CARSON, Calif. — The Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team used timely hitting and clutch pitching to take down No. 18 Cal State San Marcos in Game 1, before falling in the second half of Friday's doubleheader at Toro Diamond. The split brings the Toros to 30-21 overall and 17-15 in CCAA play with one week remaining in the regular season.

Game 1: Dominguez Hills 5, Cal State San Marcos 3

The Toros came out swinging in the opener, scoring early and rallying late to take down the nationally ranked Cougars. Alexis Aguado crossed the plate twice, and Torie Au drove her in during the first inning with a single up the middle. After a defensive miscue plated another run in the second, the Cougars responded with a pair of home runs to take a 3-2 lead by the fifth inning.

But Dominguez Hills delivered late-inning fireworks once again. In the bottom of the fifth, Lillianna Garcia reached base before Andrea Tellez launched a two-run homer to left field to give the Toros the lead. An RBI single from Mireya Rico in the sixth inning extended the margin to two. Garcia earned the win in the circle, and Ashley Ogata came on in relief to record the save.

Game 2: Cal State San Marcos 9, Dominguez Hills 1

Game 2 proved tougher for the Toros, as the Cougars broke open a four-run second inning and never looked back. Kaylee Hull put CSUDH on the board in the fourth with a solo home run to right center, marking her second homer in as many days. However, San Marcos piled on four more runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

Despite the loss, the day ended on a high note as the program celebrated its seven graduating seniors: #6 Alexis Aguado, #3 Julisa Gomez, #27 Mia Ayala, #23 Jay Ross, #2 Alani Nguyen, #15 Samantha Kwiatkowski, and #16 Kaylee Hull.

The Toros wrap up the series against the Cougars tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.