CARSON – There's a saying: 'third times a charm.' That's what happened Saturday after Rigo Fernandez struck out 12 batters against San Francisco State in game one of a twinbill to set a new career-best after matching his previous mark (9) on two different occasions this season.
 
Despite the accomplishment, it was spoiled by the Gators, who stole both games 7-2 (11 innings) in game one and 6-0 in the nightcap to clinch the California Collegiate Athletic Association series with one remaining Saturday at noon.
 
Game 1 – SFSU 7, CSUDH 2 (11 Innings)
The Gators couldn't quite figure out the Toros ace Fernandez for four innings, getting only a walk in the second innings against the southpaw.
 
Dominguez Hills got on the board right away in the first inning. Jordan James hit a one-out single and Dalton Duarte put two runners into scoring position with a double to right. A fielding mistake at shortstop gave the Toros the first run of the game and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded forced in the second.
 
The Toros would get a runner on second in the third and fifth innings but were stranded.
 
Fernandez's no-hit bid came to an end in the fifth inning when he gave up a solo homer to Jack Harris. He got himself into deeper trouble in the seventh inning with runners at the corners and one out. He got help from his defense with a tag out at home and escaped the threat with his 12^th strikeout.
 
Looking to protect the 2-1, Ian Codina got into trouble right out of the bullpen to start the eighth. After loading the bases on walks, one was intentional, a 4-6-3 double play was enough for the Gators to score in the tying run.
 
Codina limited the Gators to just a single in the ninth and 10^th innings. The 11^th-inning downfall began with a leadoff single and two errors during a sacrifice bunt attempt. Following an intentional walk to load the bases, the Gators tackled in five runs on a fielder's choice, a two-run double and a pair of sacrifice flies.
 
The Toros lineup racked up nine hits in the game, with three coming from James.
 
Game 2 – SFSU 6, CSUDH 0
The Gators quickly took a 1-0 in the game-opener using a leadoff single, a wild pitch and a pair of sacrifices. The Toros tried to counteract in their half of the first with Kai Gomez reaching on a walk. Although he got a stolen base, he was stranded at third.
 
It was one of three chances Dominguez Hills had the leadoff runner reach third base. Stephen Kish led off with a single in the second and Gomez copied his first plate appearance.
 
Even though the first run in the game-opener was enough, the Gators chomped on the Toros with two runs in the second and three in the fifth.
 
Nick Suniga got through 4.2 striking out four but gave up 10 hits. Willie Traynor threw 1.1 shutout innings and Timmy Shiba tossed his third shutout inning in as many appearances.
 
The Toros got only four hits against starter Dillon Houser, who got a complete-game shutout gem with seven strikeouts.