February 7, 2006

Box Score

Carson, CA - Biola's four-run 5th inning proved too much for the Toros to overcome as CSUDH's late charge came up short in a 6-3 non-conference baseball loss at Toro Field. With the loss CSUDH falls to 0-3, while Biola remains undefeated at 4-0.

Toro starter Gus Hernandez (Lynwood, CA/Lynwood HS) and Eagle starter Jimmy Johnson would be entrenched in a pitchers' duel early on, with each pitcher only allowing one runner to reach base over the first three innings.

Biola would strike first in the top of the 4th after a leadoff double down the left field line by Chris Weems, as a double to right field by Chris Willard drove home Weems with the game's first run.

Biola would keep the pressure on in the 5th, with a leadoff double and ensuing single to put runners on first and third. The Toros would go to their bullpen, and bring in lefty Sean Sivers (San Diego, CA/San Diego CC). However, the lefty would get off to a rocky start, being called for a balk to allow the runner from third to walk in, and moving the runner from first to second. The Eagles would add three hits, and drive in three more runs in the frame.

CSUDH would show some life in the bottom of the 7th with a leadoff walk by Isidro Perez (South Gate, CA/LA Harbor College), who then proceeded to take second and third base on a very wild pitch. Jason Klug (Moreno Valley, CA/San Bernardino Valley College) would get the Toros on the scoreboard with a ground out to the shortstop, driving in Perez to make the game 5-1 in favor of Biola.

The Eagles would respond in their half of the 9th, using back-to-back doubles by David Marabal and Weems to add another run.

The Toros would not go down quietly in bottom of the 9th as Cody Puckett (Apple Valley, CA/Hesperia HS) would lead off the inning with a double to center field and then advance to third on a wild pitch. Houston Hernandez (La Miranda, CA/St. Paul HS) would follow with a walk and advance to second on a pass ball, which scored Puckett. H. Hernandez would then be moved to third on a ground out and would walk home after a balk by Biola. The Toros would then use a single by Klug, followed by Mateo Marquez (Biggs, CA/Cal State L.A.) reaching on a error and a walk to Matt Hopps (Torrance, CA/South HS) to load the bases, bringing up the potential winning run in Kyle Stanley (Buena Park, CA/Hawaii Pacific). However, Eagle pitcher Mike Casserly would induce a game ending 6-4-3 double play.

Biola was led by Weems and Hawkins Gebbers with three hits apiece while starter Johnson would throw 7.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits, while striking out seven in the win.

For the Toros, starter G. Hernandez would toss four innings, giving up three runs on five hits, while striking out two.

The Toros will next be in action as they travel to San Bernardino to play Cal Poly Pomona in a non-conference contest, with first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.