April 7, 2006

Box Score

Carson, CA – Senior Jason Garcia (South Gate, CA/LA Harbor College) tossed seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out 10 batters for the second time this season, while Martin Conde (Los Angeles, CA/Fremont HS) blasted his first home run of the year to lead the Toros to an 8-2 victory over visiting Grand Canyon on Friday afternoon on Toro Field, taking game one of the three-game set. With the win, the Toros have won three in a row and eight of their last 10 to improve to 16-13, while Grand Canyon University falls to 15-18 on the season.

CSUDH would use back-to-back doubles by Fred Medina (Santa Ana, CA/Century HS) and Houston Hernandez (La Mirada, CA/St. Paul HS) to lead off the 1st inning, putting the first run on the scoreboard. The Toros would tack on their second run of the inning two batters later when Jason Klug (Moreno Valley, CA/San Bernardino Valley College) hit a sharp ground ball to the first baseman that was mishandled, allowing Klug to reach safely and Hernandez to score from third.

The top of the Toro lineup would strike again in the 3rd inning, pounding out five hits and scoring three runs. Kyle Stanley (Buena Park, CA/Hawaii Pacific) would double home Hernandez from first base while Isidro Perez (South Gate, CA/LA Harbor College) and Cody Puckett (Apple Valley, CA/Hesperia HS) each drove in an additional run in the frame.

Garcia would be near perfect on the mound through the first three innings, allowing no hits and striking out four batters to keep the 'Lopes offense at bay.

Matt Michael would break the silence for the Lopes, taking a 3-2 pitch and sending it sailing over the wall in center field to lead off the 4th inning, spoiling the no-hitter and the shutout.

Garcia would not be taken out of his rhythm by the bomb, however, retiring the next three batters in order.

With the score 6-2 in favor of the Toros and one on in the 8th, Conde would take the second pitch he saw and send it over the fence in left center for his first home run of the season, extending the Toro lead to 8-2.

GCU starter Scott Welch would receive the loss, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 7.1 innings of work.

Garcia would pick up his second win of the season, striking out 10 batters for the second time this season, while only allowing two runs on three hits in 7.0 innings on the mound.

In addition to Conde's two RBIs, Hernandez would record three hits on the afternoon while Medina chipped in a pair of hits. With his single to left in the 3rd, Klug extended his hitting streak to 16 games. During his current hit streak, Klug is averaging .429 at the plate, while driving in 15 runs and slugging .651.

The Toros will be in action tomorrow as they take on Grand Canyon University in a non-conference double header, with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Toro Field.