LA JOLLA – Sophomore Kayla Lock hit her first career home run in game one to highlight the Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team's second day at UC San Diego Saturday.
The Toros couldn't protect a five-run lead in the seventh to drop game one 9-8 while the Tritons struck early to take the nightcap 8-2.
Game 1 – UCSD 9, CSUDH 8
Lock put the Toros (7-42, 5-31 CCAA) on the scoreboard first with her three-run homerun in the top of the second inning and starting pitcher Alyssa Valinches kept San Diego's bats quiet through three innings allowing only one run to score on one hit.
CSUDH loaded the bases in the top of the fourth as Kendelle Messersmith led off with a single down the right field line, Loe was hit by the pitch, and Lock reached on a fielder's choice taking advantage of a throwing error by the pitcher. A second error by the Tritons (26-22, 17-19 CCAA) allowed Messersmith to cross home plate. Madison Murphy drove in Loe with a single up the middle to increase the Toro lead to 5-1.
San Diego was able to get one run back in the bottom half of the frame and both teams were kept scoreless in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Damari Simon led off the seventh with her second triple of the season and scored on Messersmith's single through the left side. Loe sent a two-run homerun over center field fence to bring the score to 8-2.
The Tritons had an unstoppable rally in the bottom of the seventh and scored seven runs. A three-run homerun was sent over center field fence, two runs were scored on a double, and two more runs were added during a Toro throwing error to give UCSD a 9-8 win.
Lyzette Reveles, Murphy, Simon, Analisa Nicholson, Loe, and Lock had one hit each for the Toros while Messersmith tallied two.
Valinches tossed the first five innings allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out three. Loe recorded the loss after throwing the remaining one and two thirds innings.
Game 2 – UCSD 8, CSUDH 2
Dominguez Hills scored first for the fourth straight game. Reveles led off with a single to right field and Simon and Nicholson walked to load the bases. Messersmith drove in Reveles with a single to left field and Lock's single to right field brought in Simon to score for an early 2-0 lead.
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UCSD took control of the rest of the game scoring one in the first, two in the second, and five in the third for a score of 8-2.
Lock, Loe, Messersmith, Murphy, and Reveles had one hit apiece for the Toros.
Kiara Mendoza and Sharie Albert split the game in the circle and Albert recorded the loss.
The Cardinal and Gold returns home Friday April 28 for their season finale and will host Cal State San Marcos with first pitch at 1 p.m. Toro Seniors will be honored on Saturday April 29 prior to game one at 12 p.m.
