Toros Perfect on Day One of Mizuno Best of the West Tournament

CSUDH blanks Davis & Elkins and Central Washington to open 2010 campaign

Katie Garcia led the offense as CSUDH opened 2010 with two wins at the Best of the West Tournament

vs Davis & Elkins | vs Central Washington

TURLOCK, Calif. -- Youth and experience took center stage for the Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team on day one of the Mizuno Best of the West Tournament, with freshman hurler Lauren Harper posting two shutouts and senior three-time All-CCAA selection Katie Garcia going a perfect 4-for-4 with 3 runs and an RBI in 9-0 (5) and 3-0 wins over Davis & Elkins and Central Washington, respectively.

Senior Amber Angel wasted no time in flexing her muscles as she belted a 3-run home run as part of a 6-run 3rd inning to lift the Toros to a 5-inning 9-0 blanking over Davis & Elkins in the first game of the tournament, hosted by Cal State Stanislaus, as CSUDH exploded for 5 hits in the frame, including a 2-run blast by freshman Jessica Hall to close the inning's scoring.

Hall, along with Garcia and Caitlin McGrath, paced the CSUDH offense with two hits apiece while Harper picked up the win in her Toro debut, allowing just one hit in 3.0 innings of work in the contest that was shortened due to the run rule.

The nightcap looked to be an offensive struggle for both teams at the start, before McGrath brought home the game's first run on a sacrifice fly in the 3rd. CSUDH added a pair of runs two innings later on a Garcia RBI double and Emiley McEwen RBI single, giving Harper all the support she would need.

The San Diego native picked up her second win of her college career, scattering seven hits while fanning six against just three walks.

CWU looked to mount a rally in the 2nd with runners at the corners and one out, but Harper fanned the next Wildcat to bat and induced a fielder's choice on the next batter, keeping the game scoreless.

After the three Toro runs, the Wildcats mounted a charge in their final at-bat after loading the bases with one out, but a line drive to Rose Vargas at 3B started a game-ending 5-3 double play to keep the Toros perfect in 2010.

CSUDH will look to continue its winning ways tomorrow as it faces Grand Canyon at 11 am and host CS Stanislaus at 3:15 pm, on day two of the tournament.

Print Friendly Version