By Beth Renkoski
02/03/09
Toros Top Lions in Season-Opener
Brandon Godfrey |
Carson, Calif. - The hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros held on for a one-run win today against the Vanguard University Lions. Taking a 8-6 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Toros allowed a run in the top of the ninth but held on for the 8-7 nonconference win in Vanguard’s season-opener.
Following a scoreless first inning, the Lions jumped in front with a two-run second inning. Josh Manzano singled to lead off the inning and advanced on a Toro error on Keegan Freeman’s grounder. Manzano later scored on a groundout by Derek Craddock and Freeman came home on an RBI double by Mario Romero.
Senior Rich Jessup started on the mound for the Lions. Taking a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the second, Jessup allowed a pair of runs on three hits and a couple of Lion errors.
Tied 2-2 in the top of the third, Jason Schaniel singled for the Lions and moved to second on a two-out single by Manzano. Both men scored when junior Mike Anderson belted a three-run homer to put Vanguard ahead 5-2.
CSUDH answered in the bottom of the third as Toro designated hitter Paul Klingsberg and third baseman Sean Beckley slammed back-to-back solo home runs to chase Jessup. Brandon Godfrey took over on the mound and exited the jam, sending the Lions into the top of the fourth with a 5-4 cushion.
Jacob Wood homered in the fourth for the Lions but the Toros countered with a run in the bottom of the frame to remain down by a run, 6-5, after four complete innings.
Toro reliever Michael Cruz slammed the door on the Lions offensively from there and the Toro bats came alive against Godfrey in the fifth. Scoring two runs on three hits and a VU error, the Toros took a 7-6 lead. Adding a run in the sixth inning, the Toros carried an 8-6 advantage into the top of the ninth inning.
Schaniel picked up an RBI single for the Lions in the ninth but it would not be enough as Klingsberg, CSUDH’s fifth pitcher of the game, came in to record the final out and the save.
Cruz was credited with the win for Dominguez Hills and the Toros improve to 2-0 with today’s one-run victory.
Senior Chris Carls pitched two innings of shutout relief, but Godfrey was charged with Vanguard’s first loss of the season. Schaniel and Manzano made their Lion debuts by combining for five hits, three runs, and an RBI. Senior shortstop Zach Leighton collected two of VU’s 11 hits on the day.
Vanguard (0-1) returns to the diamond tomorrow for the home-opener against CSU San Marcos. The nonconference game begins at 2:00 p.m. on the VU Baseball Field.
Boxscore Use the following link to view livestats from today's game in Carson, California and thanks for following the Vanguard Lions.