Balanced Toros Attack Proves Too Much in 9-6 and 12-0 Softball Wins Over Chico State
Seniors Wilson and Groden combine for 14 RBIs while sophomore Thomas tosses one-hit gem in nightcap
February 24, 2006

Complete Box Scores
Game 1         Game 2

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills seniors Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.) and Jen Wilson (Orange, CA/Bellflower HS/CS Fullerton) combined for 7 RBIs as the Toros won a slug fest in the early game, while sophomore Amy Thomas (Barstow, CA/Barstow HS) tossed a one-hit masterpiece in the nightcap as CSUDH began its CCAA Conference schedule in style with a 9-6 & 12-0 sweep of Chico State on Friday afternoon on Toro Diamond. With the two wins, the reigning CCAA champions improve to 13-1, 2-0 CCAA while the Wildcats fall to 3-5, 0-2 CCAA.

After spotting the Wildcats a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run blast from Jenny Chacon, the Toros answered in a big way in their 1st-inning at-bats, using two walks, a 2-run CSUC error and a 2-RBI single by Wilson to take a 4-2 lead. That cushion would hold until the 4th, when Groden rapped a 2-RBI double to push the lead to 6-2, scoring Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) and Elicia Velazquez (San Diego, CA/Mt. Carmel HS/Palomar JC), who reached base earlier in the inning.

After exchanging single runs in the next frame, the Toros scored two more in the 6th inning as Groden tagged a line drive over the left field fence for her second home run of the season, plating Moreno ahead of her.

Chico State responded with a 3-run bomb of its own in the top of the 7th by Chelsea Lundberg, but CSUDH starter Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/Central Kitsap HS/CS Stanislaus) would fan Chacon for the final out in the Toros 9-6 win, improving to 5-1 on the year.

Cala Risse would take the hard-luck loss (2-2), allowing four unearned runs in 1.1 innings of work.

In the nightcap, patience and pitching proved plentiful for CSUDH as the Toros took the 5-inning victory. Wildcat starter Kristin Paese (1-3) was a wild ‘Cat, walking nine batters in the first two innings as the Toros would take a 4-0 lead, the big blow coming on a Wilson 2-RBI double in the 1st inning.

After tacking on two more runs in the 3rd, courtesy of a Groden 2-RBI double, CSUDH put the game away in the 4th, scoring six times for the final 12-0 count. In the frame, Wilson again came through with a 2-RBI single, and was followed by RBI hits from Araceli Martinez (Downey, CA/Warren HS), Natalie Greco (Downey, CA/Warren HS) and Christine Bathauer (Torrance, CA/West HS), and an RBI groundout by Groden to cap the scoring.

That was more than enough for Toro starter Thomas, who allowed just one hit in picking up her 5th win on the season to improve to a perfect 5-0. Thomas fanned seven batters on the afternoon, including the first four Wildcats to begin the game, and faced just 18 batters in the win.

Wilson enjoyed a 4-for-6 effort with seven RBI on the day, while Groden went 3-for-8 on the afternoon, also bringing home seven runners in the sweep.

The Toros continue CCAA hosting duties with a doubleheader against Cal State Stanislaus tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch of game one scheduled for a 12 noon start.