February 25, 2006

Box Score

Game 1    Game 2

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills senior Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.) provided the muscle by way of two home runs while pitchers Kristine Minter (Chula Vista, CA/Hampton University) and Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/Central Kitsap HS/CS Stanislaus) provided the arms as the Toros blanked Cal State Stanislaus on Saturday afternoon on Toro Diamond, taking 4-0 & 2-0 decisions. With the sweep, the reigning CCAA champions improve to 15-1, 4-0 CCAA while the Warriors fall to 12-8, 1-3 CCAA.

The Toros spotted game one starter Minter all the runs she would need in their 1st-inning at-bat as Cindy Perry-Brown (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) and Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) led off the game with consecutive walks, and came home on a Groden bomb over the left field fence for an early 3-0 lead. The Toros would add an insurance run four innings later as Miller doubled home Groden, who walked to begin the frame, for the fourth and final run of the contest.

That would be more than enough for Minter, who cruised to her fourth win of the season (4-0). The Chula Vista native was dominant, at one point facing the minimum required 15 batters in 5.0 innings of work. Minter allowed just two hits on the afternoon, fanning six against no walks in the complete-game win while CSUC starter Omaira Estremera tossed 4.0 innings and gave up four runs in the loss (2-2).

In the nightcap, the Toros used a small ball approach to cash in their first run, as three singles and a hit batter would equal a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning, courtesy of an Elicia Velazquez (San Diego, CA/Mt. Carmel HS/Palomar JC) baseknock. CSUDH had a chance to increase its lead on a two-out bases-loaded rope down the right field line by Moreno, but CSUS' Rita Argott would gun down the speedy Moreno at first base, keeping the rally in check.

One inning later, however, no Warrior fielder would be able to snag Groden's fly as the senior shortstop hammered her second home run of the game, this one a towering shot over the center field fence.

That was plenty for CSUDH's Miller, who one-upped her teammate by allowing just one hit in the 2-0 win (6-1). The Bremerton native, who was facing her former team for the first time this season, did not allow a single batter to reach 3rd base in the complete-game win. Miller fanned five batters against just one walk, and retired the final seven Warrior batters in order, while the Toro offense collected 10 hits in giving Warrior starter Amanda Cantu the loss (6-2).

Weather permitting, the Toros host University of Mary (N.D.) on Tuesday, February 28, with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for a 12 noon start on Toro Diamond