CARSON, Calif,.- Cal State Dominguez Hills split Saturday's doubleheader with Chico State at Toro Field, falling 9-4 in the opener before responding with a 3-2 win in the nightcap. The Toros launched an early lead in Game 1 behind a home run and triple from Trey Winget but couldn't hold off a late rally by the Wildcats. In Game 2, Kaleb Castro delivered a clutch two-run triple to erase a 2-0 deficit, and Justin Abercrombie tossed a complete-game gem with nine strikeouts to secure the series-evening win.
Game 1 Recap
Cal State Dominguez Hills dropped the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Chico State, 9-4, despite an early lead and a strong start from the top of the order.
After Chico opened the scoring in the first, Trey Winget immediately responded by launching a solo home run in the bottom half to even the score. In the second, Winget tripled to drive in two more runs, giving the Toros a 3-1 lead. Winget finished the game going 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple, three RBIs and a walk. Cal State Dominguez Hills tied the game again in the fifth, but Chico took advantage of a costly error in the seventh to regain control with three unearned runs and added a two-run homer in the eighth to seal it.
Noah Karliner and Dalton Cram each added a double, while Kaleb Castro and Cram both reached base multiple times. On the mound, Trysten Eddy allowed four runs (all earned) over 3.1 innings before giving way to Chris Cornelius, who was charged with the loss.
Game 2 Recap
The Toros bounced back in game two, holding off the Wildcats 3-2 behind a dominant complete-game performance from Justin Abercrombie.
After Chico jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third, Cal State Dominguez Hills immediately answered back in the bottom half. Kaleb Castro tripled in two runs and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Nigel Buckley to give the Toros a 3-2 edge, which held for the remainder of the game. Abercrombie shut the door from there, allowing just two earned runs over seven innings while striking out nine to earn his eighth win of the season.
Karliner, Quinn Johnson, and Teige Barrett each collected hits, with Johnson adding a double to his line. Winget added a hit and a stolen base, continuing his productive series.
With the split, the Toros move to 25-14 overall and 21-10 in CCAA play, remaining among the top teams in the standings. The series finale is set for Sunday at noon. Prior to first pitch, members of the Cal State Dominguez Hills men's and women's basketball teams will throw out ceremonial first pitches to be honored for their historic 2024–25 seasons.
