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Toros Eke Out 13-10 Win Over Seawolves In Home Run Derby
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3/7/2010 1:02:10 PM
John Skala

SANTA ROSA -- The bottom of the Cal State Dominguez Hills batting order came up huge in a 13-10 decision over Sonoma State as No. 8 hitter John Skala (pictured) and last-man Dean Benavidez tabbed equal stat-lines of 2-of-5 efforts with three-RBI and one homer apiece to hand the Toros a last-inning win.

Tied at 10 in the final frame, Skala sent a deep single to left to bring in the game-winner after driving in the Toros' second and third runs on the day with a shot straight over center in the fourth.

Benavidez added the insurance runs after Skala's at-bat, bringing both safely home with a bomb over left-center for his third homer of the season, a team-high.

The hosts came up huge over the fence as well with four home runs on the day, the final and game-tying shot coming from Austin Hogans in the eighth, the third Seawolf homer that same inning.

Both hurlers made a stand early on with Seawolve starter Kendall Davis striking out the Toro side in in the first and David Fair returning the favor with two Ks himself.

In the fourth the home run derby got underway as Skala's two-RBI shot put the Toros up 3-0 before the hosts answered back in the bottom with three hits and four runs.

The Toros grabbed their second lead in the fifth using smart base running to grab five runs behind four singles and a lead-off double from Kevin Pillar.

Up 10-7 going into the bottom of the eighth, reliever Matt Phillips looked to pick up the win before SSU's big bats awoke with Joey Parigi, Kyle Jones and Austin Hogans scattering hits over all three outfield fences to tie up the game.

Behind Skala's game winner closer, Sean Wardour came in to shut down all four batters he faced before ending the game with the win.

Five Toros grabbed two hits apiece on the day led by Benavidez and Skala, with Carlos Leyva using his two hits to score twice.

The Toros, now 12-7 overall and 8-4 in the CCAA, will play host to Chapman University for a non-conference match-up this Wednesday at 2:00 pm.