Carson- The Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros fall short 0-2, in a double header against Fresno Pacific at home.
Game 1
The Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros fell to Fresno Pacific with a final score of 8-3. The game, characterized by Fresno Pacific's early lead and consistent offensive output, saw the Toros struggling to find their rhythm against the Sunbirds.
Fresno Pacific set the tone early, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding another in the second to take a quick 3-0 lead. Their offense continued to press, though Toros' pitchers managed to hold them scoreless through the middle innings, showcasing moments of resilience from their defense.
Despite the Toros' efforts to frustrate Fresno Pacific's hitters, they would break through again in the seventh inning with another run, extending their lead to 4-0. The Sunbirds' offense continued to find gaps in the Toros' defense, adding two runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to solidify their lead at 8-0.
Facing a significant deficit, CSUDH showed signs of life in the bottom of the eighth inning, rallying to score three runs and cut the lead to 8-3.
The Toros managed to tally five hits in the game but were hindered by two errors. The Sunbirds capitalized on their opportunities, amassing 15 hits and playing error-free baseball.
Evan Vasquez took the mound as the starting pitcher for Cal State Dominguez Hills, delivering a resilient performance over 5 innings. Vasquez allowed six hits and three runs, of which two were earned, while walking three and striking out two batters. Despite his efforts to contain Fresno Pacific's hitters, Vasquez was tagged with the loss, moving to 0-1 for the season.
Bryan Kraft followed Vasquez, pitching 3.2 innings in relief. Kraft faced significant pressure from Fresno Pacific's lineup, conceding eight hits and five runs, and managed to strike out five batters. Kraft's time on the mound was marked by a mix of strikeouts and groundouts.
Alex Sepulveda emerged as a key offensive player, driving in one run and scoring another. His two hits led the team, underlining his role as a crucial contributor in the Toros' lineup.
Dylan Schumacher provided a spark for the Toros, scoring one of the team's three runs. His performance at the plate included a hit and a walk, showcasing his ability to get on base and contribute to the team's scoring efforts.
Emilio Barrera added to the Toros' offensive efforts with a hit and two RBIs, contributing significantly to the team's three-run eighth inning. His timely hitting provided a glimmer of hope and underscored his importance to the lineup.
Game 2
In a dramatic showdown that saw Cal State Dominguez Hills nearly erase a six-run deficit, the Toros ultimately fell short against Fresno Pacific, 6-5. The game, decided within just seven innings, showcased the resilience of the Toros despite the early lead established by Fresno Pacific.
Fresno Pacific set the pace early in the game, scoring one run in the first inning and adding two more in the second to jump ahead to a 3-0 lead. They continued to build on their lead with another run in the fourth and two crucial runs in the seventh, extending their advantage to 6-0.
Facing a significant deficit, CSUDH mounted an impressive rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Toros' offense came alive, pushing across five runs in a thrilling comeback attempt that electrified the home crowd. However, despite their valiant effort and narrowing the score to just a single run, the Toros were unable to complete the comeback, ending the game at 6-5 in favor of Fresno Pacific.
Brett Castillo emerged as a key offensive player, contributing two hits and two RBIs, providing a much-needed boost to the Toros' lineup. His ability to deliver with runners in scoring position highlighted his importance to the team's offense.
Andrew Buglino and
Alex Sepulveda each drove in a run, with Buglino also scoring once, demonstrating their clutch hitting in critical moments. Buglino's RBI, alongside Sepulveda's, was pivotal in the Toros' late-game attempt to close the gap on Fresno Pacific's lead.
Emilio Barrera added to the Toros' efforts with a hit and a walk, scoring a run and contributing to the team's late rally. His performance at the plate and on the bases emphasized the Toros' determination to fight back.
CJ Masciel provided a spark for the Toros, managing to score one run off a hit and drawing a walk.
The Toros return to action tomorrow Sunday, February 11th at 11am for the series closer against the Fresno State Sunbirds.
