CARSON - Cal State Dominguez Hills fought hard, but fell in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) softball doubleheader to UC San Diego, Friday afternoon at Toro Diamond. The Toros narrowly dropped the first game, 2-1, and game two by a score of 9-3.
 
The Toros are now 15-35 overall and 11-27 in conference play. The Tritons improve to 32-15 overall and 25-13 in the CCAA.
 
The two teams will play another doubleheader tomorrow in CSUDH's
 
Game One - UCSD 2, CSUDH 1
Trailing 2-0 with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Toro sophomore Jade Loe, who came in to pinch hit, hit one up the middle to the outfield to score senior outfielder Doreen Corella. In the same play, senior outfielder Kayla Lock rounded third and tried to even the score, but was thrown out at home as the Tritons prevailed.
 
Sophomore Rachael Sandoval tallied two hits. Senior pitcher Alyssa Valinches gave up one earned run in seven innings of work and struck out seven.
 
UCSD scored its two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to two hits, one walk and one CSUDH error. The Toros almost got a run in the bottom of the inning as Sandoval tried to score on a wild pitch, but was called out at home.
 
The Toros nearly rallied back in the bottom of the seventh. Junior infielder Damari Simon and senior outfielder Doreen Corella drew walks, and senior outfielder Kayla Lock singled to load the bases. Sophomore infielder Kendelle Messersmith grounded into a double play as Simon was called out at home. In the next at bat, Loe hit a single to score Corella, but couldn't get the tying run in as Lock was called out at home.
 
Game Two - UCSD 9, CSUDH 3
The Toros scored three runs, including a home run from Loe, but it was not enough and took a 9-3 loss to the Tritons in game two. Loe compiled one hit, one run and two RBI. Senior outfielder Doreen Corella was perfect from the plate, going 2-for-2 with one run.
 
UCSD got three runs in the top of the fourth to open the scoring. CSUDH answered in the bottom of the inning as Corella singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Simon and took third on a wild pitch. Junior designated player Renee Galindo grounded out, but was able to get Corella in for the first Toro score of the game.
 
The Tritons widened the margin to four in the top of the sixth with two runs. The Toros were able to respond in the bottom of the inning once again, matching UCSD with two runs of their own. Messersmith got a base hit and Loe scorched one over the right field wall for her first homer of the season.
 
The Tritons got four insurance runs in the top of the seventh and struck out the side.