Benavidez Ends Grueling Tie, Lifts Toros to 5-4 Win Over Cal State L.A.

Box Score

CARSON -- Five long and scoreless innings came to an abrupt end in the bottom of the ninth as Dean Benavidez sliced a 3-2, one-out single down the left line to drive in Kevin Logan for the game-winner as the Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team grabbed a 5-4 win over the Golden Eagles of Cal State L.A.

After taking a pitch in the shoulder following one out in the ninth, Brian Sturgis handed off running duties to speedster Logan, setting up for the game-winning play.

Cleanly stealing second on a 0-1 count to Benavidez, Logan had no problem at all walking through home, following Benavidez's blast to deep right a few minutes later.

Prior to the run, both CSUDH and CSULA held each other not only run-less but hit-less as well as reliever Matt Phillips fanned seven batters and allowed only one hit in a 4.2 inning span.

The Golden Eagles were just as effective in the end from the hill with starter Anthony Lopez, reliever Camron Collard and eventually closer Rory Young holding the Toros to only one hit in a 4.1 inning span.

Prior to the hitting drought the Toros grabbed four runs, two apiece in the second and fourth off the bat of John Skala. Skala registered his first home run of the season, a two-RBI blast over the right fence in the second and a two-RBI single in the fourth.

he visitors enjoyed a long shot as well with Sam Wiley dropping a two-RBI blast through the left in only the first frame to give CSULA a 2-0 lead.

Both squads registered six hits apiece, with Skala being the only player to grab more than one hit.

Picking up the win, Phillips is now 1-0 on the season.

The win improves the Toros to a 2-3 record overall and 2-1 against NCAA opponents. CSULA will play host tomorrow for a doubleheader to close out the Toros and Golden Eagles four-game series, first pitch is slated for 11:00am.

Print Friendly Version