Vargas' Blast Helps Earns Split Against CS East Bay in Nightcap

CARSON -- Junior Rose Vargas belted a 3-run home run as part of a 3-for-3 game two performance as the Toros rebounded from an opening game extra-inning 4-2 loss to take a 5-2 win over visiting Cal State East Bay this afternoon.

The Toros spotted the visitors a 1-0 lead after one inning of play, before their offense awoke in the fourth inning for four runs on three hits. After a walk sandwiched in between two hits to start the frame loaded the bases, a wild pitch knotted the game at one, setting the stage for Vargas.

Exhibiting patience, Vargas sent a 3-1 screamer over the center field fence for 4-1 Toro lead, draping momentum in Cardinal and Gold.

CSUDH added another run an inning later on an Emiley McEwen RBI single, before the Pioneers put together three hits for a run in the 7th, accounting for the game's final tally.

Starter Wendy Espindola improved to 3-3 for the Toros after scattering 8 hits and allowing both earned runs, with Vargas and McEwen pacing CSUDH's offense with three hits apiece.

The opener started promisingly for CSUDH after a McEwen sacrifice fly and Amber Angel RBI single gave the hosts a 2-0 lead after five.

In the sixth inning, however, CSUEB got right back into the game after leadoff hitter Sarah Divini took Toro starter Stephanie Jimenez deep with a runner on board, knotting the game at 2-2.

That's where the scoreboard stood until the eighth when a Toro error gave the Pioneers an extra out, allowing Rachelle Boone the opportunity to drive home the game-winner, which she did with a sacrifice fly that would have been the third out of the inning.

Jimenez took the hard-luck loss while Lauren Zweigle picked up her first win of the year in CSUEB's victory.

Katie Jordan led the Toros with three hits in the opener, with right fielder Caitlin McGrath making two of her three diving grabs in game one.

The Toros, who moved to 16-10, 11-9 CCAA, host CS San Bernardino on Tuesday, March 16, in a non-conference twinbill, slated for a 1:00 pm first pitch on Toro Diamond.

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