No. 20-Ranked Toros Get Back on Track, Win Two Key In-Region Softball Contests on Day Two of Easton Tournament of Champions
Long slams Central Washington 9-1 in opener; Miller pitches past Hawaii Hilo in 4-1 game two win
April 2, 2005

Complete Box Scores
Game 1          Game 2

Modesto, CA --- Cal State Dominguez Hills senior Valerie Long (Stockton, CA/St. Mary’s HS) showed her value to the Toros extends far beyond the pitching circle. The Stockton native hit a first-inning grand slam while scattering four hits in CSUDH’s 9-1 win over Central Washington in the Toros’ first game of the day, while Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/Central Kitsap HS/CS Stanislaus) scattered six hits and allowed one run as the Toros bested Hawaii Hilo, 4-1. With the two wins, CSUDH improves to 27-6 on the season.

Long literally slammed the door on the Wildcats in game one, limiting CWU to four hits to pick up her 12th victory on the year (12-2). While the Toro offense has provided Long ample run support during her senior season, Long gave her offense a break this morning, giving herself all the runs she would need with one swing of the bat. With two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 1st inning, Long turned and lifted the ball well over the left field fence, giving the Toros a 4-0 cushion.

That was all Long would need as the four-year senior took care of business in the circle, fanning eight batters without a walk in the business-like performance. Long retired the side in order in three innings, and struck out at least one batter in five of the six innings.

After the Wildcats would scrape a run across in the 4th inning, CSUDH would put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 6th, scoring five runs to mercy CWU. In that frame, three-consecutive hits to begin the inning, two wild pitches, a bases loaded walk and a final RBI single by Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) would provide the difference as the Toros took the inning-shortened game, 9-1.

Seven different Toros tallied one hit each, with Long’s blow accounting for the only multiple-RBI player on the day.

Against Hawaii Hilo, Crystal Dingman (Sunland, CA/Verdugo HS/College of the Canyons) staked Miller to a quick 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, stealing second after being hit by a pitch, advancing to third on a wild pitch, and scoring on a passed ball.

The score would remain 1-0 until the 5th when a hit batsmen and UHH error led to three more runs, the big blow coming on a Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.) 2RBI single. That would be more than enough for Miller, who cruised through the first five frames, scattering three hits. In the 6th, a Toro dropped fly set the table for UHH, who would use an ensuing double and sacrifice fly to plate their only run of the game.

Miller would toss a complete game in picking up her 10th win of the season (10-3). She fanned six batters against only three walks, and retired six-consecutive batters at one point.

Cindy Perry (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS), Groden and Pebbel Prestwood (Hesperia, CA/Sultana HS/CS Stanislaus) led the Toro charge with two hits apiece, while Groden’s 2RBI day paced the CSUDH run production.

CSUDH continues the Easton Tournament of Champions tomorrow as they await their opponent, which will be based on tonight’s remaining pool play games.