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Toros Take Extra Frame in Nightcap to Take Down Warriors, 9-8, After Falling 9-3 in Opener

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1    Game 2

Carson, CA - The Toros survived a late meltdown in the nightcap and needed an extra frame to take a 9-8 decision to salvage a split after falling in the opener 9-3 to Cal State Stanislaus.  With the split CSUDH improves to 19-26, 15-12 CCAA, and CSUS is 26-15, 18-9 CCAA.

After scoring just three runs in the opener, the Toro bats were hot in the nightcap as CSUDH scored in each of the first five innings to take a comfortable 6-1 lead.  Momentum, however, swung to the Warrior in a big way in the top of the 6th.

With one run already across and the bases loaded, Kyle Loretelli stepped in the box, swung at an 0-1 offering and began to trot as his bomb cleared the fence in right for a grand slam, knotting the game at 6-6.

CSUS took advantage of a Toro error to prolong the inning and Jake Oketani lined an RBI triple down the right field line to complete the Warrior comeback.

Facing a deficit for the first time in the game, Eduardo Gomez was hit by a pitch with one out to bring up Phillip Van Doren, who started the opener and received the loss, but Van Doren got his revenge in only his second at bat of the season, crushing a 2-1 pitch to right center for his first homerun of the season, putting CSUDH back out in from 8-7.

The Warriors lived up their moniker and, with two outs and a runner on in the top of the 7th, Tom Long hit an RBI double into the gap in right center to tie the game again at 8-8.

In the extra frame Carlos Leyva led off with a walk and moved over on a sac bunt.  After a foul out and a walk, Cody Puckett then hit a slow rolling 3-2 grounder to second, forcing the second baseman to charge hard as the CCAA leader in stolen bases flew down the line.  The fielder's haste in gathering and throwing in one motion due to Puckett's speed let the ball sneak under his glove and allow Leyva to score the game-winning run.

Toro starter Matt Hopps received the no decision, allowing four runs (two earned) and striking out three batters in 5.1 innings on the mound.

Senior David Leyva, who yesterday picked up his first save of the season, was credited with his first win in relief in 2.2 innings of work.

At the plate Kevin Pillar was 3-4 with a homerun, while Eric Blackwell drove in three runs and Candelario Flores, Puckett, and Brian Sturgis each added two hits apiece.

In the day's opener, it looked like a pitcher's duel early on as Toro starter Van Doren and reigning CCAA pitcher of the week Marquis Fleming of the Warriors combined to allow just four hits and fan five over the first three innings.

Things changed quickly in the top of the 4th after back-to-back singles by Jacob Thelen and Jake Oketani opened the frame, as an errant throw to third on a sacrifice bunt one batter later allowed Thelen to score the first of five runs in the inning for the Warriors on just four hits.
 
In the Toro half of the inning Blackwell doubled down the left field line with Jon Alia on second, who walked and advanced on a wild pitch, scoring Alia for the first Toro run on the game.
 
The Warrior bats continued to tag the Toros hurlers, with two-RBI swings from Jeff Bellotti and Leandro Dottavio in the 6th and 7th innings, respectively, to extend CSUS' lead to 9-1.
 
An RBI double to center by Alia in the bottom of the inning and an RBI single by Flores in the 7th cut the deficit to 9-3 and gave the Toros momentum as they loaded the bases with two outs, but CSUS reliever Josh Lewis induced an inning ending pop up to end the threat.
 
Down to their last at bat the Toros again loaded the bases in the 9th with no outs, but again the Warriors went to the bullpen and Andrew Demott set the next three Toros down in order.
 
Flores was 3-4 with an RBI and a walk while Pillar and Gomez each chipped in a pair of hits.

The two teams conclude the series tomorrow, Sunday, April 13, with first pitch slated for 11:00 am on Toro Field.  Tomorrow will also be “Senior Day,” as CSUDH honors six departing seniors in Daniel Hartman, Clay Young, Jeff Phililps, David Leyva, Chris Hunter, and Martin Conde in a pre-game ceremony.
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