Toros to Challenge Chapman in 5-Game Baseball Series

Cal State Dominguez Hills and Chapman College open a crucial five-game California Collegiate Athletic Assn. baseball series this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in Orange.

The series spans two weekends. A sweep would enhance the playoff hopes of the winner and virtually eliminate the loser.

Dominguez Hills (4-4 in conference play, 9-8-1 overall), has lost five of its last seven games and is tied for third place in the CCAA, two games behind front-running UC Riverside. Chapman (3-4, 11-10) is 2 1/2 games off the pace.

Dominguez Hills lost to USC, 12-9, in a non-conference game Tuesday, while Chapman fell to Cal State Long Beach, 5-3.

The series moves to Dominguez Hills on Friday at 2:30 and returns to Chapman at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Dominguez Hills is at Chapman on March 23 at 2:30 p.m. and hosts Chapman on March 24 at 1 p.m.

Dominguez Hills has scored 40 runs in its last three games, but the Toro pitching staff has surrendered 43. The lone bright spot on the mound has been senior Armando Gomez, who is 4-0 with a 2.80 earned-run average. At the plate, designated hitter Fred Camarena (.443) leads the CCAA in batting.