Toros Split Pair at Northwest Nazarene in Non-Conference Twinbill

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

NAMPA, Idaho -- Junior Bubby Rossman connected for a 3-run blast in the top of the 9th inning of today's non-conference opening game at Northwest Nazarene, and that proved the difference in the 7-5 win before the Crusaders staged a come-from-behind 3-2 victory in the nightcap to split the double-header.

With the split, CSUDH moves to 16-15 overall, while NNU now stands at 15-16.

Toro starter Sean Wardour got the visitors off on the right foot in the opener, limiting the Crusaders to just four hits over the first four innings of work, with a Chris Allen RBI triple in the 3rd staking him to a 1-0 lead.

An NNU leadoff solo shot in the 5th tied the game at 1-1, but the Toros answered back with solo runs in both the 6th and 8th innings, before a 4-run 9th, capped by a swipe of home by Kevin Logan and Rossman's jack, gave CSUDH a 7-1 lead.

Those runs turned out to be huge as NNU answered with 4 runs of its own off two Toro pitchers, with Tyler Mark fanning the final batter he faced looking.

Ivory Thomas paced all hitters with a 4-for-5 day including 3 runs scored, with Rossman belting 3 hits with 2 runs scored.

Wardour lasted 8.0 innings of work, scattering 5 hits with one earned run allowed, fanning 6 against just two walks.

In the nightcap, Toro starter Dimitri de la Fuente and NNU starter Jeremy Burk were locked in a scoreless duel through four full innings.

That changed in the 5th as Jordan Yallen drew a bases-loaded walk for the game's first run, with a Brady Conlan sacrifice fly an inning later giving CSUDH a 2-0 lead.

NNU, however, replied with the game's final three runs in the 6th on 3 hits off de la Fuente, who was saddled with the loss.

CSUDH had one final chance to tie in the 7th after getting two runners on base with two out, but reliever Andrew Groves induced a ground out for his 5th save of the year, and a Monday split.

The two teams will conclude their four-game set tomorrow, with first pitch of game one set for an 11 am start PST.

Print Friendly Version