April 2, 2006
Box Score
Carson, CA -- Riding momentum from yesterday's victories over Hawaii Pacific and Western Oregon, the No. 8-ranked Toros continued their winning ways in taking a 6-1 decision over Chaminade University as the Togo's Tournament of Champions came to a close this morning on Pedretti Field, improving to 27-4 on the year.
CSUDH pounded out 11 hits while Kristine Minter (Chula Vista, CA/Hampton University) continued her domination in the circle, picking up her 11th win in as many decisions.
Following a recent offensive pattern in which the Toros have gotten on the board early, CSUDH again scored in its 1st inning at-bat, using a Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) single, stolen base, a Silversword error and an RBI grounder by Elicia Velazquez (San Diego, CA/Mt. Carmel HS/Palomar JC) to take an early 1-0 lead.
After Chaminade tied the game in their 2nd inning at bat, CSUDH answered CU's answer with a five-run 4th inning, taking control of the game. In the frame, Jen Wilson (Orange, CA/Bellflower HS/CS Fullerton) followed a Linda Reyes (Garden Grove, CA/Pacifica HS/St. John's) double with a booming shot over the left field fence, giving the Toros a 3-1 lead. Velazquez notched the third of three-consecutive singles to bring home Araceli Martinez (Downey, CA/Warren HS) with the inning's third run, after which a Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.) fielder's choice and the last of three Sword errors accounted for the final two runs, bringing home Moreno and Velazquez for insurance.
Minter again was stellar in the circle, scattering nine hits while fanning eight Swords against no walks. She retired five-consecutive batters at one point, and notched the final two outs via strikeout to pick up her fourth victory of the tournament, tossing 72 strikes in 100 pitches thrown. Minter was especially sharp when it counted as CU capitalized on only one of 10 opportunties with runners on base. Moreno and Reyes each stroked two hits for CSUDH while Wilson and Velazquez tallied two RBI apiece in the win.
The Toros return to CCAA Conference action this week with a crucial four-game set against No. 7-ranked and CCAA-leading Cal State Bakersfield. CSUDH plays its rescheduled twinbill at Bakersfield on Friday, April 7, before hosting the 'Runners the next day on Toro Diamond, with first pitch of Saturday's contest scheduled for a 12 noon start.
