College Baseball : Northridge Slams USC, 6-1

Cal State Northridge catcher Jerry Bernard broke open a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a grand slam to give the Matadors a 6-1 victory Tuesday over USC.

In the inning, Northridge loaded the bases on a walk to Todd Mustin and consecutive singles by Tom McKay and Mark Ban. With two out, Bernard hit a Steve Bass pitch out of Dedeaux Field to put CSUN up, 4-0.

The Matadors lengthened their lead to 6-0 in the sixth when left fielder Darryl Gilliam scored on a fielder’s choice and Mustin stole home on a pick-off play at first. McKay, who took a lead off first, induced Bass to throw to the bag. When the Trojan pitcher made his move, Mustin took off for home.

Steve Sharts picked up his first win of the season for Northridge. Tom Harmon, a transfer from UCLA, relieved Sharts in the seventh and recorded his first save. Bass picked up the loss for the Trojans.

The victory improved Northridge’s record to 2-0, while the Trojans fell to 1-1.