Box Score: CSU Dominguez Hills 7, Coyotes 5

CARSON -- A four-run sixth inning rally by host Cal State Dominguez Hills was the difference Thursday afternoon as the Coyotes were dealt a 7-5 loss in the series opener.

CSUSB, now 25-17 overall and 22-15 CCAA, look to bounce back Friday when it returns here in the second game of the weekend series.

Leading 5-1 after 4 1/2 innings, the Toros (13-32, 9-28) came back with two runs in the fifth, then struck with the pivotal sixth inning.

Ethan Chapman and Jake Pilkerton each had two hits, but the Coyotes accounted for only three more -- one each by Brandon Day, Paul Eshleman and Mike Newell.

Sako Chapjian led off the sixth with a solo home run and Devon Ramirez connected on a two-run double -- both off Coyotes' ace Casey McCarthy (5-4).

With the scored tied at 1-1, the Coyotes seemed to take command with a three-run third. Day's one-out single scored Chapman, who singled. Two batters later, Eshleman singled to left to score Day. Edwin Mendoza earned the other RBI on a bases-loaded walk.

The Coyotes led 5-1 on a fifth-inning sacrifice fly by Mendoza, who scored Pilkerton.

Coyotes LHP Josh Lee threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief to keep his team in the game.