Toros Use Long Ball to Take Series from Cal State East Bay

Junior Jonathan Keener hit the game-winning home run that broke open a 1-1 tie

HAYWARD -- In need of a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive, junior Jonathan Keener hit a game-winning three-run homer as part of a 4-run 6th inning to give Cal State Dominguez Hills a 7-2 victory over Cal State East Bay, and a 3-to-1 series win. The Sunday victory gave the Toros their second series victory for the season and kept them within four games of the final CCAA playoff spot.

Both squads scored one run in the first inning, with CSUDH's run coming on an RBI fielder's choice by Abel Medina that scored Carlos Leyva, the all-time CCAA runs leader.

The Toros (18-21, 14-18 CCAA) started the top of the sixth with two singles, followed by the three-run blast to left field from Keener on a 1-0 offering. Barrett Ceverha added another RBI to give CSUDH a 5-1 lead through six.

CSU Dominguez Hills starter Josh Corrales impressed again, giving up only one run over seven innings, allowing only four hits while striking out nine Pioneers.

With Corrales out, CSUEB (10-27, 8-22 CCAA) scored one in the bottom of the eighth before the Toros added two in the top of the ninth on a 2-RBI double by Kevin Pillar to bring the game to its 7-2 final.

Leyva, Pillar and Kyle Pond each had two hits with Keener leading the way with three RBIs.

Cal State Dominguez Hills will take next weekend off before playing a two-game, non-conference home-and-home with cross-town rival Cal State L.A. The series begins Friday, April 22, in Los Angeles, with first pitch set for 6:00pm.

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