CSUDH Falls 5-4 to CSUSB in Game One of Four-Game Conference Series

Box Score

Carson, CA -- Senior Jon Alia gave the Toros a brief glimpse of momentum with a game-tying blast in the eight as part of his 3-for-4 afternoon, but visiting Cal State San Bernardino used a hit batter and two singles in the ninth to scratch across the game-winning run in taking game one of the four-game set 5-4. With the loss, CSUDH dips to 10-7, 6-3 CCAA.

Facing a 2-0 deficit going into the bottom of the fifth after timely 'Yotes singles and a double in the fourth gave them the edge, the Toros responded with the start of their momentum as a deep John Skala double down the left line would bring home Dean Benavidez who had reached on his own double to the same location.

CSUDH would add two more in the sixth off another Alia double to finally take the lead, albeit brief.

After CSUSB after one run in both the seventh and eighth to regain the lead, the Toros saw a glimmer of hope as Paul-Michael Klingsberg would reach in the eighth after being hit by the pitch. Ade Olanrawju would go in to pinch-run before being picked off on the first throw from the mound.

With Alia coming up to blast a homer on his first pitch, the Toros were unable to grab the lead, only tying it before falling to the Coyotes in the ninth.

Going 3-4 on the day was Alia whose solo homerun attributed to his two RBIs. Klingsberg was the other offensive threat going 2-3 with one run. The Toros were outhit by CSUSB 13-10, a defining factor in the loss.

Michael Cruz was handed his first loss of the season on the mound after pitching three complete innings in relief and fanning two of his batters. Cruz now stands with a 2-1 record.

With a record of 10-7 (6-3 CCAA), the Toros will face off again tomorrow against the Coyotes for games two of the series. First pitch is set at 2:00pm.

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