April 8, 2006

Box Score

Game 1    Game 2

Carson, CA -- The 10th-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills looked to have a sweep locked up of visiting 6th-ranked Cal State Bakersfield after scoring seven unanswered runs to take a 9-8 lead heading into the top of the 7th inning. But the resilient Roadrunners capitalized on two crucial Toro errors in their final at-bat and used a Renee Rubio grand slam to take heart-breaking 13-9 win in game two, over 2½ hours after CSUDH took a 2-0 decision in the opener.

With the split, CSUDH moves to 29-6, 8-4 CCAA and remains three games back of the 'Runners in the conference, while CSUB now stands at 36-8, 13-3 CCAA.

In the opener, the Toros capitalized on two 'Runner errors in the 2nd inning to plate their first run as Jen Wilson (Orange, CA/Bellflower HS/CS Fullerton) drew a one-out walk, stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a throwing error, eventually scoring on a misplayed grounder for a 1-0 lead. After Cindy Perry-Brown (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) snagged what would have been a game-tying RBI double on a smash by CSUB's Allison Amezcua, Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.) gave the Toros an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning, roping a single to left field to score Perry-Brown, who singled and stole 2nd to begin the frame.

That would be more than enough for CSUDH starter Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/Central Kitsap HS/CS Stanislaus), who scattered six hits in picking up the complete-game win (10-2). The Bremerton native finished strong, retiring the final six 'Runner batters, including three via strikeout. Perry-Brown picked up two stolen bases and one of the four Toros hits as CSUDH drew three walks in the win. CSUB starter Christie Hill fell to 16-6 in the loss, while Bethany Snow and Cara Klein each knocked two hits for the 'Runners.

Behind two RBI each by Hill and Amber Mills, CSUB looked to have the nightcap under control as it took a 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the 5th. The Toros, however, staged a momentous rally which began in their 5th inning at bat, using four hits and a CSUB error to cut the lead to 8-5, with two runs coming on a Linda Reyes (Garden Grove, CA/Pacifica HS/St. John's) 2RBI double to center field. CSUDH seemed to complete its comeback one inning later as it used a Wilson 2RBI double and Reyes 2RBI single to take a 9-8 lead, but the 'Runners would turn the tables and capitalize on Toro miscues to have the final say.

In the 'Runners' 7th-inning at-bat, consecutive errors followed a one-out single by Hilary Taylor, bringing Amezcua to the plate with the bases loaded. After fouling off five pitches from CSUDH's Amy Thomas (Barstow, CA/Barstow HS), who came in in relief of starter Kristine Minter (Chula Vista, CA/Hampton University) three innings earlier, Amezcua drew a walk to knot the game at 9-9, setting the stage for Rubio. Rubio, who had reached base in all four earlier at-bats, wasted little time in capping the CSUB come-from-behind win as she deposited Thomas' second pitch over center field to give the 'Runners the win.

Thomas allowed just two hits in the final inning, but the final two of five total CSUDH errors in the contest accounted for the five unearned runs in the frame as Thomas took the hard-luck loss (8-4). Reyes and Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) tallied three hits apiece, with Reyes' four RBI pacing the Toro run-producers. Perry-Brown, who picked up one hit in each of the two games, has now hit safely in 21-consecutive contests.

Hill, the third pitcher CSUB used, allowed one hit in 1.1 innings of relief to pick up the win (17-6), while Rubio's 3-hit, 4RBI performance topped the 'Runner batters. Bethany Snow also enjoyed a productive day at the plate, going 5-for-8 in the split.

The Toros continue CCAA action at Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego next weekend, before returning home to face the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters on Friday, April 21, with first pitch of game one scheduled for a 12 noon start on Toro Diamond.