Box Score

By Aaron Castrejon
BroncoAthletics.com

POMONA, Calif. - The Cal Poly Pomona baseball team pulled off a dramatic 13-inning victory Thursday against Cal State Dominguez Hills, as a Mike Santora single scored pinch runner Allen Rodarte for the winning run.

The Broncos improve to 8-3 overall and 2-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Toros fall to 4-8 overall and 0-5 through league action.

Jake Reed earned the win Thursday for CPP, as he threw five scoreless innings in relief while only allowing one hit.

The Broncos went in to his week's series having lost their last three decisions and hoped to capitalize on the Toros' slow start to the 2011 season. CSUDH has fared much better against right-handers, hitting .304 as opposed to its .067 avg. against lefties and they tried to take full advantage of CPP righty starter Casey Yokubaitis.

The Toros would strike first by getting the leadoff hitter on base with a good bunt along third. Another successful bunt, this time by Jose Jauregui, got their man in scoring position. With two outs, Abel Medina hit a laser over Santora to score the first run.

In the bottom of the third inning with CSUDH leading 3-0, the Broncos would charge back. An error on a bunt attempt by Santora would allow him to reach safely and that's all Travis Taijeron needed to put the Broncos on the scoreboard. The centerfielder hit a two-run blast to left field to bring CPP within one.

The Toros displayed some good defense, especially in the fourth inning. Tyson Edwards shot a grounder along the first base side, which was promptly scooped up by Drew Rodela who tagged the base for the out. With Joseph Eusebio at the plate, Humberto Tovalin attempted to steal second base but was tagged out on a great throw by Jonathan Keener. In six innings, Yokubaitis would allow 11 hits, 4 runs and collect two strikeouts.

With Michael Parker on the mound for the Broncos, CSUDH would add two more runs to their lead in the seventh inning courtesy of a solid two-run single up the middle.

As Danny Torres came in on the relief effort for the Toros, CPP would surge back. Torres hit two consecutive batters to put runners at first and second. Once again Taijeron would deliver with a long double to center field, driving in two runs to cut CSUDH's lead 5-4.

With one out, Edwards smacked a double to left-center field to tie the game 5-5. Reed would take the mound for the Broncos and made quick work of the Toros in the ninth.

With daylight fading, the Broncos would make one last stand agains CSUDH. With two outs, Eusebio doubled down the third base line. Ryan Goodman pulled through and singled to left field putting runners on the corners. One solid hit was all CPP needed and Santora delivered a single to left, driving in Allan Rodarte, who ran for Eusebio, to bring the Broncos back from the brink.

“We just kept our heads in the game,” Taijeron said. “Betten taught us to keep working hard throughout the whole entire game. We've been preparing for stuff like this.”

The Broncos will take on the Toros once again on Friday at 12 p.m. at Scolinos Field.