Toros Break Slump, Sweep 3 From L.A.

After a six-game losing streak, the Cal State Dominguez Hills baseball team broke out of its slump last week and swept a three-game series against Cal State Los Angeles, including a 5-4 win Saturday at Toro Field.

The Toros improved their record to 16-19-2 overall and 8-13 in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. The Golden Eagles fell to 17-27 overall and 7-12 in the CCAA.

On Thursday, Dominguez Hills won at home, 7-0. On Friday, as visitors, the Toros won, 8-7, in 11 innings.

Dominguez Hills lost junior outfielder George Scott for the rest of the season when he tore ligaments in his left knee during a ninth-inning fight Friday night. Scott was hitting .354 with 23 runs batted in and 15 stolen bases.

The fight earned five players one-game suspensions: for the Toros, first baseman Darrell Conner, third baseman Fred Camarena and outfielder Robert Campbell; for Los Angeles, catcher Rex Carroll and outfielder John Gonzales.

On Saturday, the Golden Eagles opened the scoring in the first inning when third baseman Eddie Velezquez doubled in Will Picketts and Brent Bish.

The Toros cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the third when shortstop John Blood scored on a single by left fielder Mike Gabbani. But Los Angeles added a run in the sixth when Velazquez scored on a single by left fielder Doug Williams.

Dominguez Hills took the lead with three runs in the eighth, two on a single by Gabbani that drove in Blood and second baseman Miguel Medina. Then first baseman Bill Keep scored on a sacrifice fly by catcher Joey Townsend.

The Golden Eagles tied it, 4-4, in the top of the ninth on a home run by first baseman Marty Tourville.

The game-winner in the bottom of the inning was a single to left by senior outfielder Marty Williams that scored freshman third baseman Eric Shibley.

Todd Cook, a sophomore relief pitcher (1-0, with an 1.50 earned-run average) got the win for the Toros. Eddie Juarez (0-4) lost his second game in two days.

On Thursday, senior left-hander Armando Gomez (5-4, with a 3.16 ERA) pitched his first shutout this season for Dominguez Hills. Gabbani homered for the Toros, only the third round-tripper hit at Toro Field this season. Abdom Pinion (5-6) took the loss for the Golden Eagles.

On Friday, Keep’s dramatic lead-off homer in the 11th inning won the game for the Toros, who had scored five runs in the ninth on six hits, including three doubles, to tie it at 7-7. Senior right-hander Jamy Villa (3-3, with a 3.79 ERA) got the win with 3 1/3 innings of relief work. Juarez took the loss. Camarena led the Toros on offense with three hits in five at-bats, a double and two RBIs.