CHICO – Facing the ultimate challenge in visiting 10^th-ranked Chico State, the Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team kept pace with the first-place team in the CCAA, but back-to-back 7-run innings doomed the Toros as the 'Cats slugged their way to a 15-8 series-opening win Friday evening.
 
The third-place Toros are being challenged at this point of their schedule, for it is the second straight opponent that is in the top four of the CCAA standings with Cal State Monterey Bay on deck next week.
 
Friday's defeat turned out to be the worse loss on the season for Dominguez Hills. The 15 runs allowed are the most this season.
 
Thirty-one hits were combined between the two ballclubs, including four home runs. Emilio Barrera hit one of those home runs that tied the game 4-4 in the fourth inning.
 
The top three of the lineup in Eric Smelko, Scott Ogrin and Pierson Loska had a pair of hits on the night. Alberto Luevano, Caleb Ellis and Barrera also had a multi-hit evening.
 
Pitching became a struggle for the Toros. Dylan Steen made it three innings giving up 10 of those runs, three of which he was on the hook when was taken out and followed by a grand slam by Elijah Jackson.
 
Chico's Ryan Tinsley also didn't make it that far either, giving up all eight of the runs the Toros had scored on nine hits and three walks.
 
The game saw the Wildcats jump ahead three times in the first 2.5 innings. The Toros would answer back and tie the game in the first 3.5 innings. But it was the fourth and fifth innings when the Wildcats slugged in seven runs each to set the tone of the game.
 
Both ballclubs clash again at Nettleton Stadium, the site of the 2022 CCAA Championships next month, on Saturday for the 9/7-inning doubleheader. Game one begins at noon.