Box Score Box Score
San Bernardino, CA – Drew Valenzuela's two-run home run in the second inning proved enough for Cal State San Bernardino as the Coyotes defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills, 2-1, Friday in the 2008 season opening baseball game for both teams.
The non-conference mini-series continues Saturday with a doubleheader at the Toros home field in Carson, starting at 11 a.m.
The Coyotes got strong pitching from three hurlers. Senior right-hander Matt Long went 7.2 innings, yielding all seven Toros hits and one earned run while striking out seven and walking just one. Michael Leal came on in the eighth to get the third out with the tying run at second. Ward Minich retired the Toros in order in the ninth for the save.
Matt Hopps made one bad pitch for the Toros and it cost him and his teammates. In the second inning Kyle Walton led off with a single through the right side and Valenzuela smoked a liner over the left-field wall at Arrowhead Credit Union Park for a 2-0 Coyotes lead.
Hopps went 5.1 innings, gave up just four hits, walked four and struck out six in a commendable effort. Phillip Van Doren finished up with 2.2 innings of work, allowing just two hits and striking out four Coyotes without walking anybody.
The Toros got their only run in the eighth when senior catcher Martin Conde (3 for 3) led off with a two-strike double to right center. After two outs, junior shortstop Cody Puckett brought Conde home with a single to center to end Long's bid for a shutout.
Leal came out of the bullpen, walked a batter to put Puckett on second base, then struck out Jeff Cullen to end the frame.
Dominguez Hills stranded seven runners and the Coyotes eight. Puckett had seven assists at shortstop for the Toros.
The two teams will do battle tomorrow, Saturday, February 2, in a twinbill on Toro field slated for an 11:00 am first pitch.
(Courtesy of Cal State San Bernardino)
