CARSON, Calif. – The Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team battled through a pair of tough matchups but ultimately fell in both games of Friday's doubleheader against Cal State East Bay at Toro Diamond. The Toros came up just short in Game 1, losing 3-2 after a late rally by the Pioneers, before dropping Game 2 by a 9-0 score.

Game 1: 

The Toros held the lead for most of the opener, thanks to a second-inning solo home run from Mireya Rico. Strong pitching from Alivia Holden kept the Pioneers off the board through six innings before they mounted a seventh-inning comeback, scoring three runs to take a 3-1 lead.

Dominguez Hills fought back in the bottom half, as Gaby Gandara reached base and later scored on an RBI single from Jay Ross to cut the deficit to one. With the tying run on third, the rally fell short, as the Pioneers closed out the win.

Holden pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits before Ashley Ogata (7-8) took the loss in relief, giving up three earned runs in the seventh. Offensively, Rico led the way with a solo homer, while Ross and Samantha Kwiatkowski each added a hit.

Game 2: 

Game 2 proved to be a challenge for the Toros, as they were held to just three hits in a 9-0 loss in five innings. The Pioneers took control with a three-run third inning before adding six more in the fourth to put the game out of reach.

Dominguez Hills struggled to generate offense, with Alexis Aguado, Kaylee Hull, and Julissa Gomez recording the only hits for the Toros.

The pitching staff was tested as four different pitchers saw action. Ogata started the game, allowing three unearned runs in 2.1 innings, while Holden, Lillianna Garcia, and Ally Fuentes finished out the game.

The Toros will look to bounce back as they continue their series against Cal State East Bay with another doubleheader at Toro Diamond on Saturday, March 1, at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.