CARSON– Cal State Dominguez Hills scored 7 of its 8 runs in the first two innings to key their 8-3 series finale victory over the visiting SF State Gators. With the win, the Toros split the four-game series with SF State (10-12, 9-7 CCAA) who won the series' first two games.
The Toros scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning to take a 5-0 lead. Brady Conlan's one-out two-run home run in the second inning increased the hosts' lead to 7-0 in their half of the second inning.
SF State got on the board in the third inning when
Fernando Escobar's two-out single brought in
Andrew Breen in the Gator third. The visitors added another run in the fourth on a two-out run scoring triple by
Garrett Heisinger which scored
Bryce Cherry with the Gators' second run of the game.
Cal State Dominguez Hills (15-13, 10-10 CCAA) added its eighth run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Kamran Young.
The Gators cut the Toros' lead to 8-3 in the fifth inning.
Nick Jackson had a lead-off single and went to second when Escobar was hit by a pitch. With one out, Jackson
scored on
Mark Lindsay's fourth double of the season. Cherry then walked to load the bases, but the Toros' starter induced the next batter to ground out to an inning ending double play.
The guests had another chance to cut into the Toro lead in their half of the eighth inning. Cherry had a lead-off walk and went to second on a one-out single by
Matt Vera. Heisinger singled to load the bases, but the Toros induced the next SF State batter to ground out to an inning ending double play.
The Toros' TyRay Gatewood gave up a lead-off walk in the Gator ninth and then stranded him at first to preserve the hosts' 8-3 series finale win.
Heisinger had two of the Gators' six hits on the day while Conlan had three of the Toros' 10 hits.
Albert Flores (3-0) recorded the win in the start for the Toros, pitching 6 innings, giving up four hits and three runs (two earned) striking out two and walking two.
Preston Tarter (0-3) picked up the loss in the start for the Gators, while
Matthew Hernandez pitched 6.1 innings of relief, giving up six hits and three runs while striking out two.
SF State will return home this Friday, March 27 at 3pm to begin a four-game home and away series with Cal State Stanislaus. The series will move to Turlock on Saturday, March 28 at 1pm for a doubleheader. The two teams will finish the series at SF State a week from today for a single nine-inning game at Maloney Field with first pitch scheduled for 1pm.
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Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.
Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
