Cal State Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Fall Report: Momentum in the South Bay

The 2025 campaign for the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros was defined by a steady climb back into the upper echelon of the CCAA. Under the guidance of Head Coach Tyler Wright, now entering his ninth season at the helm, the Toros authored their highest conference finish since 2010, securing second place in the standings with a 25-15 conference mark. The 29-22 overall record reflected a team that found its stride in pivotal moments, highlighted by a mid-March sweep of Cal Poly Pomona and a dominant series win against Cal State East Bay. While the season ultimately ended in the CCAA Tournament, it marked the program's second postseason appearance in four years and solidified a winning culture at Toro Field. Heading into the 2026 season, Wright and his staff face the challenge of replacing significant offensive production, but the program's recent momentum suggests they are hungry to take the final step toward their first regional appearance in over a decade.

The Offense

The Toros lineup underwent a massive shift this offseason, returning just 22.8% of last year's plate appearances. The cornerstone of the returning group is Quinn Johnson, a First Team All-CCAA selection who provides a veteran presence at the hot corner. Last season, in 176 ABs Johnson hit .324 with 10 doubles/12 HR and 42 RBI. He is joined by catcher Nigel Buckley, who earned Second Team All-CCAA honors as a freshman after showcasing elite defensive skills and a reliable bat. In 151 ABs Buckley hit .338 with 12 doubles/2 HR and 26 RBI. The most intriguing returning piece is Alex Sepulveda, who was an Honorable Mention All-CCAA pick in 2024 before an injury sidelined him for most of last year. In his limited action last spring, in 28 ABs Sepulveda hit .536 with 4 doubles/1 HR and 7 RBI.

To bolster the depth, Coach Wright dipped into the transfer portal, securing shortstop Ben Saitz from Sonoma State. Saitz arrives in Carson after a productive year where, in 124 ABs he hit .339 with 10 doubles. The Toros also added Angel Cortez, a utility player from Division I CSU Northridge, to add versatility to the roster. These new additions will be tasked with filling the void left by departures that accounted for a significant portion of the team's power numbers last spring.

The Pitching Staff

On the mound, the Toros find themselves in a much more stable position, retaining 55.4% of their total innings pitched from a year ago. The staff is led by First Team All-CCAA southpaw Julian Castro, who dominated in a relief role and is expected to anchor the back end of games again. Castro posted a 3-4 record with a 2.72 ERA in 53.0 IP while recording 4 saves. His ability to miss bats was evident in his 14.0% K% and a solid K/BB ratio of 3.33. In the rotation, Darren Roberts returns as a veteran presence after a Second Team All-CCAA campaign. Roberts finished with a 6-2 record with a 5.54 ERA in 66.2 IP, and his six wins ranked third in the conference. Evan Vazquez also returns after logging significant innings, posting a 4-3 record with a 7.55 ERA in 62.0 IP.

The incoming class features several arms with conference experience, including River Diaz de Leon and Tyler Ohlson, both transfers from San Francisco State. Diaz de Leon was efficient in relief, holding a 2-0 record with a 3.78 ERA in 16.2 IP. Ohlson added depth to the Gators' staff, recording a 1-1 record with a 5.16 ERA in 29.2 IP. Additionally, Jordan Townley joins from Cal State San Marcos after serving as a workhorse in their rotation, finishing with a 4-6 record with a 5.64 ERA in 59.0 IP.

Key Departures

The most significant loss for the program is Justin Abercrombie, the reigning CCAA Pitcher of the Year and ABCA First Team All-West Region selection, who transferred to the University of Utah. Abercrombie was a force on the mound, finishing with an 8-2 record with a 2.42 ERA in 63.1 IP while leading the conference in wins and ERA. Offensively, the team bids farewell to Noah Karliner, an Honorable Mention All-CCAA outfielder who provided power in the middle of the order. In 180 ABs Karliner hit .267 with 11 doubles/13 HR and 34 RBI. The Toros also lost Dylan Schumacher, who was a Second Team All-CCAA designated hitter. In 167 ABs Schumacher hit .359 with 12 doubles/8 HR and 35 RBI. Outfielder Trey Winget also departs after a Second Team All-CCAA season where, in 128 ABs he hit .312 with 12 doubles/10 HR and 29 RBI.

Schedule & Outlook

The 2026 schedule begins with an early test at Toro Field on January 30th as the Toros host Fresno Pacific for a four-game set. Fresno Pacific finished 23-28 last season and looks to bounce back in the PacWest. The early non-conference slate also features a home-and-home series against Concordia University Irvine, who ended last year at 22-26.

Conference play will define the season, and a major early-season clash occurs on March 6th when the Toros travel to face Chico State. The Wildcats were a 31-win team and a postseason qualifier last year, making this a critical series for regional positioning. Another key matchup arrives in late March as the Toros head to Pomona to face Cal Poly Pomona. Despite a down year in 2025 (15-34), the Broncos are historically a West Region heavyweight. April brings a homestand against Cal State San Marcos, a team that finished just behind the Toros in the 2025 standings with 25 wins. The regular season concludes at home against Cal State San Bernardino, a team that matched the Toros' overall win total of 29 a year ago. If the new-look offense can gel quickly with an experienced pitching staff, the Toros are well-positioned to build on last year's second-place finish and challenge for a regional bid.

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