CARSON, Calif. – Cal State Dominguez Hills rallied behind strong pitching and timely hitting to secure a 5-4 win over Cal Poly Pomona in the series opener Saturday afternoon at Toro Field. The Toros improved to 13-9 overall and 9-4 in CCAA play, using a big fifth inning and clutch relief pitching to hold off a late push from the Broncos.

The Broncos struck first, scoring two runs in the opening inning, but the Toros answered back in the second when Nigel Buckley doubled to left center, driving in Kaleb Castro to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Dominguez Hills took the lead in the fifth as Quinn Johnson launched a solo home run to left center, tying the game at 2-2. Teige Barrett followed with a clutch RBI triple to right center, bringing home Emilio Barrera to put the Toros ahead 3-2.

In the seventh, Barrera added to the lead with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Johnson to make it 4-2. Later in the inning, Castro worked a bases-loaded walk to extend the advantage to 5-2.

Pomona responded with two runs in the eighth, but Chris Cornelius sealed the win in the ninth, striking out three to earn his first save of the season.

Dylan Schumacher led the offense, going 3-for-4, while Barrera finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double. Johnson contributed a solo home run and two runs scored, and Buckley and Barrett each added an extra-base hit and an RBI.

On the mound, Darren Roberts (4-0) was dominant once again, throwing seven innings while allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Julian Castro and Cornelius combined for the final two frames, with Cornelius striking out three to close the game.

The Toros will continue the series on Sunday, March 16, with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. at Toro Field.