April 21, 2006

Box Score

Carson, CA – The Toros used a bases loaded hit batsman and base on balls on consecutive at-bats in the bottom of the 8th inning to squeak by the visiting UC San Diego Tritons, 4-3, in game two of the four-game set. Houston Hernandez (La Mirada, CA/St. Paul HS) enjoyed a 3-for-4 performance at the plate while scoring two runs in spurring the Toros to a 22-15 overall and 11-9 CCAA record, winning nine of the last 11 contests. With the loss, UCSD falls to 25-20 overall and 14-12 in conference.

UCSD had it easy in the top of the 1st after Toro starter Ryan Owen (Riverside, CA/West Torrance HS) hit the first two batters and walked the third to load the bases with no outs. Scott Clement followed with a deep fly to right field that should have allowed the runner at third to tag and score, but a miscue on the bases turned the fly ball into a 932 double play.

The Tritons would not waste their final out, however, as John Roth doubled to left, bringing home both runners to give UCSD the early 2-0 lead.

The Toros would rally behind Owen in their first at-bat. Hernandez would lace the first pitch he saw to right field, and Kyle Stanley (Buena Park, CA/Hawaii Pacific) would follow by being hit by a the UCSD starter Jose Navarro. After a ground out to the right side advanced both runners, Isidro Perez (South Gate, CA/LA Harbor College) would take a 1-2 pitch and line it into the right center field gap, scoring both runners to knot the game at 2-2.

Owen would keep the Triton offense at bay over the next three innings, only allowing two base runners while recording three strikeouts.

The Tritons' Navarro would also settle into a groove, not allowing a runner past second base over the next six innings and giving up only two hits while striking out five batters.

UCSD would reclaim the lead in the top of the 5th on a two out single by Clement, scoring leadoff man Damian Fante from third.

But that momentum would be short-lived as Navarro would get into a jam three innings later. After fanning the first batter to begin the bottom of the 8th, Navarro would give up a single to Hernandez and a double to Stanley, putting runners on second and third. Playing the odds, the Tritons opted to walk CCAA batting average leader Jason Klug (Moreno Valley, CA/San Bernardino Valley College) to set up a force or possible double play. That strategy backfired, however, as Navarro plunked Perez in the back of the helmet, giving Hernandez a free pass home.

Ryan Leake would replace Navarro on the hill and fan the first batter he faced, but Cody Puckett (Apple Valley, CA/Hesperia), yesterday's hero, drew a walk to plate Stanley, giving the Toros the lead for good.

The Toros' Dustin Gober (Long Beach, CA/Compton College) would take the mound in the 9th, and keep the Tritons scoreless to record his 3rd save of the year.

Owen would pick up his fifth win of the year for the Toros (5-2), allowing three runs on five hits and striking out seven in eight innings of work, while Perez would chip in three RBIs on the day.

Navarro would receive the loss (6-3), tossing 7.1 innings and allowing four runs on six hits while recording six strikeouts.

The Toros will be in action tomorrow to conclude the four-game set, traveling to La Jolla to take on the Tritons in an afternoon twin bill, with first pitch of game one scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. start.