LA JOLLA — The Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team couldn't complete any late rallies in a twinbill matchup against No. 12 UC San Diego Saturday. The Tritons halted the Toros' comeback attempt 10-8 in game one and had rallied in the sixth to win game two 6-5.
Game 1 - UCSD 10, CSUDH 8
Looking to recover from a five-run sixth and one-run seventh that put the Tritons ahead 10-6, the Toros had that chance in the ninth. Brandon Polizzi hit a one-out single through a hole on the left side and John Soteropulos went opposite to right center for a two-run shot that made it a two-run deficit. It was all the Toros got in the inning as the Tritons got a groundout for the third out.
The Toros had struck first in the third inning. Evan Yeager and Nick Morelli both hit singles to left, Esteban Ortega would get a base hit up the middle to drive in the first run, Miguel Castaneda would hit a RBI double to center and a fielding error allowed Ortega to score the third run.
UCSD would answer back in the fourth inning when a grand slam put the Tritons ahead 4-3.
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Morelli led off the fifth inning with a bunt single, stole second, took third on a flyout and scored the tying run during a fielding error attempt to get the third out. Daryl Donerson put the Toros back up front 6-4 with a two-run single to left center.
Starter Ethan Etchebarren tossed a shutout first inning but was taken out with two down in the second. Joe Mercado threw 3.1 allowing five earned runs despite striking out three.
Triton Preston Mott didn't meet the minimum requirement by going 4.2 on the mound. He was responsible for six runs, four of which were unearned. Jack Rupe went the rest of the way allowing two runs.
Game 2 - UCSD 6, CSUDH 5
The Tritons had taken a 3-0 lead in the first inning using a sacrifice fly and a two-run single but the Toros had got on the board in the third when Miguel Castaneda, with the bases loaded, drew a walk to force in their first run of the game.
UC San Diego would eventually get the three-run lead back in its half of the third inning.
After Brandon Evans hit a leadoff home run in the fourth, Dominguez Hills would take the lead in the sixth inning. Evans and pinch hitter Shawn Sweeney hit back-to-back leadoff singles that would set up runners at the corners. Evans scored on a wild pitch and Polizzi drove in Sweeney with a base hit to left field. Polizzi would find his way to third on a sacrifice bunt and Ortega hit a sacrifice fly to give the Toros a 5-4 lead.'
The lead did not las long as the Tritons answered back in their half of the inning with two runs on three base hits.
Rigo Fernandez got the starting nod for the Toros, going 4.1 innings with two strikeouts.
The Toros return home Tuesday to play a makeup game against Point Loma from February's washout. First pitch is at 3 p.m. with the first 75 students, faculty and staff in attendance get free tacos and a chance to win both a Apple iPad and Fitbit.
