Toros Take First Game of Series Over Cal State Stanislaus
CSUDH scores five times in eighth inning to break 9-9 deadlock
April 23, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.-Cal State Dominguez Hills scored five times in the bottom of the eighth inning, the big blow coming on a two-run double off the bat of 3B Fernando Hernandez, to break a 9-9 deadlock and go on for a 14-12 California Collegiate Athletic Association victory over Cal State Stanislaus Friday afternoon at Toro Field.

CSUDH (14-44, 8-29 CCAA) jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first three innings on a two-run double by LF Jose Montes, a 2-RBI single by DH Daniel Pilimai and an RBI double from CF Jason Flores.

CS Stanislaus (16-31-1, 7-30 CCAA) trimmed the deficit to 5-4 with three runs in the fourth on an error and RBI singles from 3B Jeff Crabtree and C Mike Amezcua.

The Toros answered back with four runs in the sixth sending nine batters to the plate. This time it was 1B Joey Caira providing the big blow with a 2-run single followed by run-scoring singles from Ian Corso and 2B Pedro Montero giving Cal State Dominguez Hills a 9-4 lead.

But the cushion was not big enough as Toro starter Ryan Owen spotted the Warriors five runs in the seventh on four hits to knot the game at 9-9. In the inning, CSUS got two runs on groundout RBI's a run-scoring double from Tucker Vasquez and RBI singles by Amezcua and LF Hector Alaniz.

However, CSUDH took the lead for good with five runs in the eight and held on for the win, despite giving up three runs in the ninth inning to account for the 14-12 final.

Flores led all Toro hitters finishing 4-for-5 on the day with two RBI. Caira finished with three hits and three runs. RF Zac Cort tied the CSUDH all-time single season hit record (83) going 1-for-3 today at the plate. His next basehit will break the record established last year by Ruben Salazar.

James Dodson (2-3) picked up the win in relief going the final two innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Owen went the first seven innings, allowing nine runs on 14 hits while striking out six.

For the Warriors, RF Chad Rolen, Alaniz and Vasquez all finished with three hits apiece. Reliever Ben Beznoska (1-2) suffered the loss tossing 1.1 innings, giving up five runs on five hits. Chris Burke went the first six innings allowing nine runs on 13 hits.

In total, the Warriors and Toros combined for 37 hits on the day.

These same two teams will continue this four-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon.