CARSON, Calif. – Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ryan DeJesus (Westlake Village, Calif., Westlake HS) pitched his first collegiate complete-game on Saturday, leading the San Francisco State baseball team to a 6-2 triumph over Cal State Dominguez Hills in game one of a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader at Toro Field. The Gators were unable to complete the sweep, however, dropping a 9-8 heartbreaker in the nightcap, which featured a combined eight errors.

 

With the split, the SF State moves to 6-6 on the year and 1-2 in conference play, while the Toros are now situated at 6-4 overall and 2-1 in the CCAA.

 

In the opener, the Gators jumped on top 1-0 in their half of the fourth when Nick Nyman (Susanville, Calif., Lassen College) scored on Ryan Williams '(Woodland, Calif., Yuba College) two-out RBI single to right field. Earlier, Nyman led off with a single and advanced to third on consecutive groundouts. 

 

SF State extended the margin to 3-0 lead in the sixth on Kevin Dultz (Altadena, Calif., Glendale College) two-run homer, his second of the year, which plated Nyman, who drew a lead-off walk. 

 

CSUDH scored its first run on Dean Benavidez's lead-off home run in the sixth inning. The Gators added three more runs in the top of the eighth inning. Geoff Downing (Half Moon Bay, Calif., New Mexico State Univ.) drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Nyman. Drew Andersen (Gilroy, Calif., William Penn Univ.) then walked and both runners subsequently advanced on a wild pitch. Dultz was up to bat and also walked to load the bases. Downing scored on a passed ball, while Andersen and Dultz touched the plate shortly thereafter on a double by Williams to give the Gators a 6-1 lead.

 

The Toros tried to rally in the ninth inning off of DeJesus, but they could only manage one run on Steve Carrillo's RBI ground out that scored Abel Medina. 

 

DeJesus (1-0) gave up just two runs, scattering five hits and a walk to along with four strikeouts in nine innings, while Shane Youngdale (1-1) absorbed the loss for CSUDH after allowing five runs on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts. 

 

Carlos Leyva and Medina each went 2-for-4 for the Toros, while Williams was 3-for-4 at the plate for the Purple and Gold with three RBI.  Nyman and Dultz finished with two runs apiece as well. 

 

SF State fell behind 6-0 in the fourth inning of game two before scoring eight runs over the next three innings to go out in front 8-6 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

 

Downing ignited the rally with his first home run as a Gator to lead off the fifth inning, while Nyman knocked in Ben Mielke (Arcata, Calif., Shasta College) with a sacrifice fly.

 

SF State erupted for four additional runs in the sixth to the tie the score at 6-6. With one out and the bases loaded, Downing singled in Williams, while Sean Proni came around from second on the play, courtesy of an error by left fielder Kevin Logan. Shortly thereafter, Downing crossed the plate after a miscue by Toro catcher Brian Sturgis, while pinch-runner Kyle Amick (Manteca, Calif., Sierra HS)scored on a wild pitch by Matt Phillips.

 

The Gators then went ahead in the top of the seventh on Williams' second homer of the year, a two-run blast down the left field line that brought in Dultz, who previously reached on an error by the third baseman Medina.

 

SF State was unable to protect its 8-6 lead, however, as CSUDH scored three times in the bottom of the frame to salvage a split. The Toros managed to load the bases on a walk and two Gator fielding errors. With one out, pinch-runner Jose Serrano scored on a wild pitch, while Kyle Pond followed with a two-run single down the right field line to win the game.

 

Phillips (2-0) struck out five in 1 2/3 innings of relief en route to the victory, while Nic Banaugh (Novato, Calif., College of Marin) (1-1) was saddled with the loss after yielding the two deciding runs in the seventh. 

 

Williams and Downing scored twice and drove in two runs apiece, while Kevin Pillar had three RBI in the winning effort.

 

SF State returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 23, with a non-conference game at Sonoma State beginning at 2 p.m.