Toros Offense Comes Alive in 11-8 Game One Win at Cal State Monterey Bay

Box Score

SEASIDE -- Junior Sako Chapjian led the Toros hot bats in a thrilling 11-8 win in CSUDH's series opener at Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday afternoon in California Collegiate Athletic Association play.

The Toros improve their record to 8-20 in the CCAA and are now 12-24 overall. The Otters fall to 15-8 in conference play, 22-21 overall.

Sean Wardour started the weekend opener and, after offering two Otter runs in the second inning, he settled in shut down the home team's offense through the sixth inning.

Although the Toros were not the first to score, they tallied more runs than their opponent beginning in the top of the third with a triple by Chris Vopinek. Danny Haley was able to bring in the first run after laying a successful sacrifice bunt to score Vopinek from third.

CSUDH tied the score in the fourth with another run after taking advantage of some wild Otter pitching as starter Donny Medlinger loaded the bases walking Chapjian, Drew Rodela, and Chris Allen with just one out in the inning.

Matt Akiyama then stepped up and connected for a sacrifice fly to right field to score the only run for the Toros for the fourth inning.

Cal State Monterey Bay's pitching continued to struggle allowing the Toros to take the lead 3-2. Ricky Vasquez, who eventually scored the run for the Toros, reached on an Otter defensive error and with two outs took his chance to score after advancing home from third on a wild pitch.

Wardour ran into some trouble in the seventh, allowing Monterey Bay to battle back and take a 6-2 lead over the Toros.

Matt Montgomery was first in relief for Dominguez Hills and although he only gave up one run of his own, he wrapped up the sixth inning for the Toros.

Down once again the Toros bats came alive in a big way, with seven runs scored in the top of the eighth. Leading the rally was Chapjian with a lead off homerun, his fifth of the season.

After Rodela was given first after being hit by a pitch, the Otters decided to make a pitching change, which Allen took advantage of with a two-run shot over the centerfield fence.

With one out, Vopinek hit his second extra base hit, followed by Vasquez reaching on another fielding error. Haley recorded his second RBI of the game after flying out to left field, scoring Vopinek.

Matthew Young and Carlos Avila each followed with singles before batting completely around the line-up. Chapjian, up for his second time in the inning, doubled before the Otters brought in another pitcher in relief to wrap up the inning.

The Toros would score once more to bring their run total to 11 after Vopinek hit another double to score Chris Allen, who led off the ninth with a walk.

The bottom of the ninth got interesting with Monterey Bay unwilling to go quietly, tagging Montgomery with two more runs with no outs.

Hector Gomez came in and was able to hold the Toros to an 11-8 win and record his second save in the process.

Chapjian led the Toros offense hitting 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI, a double, and homerun on the afternoon. Vopinek finished 3-for-5 with two runs, an RBI, two doubles, and a triple.

Chris Allen also recorded one of his strongest offensive games to date, swinging 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, two walks, and connecting for a homeruns as well.

The two teams go at it again tomorrow morning for a double-header, with game one set for 11 am.

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Toros Offense Comes Alive in 11-8 Game One Win at Cal State Monterey Bay