ROHNERT PARK – The Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team rallied from a two-run deficit in the ninth inning, but Sonoma State answered back in its half of the inning and walked off with a 3-2 series-opening win over the Toros Saturday.
 
The early portion of the game was a pitcher's duel between Rigo Fernandez and Seawolf starter Dominic Garihan. While both of them tossed shutout gems on the mound, Fernandez made it through 6.2 while his counterpart made eight through eight innings.
 
Fernandez punched out six batters but allowed five walks and three hits.
 
Dalton Duarte, who played his first game since March 8, led off the ninth with his sixth home run on the year to make it a one-run deficit. Justin Morris followed by reaching on an error, reached third on John Gonzalez's base hit to left field and scored in the tying run on a bases-loaded walk.
 
The opportunity to take the lead was spoiled by an inning-ending double play.
 
Ian Codina appeared solid since taking over for Fernandez in the seventh. He struggled in the ninth by allowing back-to-back leadoff singles. After intentionally walking the third batter to load the bases, the Toros caught a break with a fly out but pinch-hitter Anthony Clyma hit a single to score in the winning run.
 
The two teams will play a 9/7-inning doubleheader Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.