Catalano Walk-Off Single Gives Warriors’ 5-4 Series Finale Victory over CSUDH
TURLOCK, Calif.--- On the first pitch he saw from Derek Ryan, Chris Catalano hit a single up the middle to bring in Jackson Brooks with the game-winning run in Stan State's 5-4 series finale victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills. Catalano finished the day three-for-five with two runs batted in as the Warriors had eleven hits in the game. Austin Balentine (2-0) picked up the victory in relief for the victors.
Cal State Dominguez Hills (6-7, 3-1 CCAA) took the early 1-0 lead in its half of the fourth inning. Alex Sepulveda had a lead-off single and later scored on a Brett Castillo sacrifice fly. The Warriors took their first lead of the series with a two-run fourth. Alex Solis walked with one out and went to third on a double by Tyler Van Dyk. Solis scored on a Chris Catalano single through the left side. Van Dyk gave Stan State a 2-1 lead when he scored on a Robert Valdivia single to right field.
The Toros tied the game on a solo home run with one out by Anthony Accordino in the top of the sixth inning. The game remained tied at 2-2 until the Warrior half of the seventh.
Kyle Rachels had a one-out double to left center. With one out, he stole third and scored on a two-out run scoring single by Alex Solis to give Stan State a 3-2 lead.
CSUDH tied the game in its half of the eighth inning. Emilio Barrera led off the inning reaching on a drop fly ball by the Stan State outfielder. He later scored on a two-out run scoring single by CJ Masciel to tie the game at 3-3.
Stan State (5-7-1, 1-3 CCAA) retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Valdivia singled to left field. He went to second when pinch hitter Jonluke Goldman walked. Mac Cabero drove home Valdivia with a double to deep center field to give the Warriors a 4-3 lead.
Once again, the Toros tied the game in their half of the next half inning. Trey Winget drew a bases loaded walk. He stole second with two outs and scored when Barrera reached base on a drop fly ball to left field to tie the game at 4-4. Stan State reliever Austin Balentine (2-0) with two outs and runners on first and second induced the next Toro to foul out to the Warrior catcher Danny Murphy.
Jackson Brooks and Van Dyk led off the inning each reaching base on back-to-back walks. Cooper Winton came into pitch run for Van Dyk at first. On the first pitch he saw, Catalano drove home Brooks with a single to center field to give Stan State the 5-4 series finale victory.
WARRIOR HITTERS: The Warriors had eleven hits in the series finale. Chris Catalano was three-for-five with two runs batted in while Robert Valdivia was three-for-four with a run batted in and a run scored. Five other Warriors had one hit apiece in Kyle Rachels, Danny Murphy, Tyler Van Dyk, and Mac Cabero.
STAN STATE PITCHERS: In his first collegiate start, JoJo Keldsen recorded the no decision. He pitched six innings, giving up six hits, two runs, while striking out six and walking one. Caleb Bertoncini pitched two innings of relief, giving up two hits and one unearned run, striking out four, and walking one. Austin Balentine picked up the victory as he pitched the ninth. He gave up one hit, one unearned run, struck out two, and walked one.
UP NEXT: Stan State will return to the diamond in San Bernardino, Calif., for a four-game CCAA series with No. 11 Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes. The series will begin with a 2pm starting game on Friday, March 1. It will continue with a noon starting doubleheader on Saturday, March 2. The two teams will finish the series on Sunday, March 3 with an 11am starting game. Stan State will return home , March 8-10, for a four-game series with Chico State beginning with a 6pm single game on Friday, March 8.
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