rios, but the Toros "D" stayed behind their senior hurler Lisa Monreal, as the Toros got of the inning without any damage.

The CSUDH offense was lit when senior Dani Stronks nailed a line drive to the shortstop. Stronks was one of the top Toros hitters on the squad, with two hits on the day. But as was the story all game, the defenses stayed strong. Both teams would threaten numerous times, but both pitchers threw solid innings and the defenses were steady to send game one into extra innings.

After regulation, the teams took turns trying to score that winning run. The 'Runners had a big inning in the top of the ninth, when they had two runs off three hits. Candace Pillado and Jenny Rios would score the CSUB runners.

With their hopes of the win dwindling, the Toros put together a strong inning. Lisa Monreal started things off with a liner to the right side. Courtney Woltz would follow with the days only double to the left side. After Jo Orozco, the pinch runner for Monreal, was thrown out at third, Sasha Shell got her second hit of the day, putting the tying run on second. Dani Proctor would bring Woltz home but an out would end the Toros chances and the game with a score of 2-1.

CSUB hurler Erin Kelly moved to 23-10, while Lisa Monreal fell to 4-7.

Game two opened with a bang, for the 'Runners. CSUB had a three-run inning, started off by two well-placed bunts. The first three 'Runners would score, one off of a Toros error.

The Toros were not able to put up a fight until the bottom of the third, when the Toros led off with two back to back singles up the center. Sasha Shell was walked leaving the bases loaded with Dani Proctor up. Proctor got another hit. After that, CSUDH could not be stopped. They put up a six hit inning, scoring seven runs.

The 'Runners seemed unable to make a run in the next couple of innings. They added one to the board in the top of the fifth, but Tracy Barrientos, who replaced Patrina Smith was able to stay strong, and end the 'Runner chances.

After that both teams would get scattered hits, but no team was really able to rally for more runs. The 'Runners made a desperation rally in the top of the seventh with four hits to score two runs. CSUB led a consistent attack with singles, driving runs home and keeping the bases loaded. But a tenacious Toros defense would end the inning and the game, with CSUDH posting a 7-5 win in the season finale.

Patrina Smith earned the win in the final game of her career. She finished out the season and 15-10.

The Toros finished the season, 32-22 overall and 20-12 in the CCAA.