February 11, 2006

Box Score

vs. Montana State Billings    vs. Hawaii Hilo

Phoenix, AZ -- Sophomore Amy Thomas (Barstow, CA/Barstow HS) and senior Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/CS Stanislaus) threw a pair of 2-0 shutouts at two teams that qualified for the NCAA postseason last year, taking identical 2-0 decisions over Montana State Billings and Hawaii-Hilo on day two of the Grand Canyon Showcase Tournament. With the wins, the Toros remain perfect in 2006 at 4-0, while MSUB, the squad that knocked CSUDH from the playoffs last season, falls to 0-2 and UHH, the squad CSUDH knocked from the same playoffs, falls to 0-1.

In the opener against the Yellowjackets, Thomas continued where she left off from yesterday's 4.0 innings pitched in relief, allowing just two hits while fanning two against no walks in the complete-game win (2-0). The sophomore dominated as she retired the first eight batters in order before allowing MSUB's first hit in the 3rd inning. Unfazed, Thomas again would retire eight-consecutive batters before the final Yellowjacket would reach base, also on a single with one out three innings later.

Senior Jen Wilson (Oange, CA/CS Fullerton) provided all the runs Thomas would need in the contest, leading off the 5th inning with a blast for her first home run of the year. Araceli Martinez (Downey, CA/Warren HS) and Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) would combine for an insurance run two outs later as Moreno would stroke an opposite field double to left field, scoring Martinez, who reached base after being hit by a pitch.

Thomas faced 23 batters in the contest, just two over the minimum required for a 7-inning game.

In the nightcap against Hawaii-Hilo, Miller (2-0) nearly duplicated Thomas' effort, scattering just four hits in tossing her second complete game victory in as many days. The senior ace finished with six strikeouts, retiring the side in order three times, and facing just four batters in two other innings.

Offensively, the Toros struck for both runs in the 3rd inning after a two-out error by UHH's right fielder allowed Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/SE Missouri University) to reach, sending home Elicia Velaquez (San Diego, CA/Palomar JC) and Cindy Perry-Brown (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS), who both singled with one out in the frame.

The Toros conclude the third and final day of the Grand Canyon Showcase Tournament tomorrow morning against the same two teams, battling the University of Hawaii-Hilo at 8:00 a.m., followed by a match-up against Montana State Billings at 10:30 a.m

In the opener against the Yellowjackets, Thomas continued where she left off from yesterday's 4.0 innings pitched in relief, allowing just two hits while fanning two against no walks in the complete-game win (2-0). The sophomore dominated as she retired the first eight batters in order before allowing MSUB's first hit in the 3rd inning. Unfazed, Thomas again would retire eight-consecutive batters before the final Yellowjacket would reach base, also on a single with one out three innings later.

Senior Jen Wilson (Oange, CA/CS Fullerton) provided all the runs Thomas would need in the contest, leading off the 5th inning with a blast for her first home run of the year. Araceli Martinez (Downey, CA/Warren HS) and Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) would combine for an insurance run two outs later as Moreno would stroke an opposite field double to left field, scoring Martinez, who reached base after being hit by a pitch.

Thomas faced 23 batters in the contest, just two over the minimum required for a 7-inning game.

In the nightcap against Hawaii-Hilo, Miller (2-0) nearly duplicated Thomas' effort, scattering just four hits in tossing her second complete game victory in as many days. The senior ace finished with six strikeouts, retiring the side in order three times, and facing just four batters in two other innings.

Offensively, the Toros struck for both runs in the 3rd inning after a two-out error by UHH's right fielder allowed Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/SE Missouri University) to reach, sending home Elicia Velaquez (San Diego, CA/Palomar JC) and Cindy Perry-Brown (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS), who both singled with one out in the frame.

The Toros conclude the third and final day of the Grand Canyon Showcase Tournament tomorrow morning against the same two teams, battling the University of Hawaii-Hilo at 8:00 a.m., followed by a match-up against Montana State Billings at 10:30 a.m.