Baseball

Broncos defeat Toros to move into championship game

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Cal Poly Pomona scored seven runs in the final three innings to earn an 8-5 win against Cal State Dominguez Hills and advance to the 2022 CCAA Baseball Tournament championship game.
 
Cal State Dominguez Hills built a 3-1 lead after four innings, and it looked like they would add on even more as the Toros put runners at second and third in the sixth inning with one out. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, relief pitcher Connor Tousignant induced a much-needed ground to third base. Tyler Chaffee came home for the force, and Johnny Pappas threw to first for the inning-ending double play.
 
That play seemed to wake the Broncos' bats, which scored four in the seventh. After AJ Nimeh walked to lead off the inning, Casey Slattery immediately followed with a game-tying, two-run homer. An error then allowed Pappas to reach, and both he and Cesar Lopez would come in to score on a double by Ricky Nunez.
 
Cal Poly Pomona tacked on two more in the eighth on a home run by Nimeh and a sacrifice fly by Pappas.
 
Eric Romo closed out the game as the Broncos' bullpen went the final 5.1 innings, allowing just two solo home runs. Tousignant (6-1) earned the win.
 
Slattery finished the game 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Nunez also knocked in two runs on a pair of hits, including a double. Anthony Accorddina went 3-for-4 with a home run. Scott Ogrin also homered for the Toros to break their single-season home run record.
 
Cal Poly Pomona will advance to Saturday's championship game. Cal State Dominguez Hills drops into the elimination bracket where it will face Cal State San Bernardino for the right to face Cal Poly Pomona in the championship. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.