Tolliver Strikes Out Nine in 10-4 Win over Saddleback

In his three previous outings, sophomore pitcher Bruce Tolliver pitched well for the Dons (13-5, 3-3) but had yet to become eligible for a win. That changed in the Dons 10-4 win over Saddleback College as Tolliver picked up his first win of the season.

After allowing a leadoff hit, Tolliver retired the next two batters before picking off Josh Fuentes at second, the batter who got the hit to start the inning. Tolliver continued to cruise through his six innings of work with only a few blemishes against his line score.

Saddleback (6-10, 1-5) was able to draw three walks off Tolliver, two in the third inning, but only got one more hit. That one hit, however, was a solo home run by Noah Graham.

However, that home run came after the Dons staked Tolliver to a 6-0 lead with their offensive outburst in the second inning. Andy Peterson and Tyler Madrid provided the most fireworks in the six-run inning with each hitting a two-run double. Adrian Garcia and Blake Walker also picked up an RBI apiece in the frame.

Saddleback did manage to get to the Dons bullpen with three runs in the seventh inning to cut the score to 6-4. After being held to one run on two hits in six innings, the Gauchos got three runs on three hits before Garrett Wilson came in to shut down the rally.

The Dons came back with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to reestablish their lead at 9-4. Garcia singled in Dylan Jones before Trevor Magno plated Brandon Baxter and Garcia.

Magno brought the final run of the game across in the eighth inning when he reached on Saddleback's fifth error of the game allowing Jones to score from second.

Wilson remained in the game, assuming his closer role from last season, to pick up his first save of the season. He held the Gauchos scoreless and hitless over the final 2.1 innings.

Tolliver's final line was one run on two hits in six innings of work. He struck out nine batters while walking four.