CARSON -- Miguel Castaneda's two-run home run in the sixth cut the deficit in half but the Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team couldn't get any consistent momentum in a 5-2 loss to No. 11 Chico State in the CCAA series finale Sunday.
Ethan Etchebarren had a strong outing on the mound, allowing just one earned run 6.1 innings. He also struck out two.
Two errors in the first inning proved costly for the Toros which resulted in 2 unearned runs. A leadoff double by Sonny Cortez got things started for the Wildcats who then reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Dallas Porter and a throwing error. Cortez would come around to score on a fielder's choice and give the visitors the early lead. Two more runs would come across the plate when Cody Snider reached on a fielding error by Adrian Guzman.
The Wildcats added another run in the fourth as Cortez reached first base on a fielding error by Brandon Polizzi, then promptly stole second base. Porter then singled to left center field giving the visitors another unearned run.
The Toros got a few runs back in the sixth inning from a Miguel Castaneda 2 run homerun to left center field, his first of the season. In the process Castaneda drove in Parker Hokuf who reached base on a single earlier in the inning.
Chico State added another run in the eighth inning when Cortez was walked with the bases loaded.
In the bottom of the ninth, Daryl Donerson singled to center field and reached second base through defensive indifference with 1 out. Donerson then advanced to third on a wild pitch and was brought home by an RBI single from Shawn Sweeney. The next batter, Polizzi, singled to second base and Guzman the tying run at the plate. Yet, the team were unable to score another run as Guzman lined out to first base.
The Toros continue play against the CCAA North this weekend visiting Cal State East Bay. The series begins Saturday at noon.
