Gators Take Opener in Offensive Extra-Inning Affair

Box Score

CARSON -- Senior Bubby Rossman connected for his sixth home run of the year as part of a 3-for-4, 4 RBI performance, but visiting San Francisco State scored the eventual game-winner in the top of the 12th inning to take a 10-9 decision in game one of the four game set in a contest that lasted three hours and 45 minutes.

The two teams combined for 19 runs and 33 hits, with four of the five errors being committed by the hosts en route to SFSU scoring two unearned runs in the 10-9 win to drop the Toros to 18-23, 13-20 CCAA.

After the Gators put up a pair of runs in the first, CSUDH tied the game in the third on a Rossman 2RBI single down the right field line before putting up single runs in the fourth on a Danny Haley sacrifice fly and in the fifth on another sacrifice fly, this time by Alex Sixtos.

The Gators scored the game's next six runs to take an 8-4 lead, only to have the Toros scratch their way back into the game with two in the eighth, courtesy of a pinch-hit RBI double by Jack Colick on an 0-2 pitch.

SFSU, however, answered again with a run in the ninth, one that was needed after the Toros put up three in the ninth to tie the game with Rossman's 2-run shot over the right field wall giving CSUDH the momentum it needed to fuel Adrian Guzman's infield single to drive in Jordan Yallen, who drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Gators, however, got the last laugh with a run in the 12th to take the 10-9 contest.

Peter Ives led all batters with four hits, with Sixtos and David Steininger added two baseknocks each.

Nick Wagner took the loss after tossing 3.0 innings, fanning four while allowing two hits and the earned run in the 12th.

The two teams combined to throw 11 pitchers on the bump, with closer Cory Davis blowing the save but picking up the win, with second baseman-turned-reliever Joe Chedid tossing the final inning for a save.

The two teams will gear up for a Saturday twinbill, with first pitch set for 12 noon on Toro Field.

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