SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team bounced back in a big way Saturday afternoon, earning an 11-3 win over Cal State Monterey Bay in Game 3 of the weekend series after dropping the first game of the doubleheader, 11-7. With the split, the Toros move to 23-13 overall and 19-8 in CCAA play, maintaining their position as one of the top teams in the conference standings with just under a month until the CCAA Tournament, hosted by Cal State LA on May 7.
Game 1 saw the Toros fall into an early 4-0 hole but rally to tie the game at 4-4 by the sixth inning, sparked by a two-run home run from Dylan Schumacher and a two-run single by Teige Barrett. The Otters responded with a seven-run outburst across the sixth and seventh innings to retake control. CSUDH added three more in the ninth, including Barrett's third RBI of the game, but the comeback came up short.
- Schumacher went 2-for-7 on the day with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
- Barrett finished the twin bill 3-for-8 with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
- Nigel Buckley led the offense with a 6-for-9 performance across both games, adding a double, an RBI, and three runs scored.
Dominguez Hills came out with renewed energy in Game 3, shaking off a three-run first inning from Monterey Bay and responding with five runs in the top of the second to flip the script. Emilio Barrera, Dalton Cram, and Kaleb Castro each drove in runs, while a sac bunt from Trey Winget brought in the go-ahead score.
- Cram powered the Game 3 victory, going 4-for-5 with a double, six RBIs, and two runs scored.
- Barrera contributed a 3-for-9 day with three RBIs and two runs scored.
- Noah Karliner added a 4-for-9 line that included a double, an RBI, and two runs scored.
The Toros added insurance in the fourth and blew things open with five more in the seventh, thanks to a two-run single from Barrera and another RBI knock by Cram. Evan Vazquez picked up the win on the mound, tossing 3.2 innings before the bullpen took over with 3.1 shutout frames to close it out.
- Vazquez allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out three in the Game 3 win.
With the CCAA Tournament on the horizon, the Toros continue to fine-tune their game and build momentum as they aim for a deep postseason run. CSUDH will look to even the series in Sunday's finale, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. in Seaside.