Mistake Pitches Cost Haslock a Save and Game for the Toros

Chris Haslock set a Cal State Dominguez Hills school record last season with 12 saves. Wednesday afternoon, a pair of mistake pitches against Cal State Los Angeles cost Haslock a chance to pick up his first save of this year.

Haslock inherited two baserunners in the top of the ninth after starter Bruce Vegely left with a 2-1 lead. But Los Angeles third baseman Ed Pimental drilled Haslock’s second pitch into left field for a double to allow the tying run. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, the big right-handed side-barmer hit pinch-hitter Greg Reid with his first delivery and forced in the go-ahead run, making in 3-2 Cal State L.A.

Dominguez Hills staged a late rally in the ninth when a single by Mike McCarthy gave them a second-and-third situation with two out. But Los Angeles reliever Rodney Windes got Rick Davis to strike out on a low fastball, and notched his second save in relief of starter Art Salas (2-2).

“I probably made a mistake in taking out Vegely,” said Dominguez Hills Coach Andy Lopez. “But Haslock has been outstanding. He’s here to pitch in those situations..”

The Toros, who played their first error-free game in 18 tries, dropped to 8-10 overall and 0-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Los Angeles improved to 9-13 and 1-0.

The Toros’ only runs came in the fifth from a pair of unlikely sources when McCarthy (.222 batting average) and Davis (.189) pieced together back-to-back doubles to give Vegely a 2-1 lead.

In the eighth, Bob Gonzales ripped a triple to right with two out to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. But Salas got Jeff Sears to strike out on a high fastball to end that threat.