LA JOLLA — The Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team's bats stay hot as the Toros racked up a season-high 20, including 11 from the heart of the lineup, to slug their way to a 9-2 win over No. 8 UC San Diego in the California Collegiate Athletic Association series opener Thursday evening.

The Toros (8-8, 3-4) have now won three straight games and four of their last five. In addition, CSUDH has recorded 71 hits in its last five games.

Nick Morelli tallied three hits from the second spot in the lineup, Brady Conlan produced five from the third, Miguel Castanada had two of his four knocks stretched for doubles and Parker Hokuf had two. Castanada and Hokuf also lived up their to their roles in the fourth and fifth slots by driving in three runs each.

TyRay Gatewood (2-3) had one of the best starts since Feb. 16. Despite a two-run first inning, the senior right-hander tossed shutout innings until he turned it over to the bullpen in the seventh. He finished the night striking out eight and conceding five hits on 97 pitches.

Peter Fierros and Anthony Cortez combined for four strikeouts and 2.1 shutout performance.

Triton starter Alon Leichman (2-1) suffered the loss even though he threw six innings. The Toros scored four runs on 11 hits and a walk off of him.

The Toros grabbed an early lead in the first inning. Morelli started off with a one-out base hit and back-to-back doubles by Conlan and Castaneda gave the Toros a 2-0 lead. Parker Hokuf followed with an RBI single to center field to score in the third run.

UCSD (16-5, 6-3) got two of those runs back as soon as it got its hands on the bat, using a triple and a pair of singles.

CSUDH added more breathing room in the third when a fielder's choice allowed Conlan to score from third.

The two teams meet again at Triton Ballpark for game two Friday at noon.