DENVER, Colo. – Twenty-four hours after posting the first win of both the NCAA Division II Softball Championship and No. 8 Cal State Dominguez Hills' debut in the national stage, the Toros returned to Assembly Athletic Complex for the second round against No. 5 Rogers State.
 
But it was the fourth-ranked Hillcats to took advantage of a flat Toros team in a 10-2 result on a hot and humid Friday.
 
The Toros will transfer over to the tournament's second bracket and await either Adelphi or Seton Hall for a win-or-go-home situation Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PDT.
 
Going up against one of the best pitchers in Division II in Hillcats ace Andrea Morales, who came into the game with a 35-4 record with a 1.12 ERA and 336 strikeouts, the Toros were able to collect a dozen hits off her but left eight runners on base, especially in the fourth and sixth innings when the Toros had the bases loaded and less than one out in each frame.
 
Although Alyssa Olague retired the first inning in order, Rogers State went to work on the right-hander and put three runs on the board, highlighted by its home run leader Abbey Rogers, who crushed a pitch to deep left field.
 
The Toros cashed in their only run in the third inning, when Kianna Abellera's second hit of the game knocked in Kaylee Hull from third base.
 
Ashley Wies, Thursday's hero in the circle in the tournament opener against No. 1 UT Tyler, led the effort again by going four innings. She gave up three runs on six hits and three walks.