CARSON -- Junior newcomer
Nico Martinez had the debut of his career as the righty tossed a 7-inning no-hitter to begin his Cal State Dominguez Hills career to lead the Toros to an 8-0 win over New Mexico Highlands after CSUDH took an 8-4 decision in the opener.
This is the fifth no-hitter in program history, with Bret Montgomery the last to accomplish this feat during the 2010 season.
Martinez was the man of the hour, retiring the first 16 batters he faced before issuing a walk to break up a perfect-game bid on an 11-pitch battle. Unfazed, Martinez retired the final five batters he faced to earn his place in the CSUDH record book in his first-ever start at Toro Field.
Martinez fanned eight Cowboys in the masterpiece, netting just 87 pitches.
The combination of
Miguel Marin and
Anthony Accordino paced the offense as the duo combined to go 4-for-5 at the plate with 5 RBI and 3 runs scored, with
Vincent Temesvary crossing home plate twice.
The opener saw the guests plate three runs over the first three innings, only to have the Toros take the lead in the 3rd with four of their own, courtesy of a Temesvary RBI single, followed by Accordino's RBI single and Temesvary scoring on a passed ball. CSUDH took the lead for good after
Justin Abercrombie closed the scoring in the 3rd with an opposite field knock to right.
Marin cleared the bases with a booming double in the 7th, and came around to score after
Brock Denbo scorched his own double for the 8-spot.
Nate Ortiz picked up the win in relief, tossing 6.0 innings with eight strikeouts and just one earned run against.
The two teams continue the series tomorrow morning at 11 am as part of CSUDH's Homecoming festivities.
About Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics
The Toros are proud to be a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competing at the Division II level, bringing excitement and tradition to the campus through 10 different sports (4 Men's, 6 Women's). The program boasts 4 NCAA Championships, 2 NAIA National Titles, 10 NCAA West Region crowns and 34 CCAA Championships. CSUDH is one of 12 universities that competes in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the most prominent Division II conference in the nation with 155 NCAA National Championships, far more than any other conference in the nation.