Toros Drop 11-5 Slugfest to No. 21 Coyotes to Open Key CCAA Series

Box Score

CARSON -- In the first meeting between two nationally-ranked teams, the No. 21-ranked Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino launched four home runs to take the series opener 11-5 against the No. 30 Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros. Keeping his hitting-streak alive, Kevin Pillar blasted his own shot over the fence to pace the Toro offense.

The Toros powered up their bats early with an Abel Medina bomb over the left side to bring in two for the Toros in only the first frame.

With one away, Pillar came up two batters later to send his own shot deep, a first-pitch hit over center field to keep his hit-streak going at 23 games, and aligning his name atop the CSUDH list for consecutive hits.

The 3-0 Toro lead would only last through five innings as the Coyotes pelted the CSUDH mound with a homer in both the third and fifth to grab a 6-3 lead.

The biggest inning of the game came in the fifth, as CSUSB grabbed four runs on as many hits, boosted by the two-RBI Ryan Hulbert blast.

Pillar would give the Toros their last say in the day with an RBI-single to score Medina before Brian Sturgis would bring in the last run for the Toros with the score at 7-5.

Taking over in relief in the seventh, Sean Wardour looked to silence the 'Yotes bats as he shut down the side with two ground outs and a strikeout.

Yet again, however, CSUSB looked for more runs, grabbing a total of four in the final two frames with a homer in each inning.

Starter Kody Kurowski fanned three batters in six innings of duty for the Toros to take the loss, his first of the year to place him at 4-1.

Recording the win, Aaron Brooks threw a complete-game for CSUSB, fanning 10 Toro batters in the process.

Aside from Pillar's two RBIs, Medina was key for the Toros to bring in two RBI as well off his first inning blast.

Overall the hosts managed seven hits, with five accounting for runs. CSUSB peppered the Toros with 14 hits, led by Ethan Chapman with 3.

The loss drops the Toros to a 16-9 overall mark and 11-6 in the CCAA while moving the Coyotes to 15-7 overall and 15-6 in the CCAA. The two teams will continues the series tomorrow at 3:00pm on Toro Field.

Print Friendly Version