CARSON -- Looking for their first sweep over Cal State San Bernardino in six years despite being down 7-3 heading into the bottom of the 7th, the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros rallied for three runs in their final three at-bats but came up just short as the Yotes salvaged the final game of the series after CSUDH won the first three.

With the loss, CSUDH slips into 3rd place in the CCAA standings, and will travel to 1st place Chico State next weekend for a mid-season showdown.

Potential CCAA Player of the Year candidate Scott Ogrin continued his assault on CCAA pitching, hammering his 13th home run of the year in his first at-bat to keep him tied for the top spot on the conference.

That lead didn't last long, however, as CSUSB put up four in the 2nd inning and added a single run three innings later to take a 5-2 lead.

Pierson Loska got that single run back in CSUDH's 5th inning at-bat to score Grant Decatrel, only to have the Yotes answer with a pair in the 7th for a 7-3 lead.

That's when the Toros replied again, using an Anthony Accordino sacrifice fly, a Matthew Mecate RBI single to get to within two half an inning later.

Facing their final at-bat, Eric Smelko got the Toros started with a leadoff double in the bottom of the 9th.  After Ogrin drew a walk, the runners advanced on a passed ball, setting the stage for a sweep.

Coyote Oscar Rauda, however, fanned Loska, induced Accordino into an RBI ground out, and fanned Alberto Luevano to get out of the jam and salvage one game for the visitors.

Smelko pounded four hits and scored thrice, while Loska, Mecate and Caleb Ellis each banged two hits in the loss.

CSUDH travels to Chico State next weekend in a battle of top 3 league teams, with just 2.5 games separating the two teams.