CARSON – 'There's no place like home.'
 
That famous quote from the movie 'The Wizard of Oz' was used by the Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team on Saturday when it opened Toro Field for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down college sports in March 2020. And much like that quote, the Toros struck early and posted a 9-4 win over La Verne.
 
After the Leopards (1-1) struck first with a run in the opening inning, the Toros (1-1) responded right off the gate. Eric Smelko led off with a double and Pierson Loska drew a walk to setup Scott Ogrin with a three-run jack to right center field to give Dominguez Hills a 3-1 lead.
 
One inning later, Andrew Buglino hit a single to lead off and Loska, the 2019 CCAA Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-conference pick, launched a two-run shot to left field to extend the Toros' lead to 5-1.
 
Nate Ortiz, who got the starting nod on the mound, settled down after the first inning and pitched three shutout innings. He came up just an out short from being the pitcher of record. He pitched himself into a jam in the fifth with two outs which resulted three La Verne runs, but Matt Garcia picked up the starter with a strikeout to end the threat.
 
The combination of Isaac Mullins and Donovan Waitman went the rest of the way pitching shutout innings to secure the win.
 
Dominguez Hills now begin a home-away-home series with Concordia starting Friday at Toro Field. First pitch is at 1 p.m.