San Francisco, Calif.--- Behind the strong pitching of Cal State Dominguez Hills' starter Jeff Phillips (2-1), the visiting Toros (6-8-1, 2-3 CCAA) defeated the San Francisco State University Gators 2-1 this afternoon in game one of the four-game CCAA series at SF State's Maloney Field.

Phillips pitched 8.1 innings of five hit ball while giving up one run and striking out nine and walking five. James Dodson pitched the final 0.2 scoreless innings of relief in recording his first save of the season for the Toros while striking out one and walking one.

The loss spoiled a great outing by senior pitcher Kyle Phipps. Phipps (0-3) pitched eight innings, giving up nine hits and two runs while striking out four and walking one for the Gators (1-12, 0-5 CCAA). Junior pitcher Beau Moorehead came in relief in the ninth and pitched a scoreless ninth and struck out one Toro.

Mateo Marquez gave the Toros a 1-0 lead with a lead-off home run to left center in the top of the fifth inning, his first of the season. Dustin Hicks drove in Cody Puckett in the Toros' ninth with an insurance run on a single to right field after Puckett opened the inning with a double to left center.

In the Gators' half of the ninth, Derek Simpe opened the inning with a single to right center. He advanced to second when Evan Romanchuk was walked. Ryan Hill pinch ran for Romanchuk.

With one out, senior David Phillips walked to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Larry Lewis drove in Simper on a sacrifice fly to left field off of reliever Dodson. Jonathan Combs walked to once again load the bases, but Dodson struck out the final Gator to save the 2-1 victory for Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Romanchuk finished the game 3 for 3 for the Gators while Marquez and Martin Conde each had two hits for the Toros.

The two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow morning for an 11am starting conference doubleheader at SF State's Maloney Field.