Three Straight Homers Spark CSUN Victory

Cal State Northridge’s defending national champion baseball team opened up its 1985 season Friday afternoon with a 7-5 victory over Pt. Loma Nazarene College.

Northridge led, 4-0, after one inning thanks to consecutive home runs by Mark Ban, Paul Kaplan and Jerry Bernard.

Pt. Loma rallied and eventually tied the game, 4-4, in the top of the eighth inning before Northridge won it with three runs in the bottom of the inning two base hits, two walks, a wild pitch and an error.

For Northridge, Ban was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Bernard was 2 for 3, including a home run and a double. He also scored twice and drove in a run.

Northridge plays a team of alumni this afternoon at 1:30. Next Tuesday, it travels to USC for a meeting with the Trojans.